If you are like most people, you have had some experience solving or working a jigsaw puzzle. What did you do first? You probably dumped out all the pieces and propped up the picture on the box so you could use it as a reference. The second step for most of us was to separate all the edge pieces from the others. Next, you worked to complete the edge, or the framework of the puzzle. After that you probably sorted all the other pieces by color and worked to place every piece in the proper location without forcing any of the pieces into places they would not easily go.
Think about how well you would have done if all the pieces were given to you without a box or a picture to reference as you worked. Suppose all the edge pieces were removed so you couldn’t tell how big and what shape the finished product would be. Suppose further that all the pieces were the gray color that is typical of the back side of the pieces. No edge, no size, no color, no reference point. How easy would it be to complete the puzzle?
The second scenario is pretty much the way most people go about trying to build a business by themselves. If you work with a mentor or instructor, you will realize along the way that the first important bit of advice or support will give you the “picture on the box”. That picture can be altered as you develop your business. However, it is a crucial first step in determining how big you want to grow. Starting small, with just a few clients, is the most common means of business startup. You can refine as you go, offering more services, products, or processes. In some cases, working for client (or customer) share is more beneficial than working for market share until you have a loyal base who will refer you.
One crucial tip may provide the “edge pieces” that you need to determine the various revenue streams that are available to you. Will your business rely on 1:1 work with a client base? Will you primarily speak to live audiences? If you speak to live audiences, do you offer ancillary products, a follow up process, or online support? If you offer online subscription services, do you include video and pdf materials? If you are not a speaker, but you do work with teams or individuals, could you develop the necessary presentation skills to speak to other groups in your area of expertise? Sometimes people who regularly lead meetings at work and facilitate discussions during staff meetings are tapped to speak to other groups. Would you be ready to do that? If you don’t believe you will ever speak to live groups, you might be called upon to write articles in your area. Could you save those? Would there be an opportunity to develop a newsletter? Would there be enough newsletters to create an ebook?
Another lesson may fill in “the color” to help you sort through all the options there are. Online research into your desired market will help you determine if there really is a market for what you want to do. If nobody is offering what you want to offer, either there is no market for it or you are the first to think of it. On the other hand, if lots of people are doing what you want to do, there must be a market. The next step for you would be to find out how many of them are local. Check out the competition. Can you be just a little bit different? Can you offer just a bit more service or a slightly different product or process?
I realize that there are more questions here than there are answers. That is intentional. I believe that the answers are within you. Go. Work a jigsaw puzzle and apply what you are doing to your business.
Cordially,
Alexis Mason
