Top Ten Ways To Generate Brilliant Ideas

An entrepreneur needs to be creative, constantly generating new ideas to move the business to the next level. An Australia-based motivational speaker and writer shares the ten best methods he uses to produce effective ideas.  

1. Define the Problem. To generate ideas to solve business problems we all need a starting point. You will not be able to fly from New York to Frankfurt, Germany until you first arrive at JFK. If you don't exactly know where you are you will need a map to pinpoint your current location and then gradually work your way to JFK airport.

It is imperative that you establish where you are before looking to progress. In other words study the map that will take you to New York thoroughly.

2. Brainstorming. You have quite probably heard of this brilliant method. Simply, when a group of people get together and simply write down as much as you can in relation to the objectives outlined. Don't worry about about strategic planning or anything like that. Concentrate solely on idea generation. Place a time limit on the group and choose the location and the time well so that they are conducive to performance.

Make sure that everybody is at their peak and has been instructed to "Think Big". I have been able to move mountains after a very healthy brainstorming
session.

3. Focus Entirely On What You Want. To give your ideas the best chance to sprout for your business solutions you are going to need to switch off to outside influences. Tolerate nothing!
Eradicate the distractions, the daily frustrations and predictable dramas of your life once and for all!

Don't just fix the problem, re-design your routine so the predictable irritations can't ever bother you again! 

4. Have a Genuine Interest in What You Are Trying to Solve. Do you remember your schooling days when you participated in sports (or particular class subjects) that you absolutely detested; as back then, they were compulsory? Do you remember how good you were at these activities? Probably not as it doesn't present itself as a good memory. But it's probably safe to say that you didn't perform well.

It's very very difficult to perform magnificently at something you're not overly fond of. If you have a vested interest in what it is you're trying to do, the likelihood of success is multiplied substantially. If you are trying to solve something that bores you to tears for heavens sake give it to someone who really likes it. This concept encompasses teamwork which is another
subject altogether. 

If you are self-employed you will have an automatic interest (taking into account that you have a vision of what you want your business to become). 

5. Look at Parallel Problems and Solutions. Relate your current problem to one that you had in the past and check for parallels between the two. The way(s) earlier problems were solved can assist you greatly in generating ideas to solve subsequent situations that present themselves.

Think laterally, think vertically, think logically. The best ideas will always come from groups working for the common goal. Give your group as much opportunity to be creative by listening twice as much as speaking. Do this as informally as possible and get past situations into the open.

You can then draw on the past successes and take them a step further with the challenge of today.

6. Look at Each Task as a Challenge. It's true that if you look at a problem simply as a "problem" then that is exactly how many will look at it. Sure it is a problem and therefore, needs a solution. However, this thought should not be in the forefront of the mind when looking to turn this "problem" into an "asset".

The word, "problem" tends to sum up negative thoughts within us. It is these negative thoughts that can almost act as a barrier to its resolution. Now if we turn the coin over and look at it from the other side (using our example in step 1) we can look at the trip from wherever we are to New York as an adventurous challenge. It is simply by this method that we have more positive thoughts within our mind and are more likely to enjoy ourselves along the way presented with an interesting challenge as opposed to a
potentially difficult problem.

Just look at the goal. How happy will you be when you arrive at Frankfurt?

7. Turn the Challenge/Problem into a Catchy Expression. Okay we have looked at using past example and creating parallels to "answer our challenge". One step further is to present the challenge as a
catchphrase.

Using our same example: 

'Aunty Jackies For Christmas'
'Frankfurt Or Bust' (Hmmm!! This one's a bit old)
'Europe For The Summer'
'Dream Trip Of A Lifetime' 
'The European Cultural Experience' 
'Tomorrow travel at 250kmh legally' 

Doing this will give everyone an idea of the benefits associated with the attainment of the problem at hand. It puts them in the situation that they are already there.

It's so much easier to get there with a popular vision on the mind. What expression would you suggest?

8. Daydream!!! Let Your Creative Subconscious Work For You. It's no strange coincidence that during the time you drive along staring out the window, sleep in your bed, undertake your daily duties at work or anything for that matter your sub-conscious continues to work for you (even though you may not always be fully aware of this).

How often have you been doing something totally unrelated and then suddenly an idea snaps into your mind? Often? Sometimes? Never? In any case after you have put considerable time into solving your problem you will find your inner mind will work for you. Sometimes if you try too hard to solve something you end up with nothing short of major frustration.

So, as the expression goes "chill out", have a break and sleep on it. You may be surprised at how successful switching off can be.

9. Alter Your Routine Regularly. Have you ever noticed how easily we accumulate habits. Many habits can actually stifle your creativity. If you are someone who: 

'travels the same route each day'
'work at the same desk and task day in day out'
'mix with the same people regularly' 
'take your annual holidays to the same destination each year' 

To continue generating healthy ideas to better our work, our surroundings, our family etc we must continually be looking for "newness". Familiarity is very good in that it makes us feel very very secure. It is this very security that closes our mind to change and restricts our creative abilities.

Take the bus or the train across town or maybe even just a different route from time to time, broaden your job responsibilities, take on another sport or leisure activity and meet some different people with a different outlook.

You will be quietly surprised at how much positive energy you will get from doing things as small as that outlined above.


10. Carry a Notepad. I always have a notepad with me. I am now at the point where I can't live without one of the most simple devices known to man, which has probably been around almost since the days of the "Cave Man".

A pen with a pocket size pad is brilliant as you can capture every idea that comes to you. It's absolutely useless to say "I'll write it down later" as the chances are very slim that you will in fact do that at all.

They will be your ideas. Capture them, preserve them, apply them.
by Darren Roberts


  

BIRTH OF THE ENTERPRENUER IN YOU

>>21 great business you can start fromyou backyard.
N/B:Before you start: the first thing you must do however, is some basic market research. Find out for yourself, first-hand, just how many people they are in your area who are interested in your proposed products or services, and would be willing to stand in line and pay money for it.

This is known as defining your market and pinpointing your customers. If after checking around telling about your ideas, with a whole lot of people over a period of 1 – 3 months, you get the idea that these people would be paying customers; your nest effort should be directly towards the "detailing" of your business plan.

The more precise and detailed your plan covering all the bases related to how you will do everything that you needs to be done- the easier is going to be for you to attain success. Such a plan show your start-up investment needs, your advertising plans, your product costs and procedures, your sales programme, and how your time would be allocated.

Too often enthusiastic and ambitious entrepreneurs jump in on an extra income project and suddenly find that the costs are beyond their abilities and the time requirement are more than they can meet.

It pays to lay it all out on paper before you get involved, clearer you can "see" everything before start. The better your chances for success. Have you always wanted to work at home using your backyard as an office but never had a clue of money making idea to pursue? Just one of these money-making idea can be your blueprint for success.

1. Rabbit Rearing: The domestic rabbit Orictolagus cunniculus, are prolific breeders, which produces large quantity of thirsty meat. Their rate of production is faster than that of pigs, goat or sheep. Rabbit have very short gestation period (27 – 33 days) and can rebreed immediately after giving birth.A breeding doe (Female) can produced at least 5 litters/year with an average of 6 kits/litters i.e. 30kits/doe/year if will manage under simple conditions with simple 15% mortality at most, about 25 of the kits will reach 3kg within 5 – 6 months.

2. Game Centers: one we will really need in this country is more leasure and entertainment. The game center concept is good both for those who have jobs and those who want full time involvement. A game centre is a place to which people mostly young come to play computer basic games like play station, Nintendo, Atari, etc. You will also provide avenues for refereshment like ice cream, snails drinks etc.Gaming centers businesses charge customers who come to their centers N100.00 – N500.00 depending on the area, and the types of customers you are dealing with. If you start small, you can make between N5,000 – N20,000 per day.

3. Fish Farmin: over the years, quite a few people have made fortunes from fish farming; as the population is swelling and protein need are far outstripping the available supply, Food is always a winner if done will. Fish farming is a sure bet business if you put the right structures in place. More and more people are to fish its low cholesterol protein, All you need do is to get a space, buy or construct tanks, buy finger lings for between N10 to n20 and feed them for 4 to 6 months, then sell from between N200 to N1.500 depending on weight and size you should be able to monitor the tanks for hygiene issues, if this is not managed well it could wipe out your investment.

4. Laundry/Ironing Service /clothes cleaning: Everyone has dirty clothes for laundry and ironing, but many of us do not have the time to do it all, this is where you would come in and make money by doing all the laundry and more audits are in the work force, leaving less and and time for the necessities in life to be done right or even done at all, if your backyard is large enough to store all the clothes, sort the clothes and start making money, then this business could just be for you.

5. Computer repairs: Advertise throughout your community for part-time office help, such' as computer engineers, software Engineers, so immediately you get a request call one of the engineers in you database, charge on commission basis, or if you have enough time with a little knowledge of computer, you can, follow the engineer to the destination, while you negotiate according to the level of the damage on such computers.

6. Housing service: By finding homes for tenants, you perform a valuable service for both landlords and tenants. Advertise that you have listings available for houses, apartments, flats, rooms, etc. You can either charge a one-time fee for finding accommodations or work on a commission.

7. Proofreading: A lot of publishing houses, independent writers seek the service of proof readers; some of them will prefer the service of part-time proofreaders since they cannot afford to pay the monthly salary of full-time proof readers. Make sure you have lists of proofreaders in your database, and get in touch with publishing houses; it is important that you advertise your service in a local newspaper.

8. Setting up unique home video distribution network: This is another income opportunity yet untapped by Nigerians. Nigerians like to watch films but they find it very difficult to go out but will be happy if somebody could bring such films to their houses at an extra cost. Make sure you employ an errand boy who will be in charge of helping you distribute such films to your clients. You can charge as much as Nl00 to N150 instead of the normal N60 since it is a home service

9. Generator repairs: Since power supply has not been constant in Nigeria over time, the demand for generators has been increasing everyday. Contact some generator repairers and tell them you, will soon be directing them to some corporate organizations; they will be happy to work with you since you are helping them to get more jobs.

10. Herb Farm: Herbs are tremendously popular these days-from the smallness shop to largest discount warehouse, you’ll find medicinal herbs, culinary herbs, and herbs teas, baths, candles and aromatherapy essences, you can start out small, growing your herbs in a large backyard or renting inexpensive land. You’ll need a solid working knowledge of growing and nurturing herbs. Your customers can be wholesale distributors buying for health product manufacturers, grocery chains and restaurants, or you can sell directly to these businesses yourself.

11. Carpet/Upholstery leaning: cleanliness is said to be next to godliness, A clean environment help keep germs at bay, and provides the individual with an aura o confidence and seif-esteem.We all know how hard it is keep the carpets/rugs, sofas clean, Having the equipment is half the battle: the rest is in building your reputation for being a caring and good cleaner. You do have a few options with this business: you can buy the equipment. There portable equipment you can put in a truck or a car. There is also truck-mounted equipment where you have larger machine and capacities for cleaning a larger place to spread the rugs and carpets will be an advantage.

12. Firewood Service: with the price of both fuel and oil rising, many people Turing back to wood are stoves and fireplace to cook their food. Wood is easy to burn and is less expensive compared to both fuel and oil gas. if you have access to any type of timber, woodland and trees, you can make your backyard a cash cowprovidingg chopped and split wood to those who are using wood for cooking, you need a few things like chain saw, axe ropes, but these are rather minimal compared to those or what you can be making. You will be responsible for setting. If you are not wrong enough you can hire somebody to do this for you. You will deliver wood to houses and retailers.

13. Chalk production: the chalk manufacturing business is a very lucrative in Nigeria today because the market is large and the supplies are few. Chalk is used by private and business schools, university and polytechnic, college of education, college of agriculture, and schools of nursing Etc. most of the very few chalk producers today hardly produce standard chalk because they like expertise. You can do this business right from your backyard it can be a one man business, a family business or an enterprise.

14. Set Up A Small Poultry: poultry is a business you can start from your backyard with 50 to 500 bird, which cost between N100, 000, to N300,000 depending on cash at hand, these amounts include cost of bird, the pen, feed and medicantion,Get somebody who is experienced to help you set up the pen. You can source woods directly from sawmill to lower the cost. Waste management in poultry is very vital, if not properly handled it will affect the growth, production, and bird performance whatever aspect of poultry you intend to go into profitable. A single bird can give you an average of 730 eggs within 2years before you sell it off for say N500 or N600.

15. Production of candle: With erratic power supply in the country, there is no doubt that production of candlestick is a money-spinner. A sizeable group of Nigeria relies solely on candle to battle the erratic power supply. With N10, 000 you can have a candle mould, which produces 16 candled sticks at a time and go about 50 times a day translating into 800 per day. This is a situation when you are starting with N20, 000-25,000 to produce the 16 pieces does not take you more than 10 minutes; throw in another wax, which you must have melted. While the previous one congeals and go on and. So instead of starting with N100, 000-N200, 000, you can actually start with N25, 000. Te start up requirement are mold, which cost N10,000, wax N1,000, Thread N1,000, heart source N600,Bowi Packaging Nylons N1,500, Ceiling Machine N2,000and logistics.

16. Grass-cutter Farming: Grass-cutter is the second largest rodent in Nigeria and it is endemic inAfrica.It breeds successfully in captivity and is capable of reproducing twice a year with litter size varying from two to six. They are primarily vegetarians and can be raised to maturity entirely on fresh grasses. They prefer plants with high moisture content And soluble carbohydrate. Field student reveal that they do not burrow so they many be caged or reared in a fenced pen on the ground.Gras-cuttter are worth considering for husbandry in the humid forest where poor grazing and harsh environment limits the performance of conventional lives to

17. Liquid Air Freshener production: liquid air freshener is a production that plays a strategic role in home, office etc. Its demand cuts across sex, age, groups and social strata. These products can be prepared from your backyard as all the chemicals involved are user friendly. Machines in small or medium scale. All the chemicals required are locally availably all year round. It is also heart-warming to know that the product technology is a very simple one. This product that has 80% water content has a high profit yield. There are high qualities and well-designee plastics containers that will give the give the product like this an irresistible finishing touch and they are all locally available.

18. Snail Farming: snail meat has been severally affirmed as a very safe and nutritious delicacy. In these days of increased coronary implications and other health implication, snail –producers are certain to hit it big because many people are shunning away from beef or red meat. It is also pleasing to note that snail production venture could be kicksarted with a little initial capital. The best period to commence snail are recommended. You can get these snails from the market throughout the country, or from snail’s farmers. Snails are price depends on the size the bigger ones are sold for between N1, 800-N3, 000 per bunch. It is better to buy the big ones because they can hatch after about 35 days on they location. About N10, 000 should get a new entrant started in the businesses.

19. Production of Carbon Black: Readly market and cash is waiting for you if you can product are used for water purification. The water factories cannot refine their water without using activated carbon. Already, many companies are demanding for this product in Europe. The request is now enormous. Many Nigerians companies are still importing this product. The raw materials are available in Nigerian. A ton of palm kernel chaff is between N1, 000 to N2, 000 while the finished product is sold for N18, 000 to N20, 000 with the machine; you can be producing over 10 tons in four days and earning over 200,000 in a month.

20. Platain Chips: After removing the skin, unripe fruit can be sliced (1 or 2 mmthick) and fried in oil to produce chips. If the chips are made from sweeter fruits, they are called vertically to create a variation know as planting strips. Just make sure you put your lbel.The more you produce. The more money you make, because majority of Nigerians love plantain chips.

21. Start an Aquarium Business: An aquarium business is a great backyard-based business idea. Two common directions taken by people here are fish breeding and aquarium maintenance services. An aquarium business is not just a skill-based business. It requires a decent investment in equipment because most people who want to buy an aquarium will want choices. You need to present to the client various options such as a small, round or rectangular aquarium that has a corner of a room or a small aquarium that can be fitted into the wall, and others. You can charge as much as N20, to N100, 000.

Pick an idea now, execute your plan, and earn me money with a business you love.
For more information send an e-mail to odunet2000@yahoo.com

LESSONS ON DESIGNING A WEBSITE, THE FOUNDATION OF MAKING MONEY ONLINE.

Designing a web site specifically designed to sell your product isan essential part of your success. Everything within your web siteshould have one specific purpose -- getting your visitor to take action.

Creating a professional web site specifically designed to sell willtake a great deal of time and effort, as there is much more to takeinto consideration than just the design. You must look at a muchbroader picture and plan each step very carefully.

Every part of your web site must be strategically designed, fromyour overall design to your sales copy; each will play a veryimportant role. Your visitor's first impression will almostinstantly determine whether or not you're going to make a sale.

Basic Web Site Design Guidelines

Your web site should be simple in design with the navigationallinks placed at the top, left or right side of the page. It shouldbe designed in standard HTML with no Flash or fancy plug-ins andvery few graphics. Unless your graphics specifically pertain toyour product or enhance your site, you probably shouldn't includethem. Your web site should load very quickly and each additionalgraphic will add additional load time. In addition, there should beno banners or outside links of any kind -- nothing that willdistract your visitor's attention.

Search Engine Ranking

You must specifically design your web site to rank high in theSearch Engines. This involves much more than just including METAtags. Your design, text, title and image alt tags all play a veryimportant role in determining how your web site will rank.

Title - Your "Title" should contain your most important keywordphrase that you think potential visitors will use when performing asearch.

Description - Your description should contain your most importantkeyword phrase and describe your product in detail. You want yourpotential visitors to know exactly what you're offering. Yourdescription should be less than 200 characters.

Keywords - Select the most appropriate keyword phrases that youfeel your potential visitors will use when performing a search -the more targeted the better.You can download a great little freeware program called, GoodKeywords http://www.goodkeywords.com. This program will assist youin developing a list of targeted keywords for your web site. Inaddition, it also includes a site popularity tool that enables youto check your site's popularity.

Heading tags - Search Engines pay close attention to the textdisplayed within the "Heading" tags. Place your most importantkeyword phrase within a "Heading" tag.

Graphic Alt tags - Your graphics should relate to your web site andenhance your users' experience. In addition, your graphics shouldpertain to your most relevant keyword phrases. Place a readablesentence that explains what the image is and contains your keywordphrase within each of your graphic "Alt" tags. For example, if yourweb site focuses on dog grooming, your graphics should also pertainto dog grooming.

Text - All of your keywords and keyword phrases should appearthroughout your text. If any of the keywords you placed within yourMETA tags do not appear within your text, the Search Engines willignore them. Your keyword phrases should appear at least threetimes within your text, but no more than seven.

Another consideration of great importance is the use of "Tables."If you'd like to set up your web site using tables, try to placeyour "Heading" text above your "Table" code. If this isn'tpossible, make sure you include your keyword phrases within yourtop left "Table cell" to assist you in ranking higher in the SearchEngines.

One final note, always place your most important information abovethe fold of your web page. This is the top portion of your web pagethat is visible when your page is first loaded, without scrolling.This is the most important part of your entire page -- use it wisely.

Your web site is your product's storefront and will play a veryimportant roll in determining your success. Take your time and doyour homework before you begin. You may be pleasantly surprisedwith the outcome.

Culled from Designing a Web Site By Shelley Lowery.

THE BUSINESS OF COMPUTER GRAPHICS, "TURNING ART TO CASH"

The above title, readily brings to mind the memories of; coreldraw, photoshop, macromedia flah, etc. Those are actually the softwares that are involved, okay maybe you could include the 3D softwares like Maya, 3Dmax, etc. The business of computer arts invoves alot more, and is quite profitable. Imagine designing an animation for Etisalat or designing a brand logo or product logo for GTBank. Yeah, did i hear you say making ends meet. For more information send an email to odunet2000@yahoo.com for comprehensive details on the business part for these already involved in computer graphics or total tutorial packages for beginners.

THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW

We all need moments of reflecting in our life. During one of mine, this came into my mind; We could pretty much achieve anything we want, but we must recognise that it's not the burden of life that weigh us down but how we handle them.

You don't need flip that paper again,"Just scroll the e-book"`

We have come of age, and technology isn't sitting behind either. We need not flip that book no more, no more worries about the burden of carring your library every where and days of wear and tear on books are far gone. All these are replaced by " E-BOOKS". They are cheap, wear resistanant, mobile and portable ( an entire library could fit into your pocket ).

The idea of this is definitely a dream come true. It also promotes my motto "Make everything as simple as possible".

For more infomation on how to obtain cheap e-books on various topics; visit odunet2000.blogspot.com or send an email to odunet2000@yahoo.com

Gold mother of all investment.

This metallic material has been there all through time, ever since records were keep. And not once has it been invaluable. Men have fought and died for it.

Turning Gold Into Money: Gold is one of the most dynamic elements of the modern economy and some might find it funny that the oldest form of valuing physical commodities is still thriving today. The first gold coins were produced in 700 BC and since then the precious metal has been used as the primary exchange element. The fact that gold was scarce and highly valued made it the perfect means of exchange, regardless of what the exchanged items were. The history of gold turning into money spans over a period of 2600 years and the turning point in gold’s history is the year 1971.

How Did Gold Become Paper? Throughout history, gold and silver coins went through a process of debauching. Such coins began to be created out of gold and other metals, thus making the values of the actual coinage fluctuate in time. The process of turning physical gold into money began when goldsmiths, who used to store gold for other society members for a fee, started to issue receipts for their storage. The receipts idea spread quickly as it was more convenient than carrying the actual metal with them, so people began to get accustomed to the idea of paper money. Goldsmiths gradually turned into bankers and the currency evolutionary process continued developing.

An interesting evolution of gold prices began in 1934, when gold was priced at $ 20. In the period until 1971, the gold price remained around $35. However, with the changes that occurred in the global economy, gold prices reached $300 and they remained above or very near this threshold. Various factors in the geopolitical world had their influences on the evolution of modern gold prices.

I GUESS THINK YOUR ARE THINKING OKAY THIS IS TRUE, BUT WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THIS INFOMATION? ANSWER INVEST IN THESE EVALASTING REAR METALS, I BET YOU AND YOUR GENERATION UNBORN WILL NOT REGRET IT.