An Introduction to the Business Management Series
The ScanSource Business Growth Framework is a series of blogs designed to train and equip you to develop a comprehensive business plan. Once completed, you will have the tools necessary to complete a...
View ArticlePersonal Goals Series Overview
The expression “begin with the end in mind” has never held truer than when planning and developing a successful business. As with any trip, you need to carefully consider where you want to go and what...
View ArticlePersonal Goals Chapter 1: Defining What You Want
One of the most critical questions you can ask is this: “Why did you start your company?” Was it money? Fame? Fortune? Better than getting a job? Were you tired of the “man” keeping you down? Believe...
View ArticlePersonal Goals Chapter 2: Making Meaning
Okay, we have talked about defining what you want, what factors to consider when answering the question and the entrepreneurial process that one follows when starting a business. The next step is to...
View ArticlePersonal Goals Chapter 3: Mission Statement vs. Mantra
Okay, we have reviewed the basics of knowing what you want and defining how your organization makes meaning. In this module, we will discuss the wonders of having a mantra for your organization. Before...
View ArticlePersonal Goals Chapter 4: Weaving a MAT
Let’s review our progress. We have covered what your personal goals are for your business, we addressed how your organization makes meaning and we discussed how to leverage mantra to motivate your...
View ArticlePersonal Goals Chapter 5: Writing a Business Plan
The Small Business Association website (www.sba.gov) defines a business plan as “a blueprint and communication tool for your business. A device to help you…explain how you intend to operate your...
View ArticlePersonal Goals Chapter 6: Profit Corporation – A Case Study
Let’s take a look at how Profit Corp addressed the modules in this step of the Business Development Framework: Personal Goals: John’s personal goals are to grow a successful IT firm that services the...
View ArticlePersonal Goals Conclusion & Frequently Asked Questions
When should I look at giving up on my business? This is a very tough question. Unfortunately, only you can really know when it is time to give up on a business and start again. Some say that...
View ArticleAn Introduction to Defining Your Market
In thinking about conducting meaningful market analysis, it will be helpful to think of it in terms of market opportunity. So what exactly is market opportunity? You could ask that question of twenty...
View ArticleMarket Opportunity Chapter One: Identifying a Market Opportunity
When identifying market opportunity, it is first important to examine the difference between an idea and opportunity. An idea is a thought or hypothesis about how your business can make money. Ideas...
View ArticleMarket Opportunity Chapter Two: Product Development: Testing Market Viability
Opportunities exist or are created and have what Harvard Business School professor Jeffrey Timmons calls a “window of opportunity”. The “window of opportunity” is the best time for an entrepreneur to...
View ArticleMarket Opportunity Chapter Three: Customers and Verticals
We have closely looked at market opportunity, how to spot new market opportunities and criteria for evaluating market opportunities. In this chapter, we take a closer look at defining your customers...
View ArticleMarket Opportunity Chapter Four: Product and Services Offering
To review, we have covered what market opportunity is, how to identify market opportunity, how to test for viability, defining your customers and total addressable market. The next step is to define...
View ArticleMarket Opportunity Chapter Five: Positioning Your Business
Positioning your business may seem like an unnatural act best suited for marketing companies, but (in reality) it goes beyond consultants and meetings. Strong positioning represents the heart and soul...
View ArticleMarket Opportunity Chapter Six: Defining A Value Proposition
A value proposition is simply a document or statement that clearly defines why your company is unique and how it provides value to customers. Unlike a positioning statement, (which admittedly is...
View ArticleMarket Opportunity Chapter Seven: Writing a Business Plan
In this series, we have reviewed market opportunity and your company’s value proposition, product and services offerings and positioning statement. Now add the elements we discussed in the “Step...
View ArticleMarket Opportunity Chapter Eight: Profit Corporation – A Case Study
Let’s take a look at how Profit Corp addressed the chapters in this step of the series: Market Opportunity: John Smith, Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Profit Corporation recognized that there is a...
View ArticleMarket Opportunity Conclusion & Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I apply the ability to spot market opportunities to my business? By being able to spot new market opportunities early and understanding the “window of opportunity”, you will be able to grow...
View ArticleBusiness Operations Chapter One: Pro Forma Projections
One of the best ways to balance your infrastructure investments with revenue and gross profits is to develop basic costs and earning projections. Admittedly, this is where many entrepreneurs start to...
View Article
