Some Clear Thinking.

I found this article on Entrepreneur.com, which in contrast to a lot of the business articles and web sites I've come across, have tempered their enthusiasm with a solid understanding and realistic presentation of the issues facing anyonr starting a new business

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220531

I've just about finished the concept stage of my own business plan and have a concrete idea of what my principal offering will be to clients.
I would encourage anyone with a business idea to spent the time at this stage to think around and beyond your original idea. Stretch it beyond what you think is plausable and you might be supprised what you find is possible.
This is the time for the 1% inspiration; the 99% perspiration come next!

get it straight in your head.

I went looking on the web for some good ideas about how to get this concept of a business idea I have in my head out of there, and down on paper, as a realistic idea of what would make an appealing business offering to potential clients. Some advice on honing your initial ideas into a working model of what you will be offering, and what you will base the rest of your business plan off.

This is an important first step for getting your idea straight in your head.
Having it in black and white in front of you gives your ideas a life of their own for the first time.
It enables you to start the critical process of evaluating your initial thoughts and can be the catlyast for a whole flood of further ideas.

Unfortunately, the article below is a good example of the guff that seems to surround the whole area of business startup and what it takes to run your own business.
Not that there aren't some good points made in the article, but the whole thing is enveloped in this over the top, evangelical language that would scare superman away from starting a window cleaning service.

Who wants to be an entrepreneur? - Latest developments for start-ups – Bizstartup.ie

There’s a lot more to being a successful entrepreneur than being self-employed. Emma Wimhurst, UK-based entrepreneur and business mentor, shares her insights into what it takes.

...STARTING FROM SCRATCH

Many a profitable business has been started from a scratch of the head and a puzzled look on a face.

Being faced with a problem that there’s no ready-made solution for can be the stimulus for a great business idea.

Figuring out the solution to your own problem and realising that there are other people out there in the same situation, willing to pay for a solution, is the first step in every business, no matter how big or small.

Problems can come in all shapes and sizes, from thirst to boredom to leaky pipes to making tough decisions.But so can the solutions, and the businesses who supply those solutions.

How do I know this?

Well, after opening my own business at 21 and running that for over 9 years, I went back to college, got my degree and have worked as a management accountant in small and medium enterprises since 2003.

So I know how hard it is to get an idea out of your head and into reality, I know the day to day slog of keeping a business going in the face of endless regulation and red tape, while still trying to focus on your customers. I know there are better ways to do business and there are things you can do to make it easier on you to manage your business.

And now I’m starting again, but this time I hope to make your business, my business!

This blog will follow my progress in starting my own business providing advice, training and practical services to people starting a small business or moving to self-employment.

Feel free to make a comment, ask a question or just get in touch with your ideas.