Top 10 Small Business Ideas for 2012

Starting a small business takes a lot of planning and the ability to execute your business plans. Though it doesn't require a big capital for a small business however you cannot lose your capital as this will cause a serious trouble on the financial front at the same time your future expansion plans. If you have knowledge about how to run a business successfully, you won't be able to take a wrong move that can affect your business plans. Before we go on further to the small business ideas, refer to the tips for running a small business.

• Can it sustain your everyday expenses and can it profit you.

• Can it raise enough funds to get it running for a long time and can become a profitable venture.

• Is it something that is needed everyday and does it has an appeal to sell on a steady basis?

• Is it something that you know how to do and can you do it well?

• Is it something that you like to do and doesn't mind you at all doing it over and over again?

Now that we know our objective in putting up a small business let's go forward and see what are the best idea for small business this 2012.

1. Online business - this may include article writing/blogging, virtual assistant, translator, copy writer or bookkeeper, data entry, etc. This is one of the ideal business ideas for beginners would be to take advantage of various online business opportunities. By doing online data entry and online paid survey jobs, you can earn money per hour for your work. The more accuracy and consistency you show in your job, the more work you will get.

2. Mobile apps development - almost all people nowadays possesses a mobile phone and included on the mobile phone is application that people always uses. Calendars, Alarm Clocks, notepads are some example of applications that are commonly downloaded. Whether this is a businessman, a politician, an artist or just an ordinary person has a lot or even tons of mobile application.

3. Make-up artist or hair salons - Providing either makeup artist services or hair salons is yet another interesting small business idea. Makeup artists are in great demand in the fashion and entertainment industry. If you have the required makeup skills and talent, you can start your own company and do the makeup of television and movie stars. By providing good service, you can get long-term contracts which will increase your revenues greatly. The great thing about hair salons is that they are a sure thing. No matter how dismal the economic climate, women will still scrape together the money to get their hair done, even if they have to let their nails go. So hair salons with talented stylists and well-priced services will still be real money makers.

4. Cleaning services (pool, yard, garage etc.) - A cleaning service is a good business proposition for a person who relishes the idea of cleaning apartments, homes and commercial establishments. Housekeeping is an art and people are typically deterred by the prospect of getting grease, tough stains and odors out of carpets, keeping their bathroom clean and eliminating odors from their refrigerator. Hence, a cleaning service can be a steady source of income assuming that there are no immediate competitors. Otherwise, one would have to spend money on advertising and this may eat into one's profits. Cleaning services can operate round the clock since residential apartments are generally cleaned during the day while commercial buildings are cleaned after office-hours. Considering that cleaning services earn popularity and goodwill through word of mouth, a job that is well done will rarely go unnoticed.

5. Elder assistant or baby sitting - being a babysitter doesn't require you to have a license, with more parents needing to work and offering a home based child care can be a great way of starting your own business while taking care of your own kids too. The growing numbers of senior baby boomers also provide growing business opportunities for senior care. In-home care and senior residences are the obvious ones, but don't forget all the related opportunities such as driving, delivery, catering and cleaning services for seniors who want to stay in their homes. You can certainly develop your own business providing care for seniors.

6. Recycler - the best thing of being a recycler is that you're not just earning your own money and you're also helping the environment. Average homeowner doesn't always know where or how to recycle the stuff they've got. A pickup truck are all you'd need to start buying or simply offering to remove scrap metal, old computers, electronics, ink cartridges and other recyclable materials.

7. Event management/party planner - Event management or party planning can also be a good option for a small business. Event planners have to organize a particular event by taking into consideration the suggestions given by their clients. This job requires creativity, patience and ability to get work done from people on time. It can help you be a successful event planner if have a good team of creative professional that can help you organize the event under you.

8. Online selling - whether this is a pre-loved or brand-new stuff you can still earn big bucks. This is being popularized by e-bay. There are still some people who have a whole lot of money and are willing to spend it on the name products that matter. Luxury handbags, scarves, and shoes for women are still selling well, for instance.

9. Social media consultants - With the ever rising of the social media era and the giant social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and You tube, businesses have been taking advantage of this to gain more exposure for their brands and products. With more than 800 million active users in Facebook alone, business promotion in this top social networking site is now a priority for business owners and marketers. If you have the social media marketing skills that can outsource likes and follows for your client's business, then this business can help you earn cold cash on the Internet.

10. Pet related services such as pet sitter, pet cleaning and grooming services - Most Canadians and Americans loves pet especially dogs and feeding, caring for them and pampering their pooches a spending priority. Kennels, doggie daycare, dog treat bakeries and dog resorts are few of the things that you may want to venture in.

These are not necessarily ideas for businesses that anyone can start however you can get some idea on the list above. But in my opinion, these are business opportunities that are going to provide real chances to make money in 2012 and beyond. Business that is done right, in the right place and for the right people may be profitable enterprises for years to come. If you've been considering a sale in 2012, take your time and do it right. Plan ahead, research your market and stand out from the competition. Knowing the sales process is half the battle. With proper preparation, you can ensure a stress free transition and a financially successful exit from your business.

More detailed information and useful advice can be found at http://www.funded.com/ Created by Mark Favre, it offers expertise and assistance with developing and funding your concept, including a private forum for queries and discussions. If you need access to investors and funding providers, please do check our website.

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Ten Rules to Follow for Small Business Success

You may have been looking at several entrepreneurs who run small businesses as easy as breathing. You may have also thought if you could do it yourself and get away from the boring 9-5 life.

Well, fret no more as there only 10 easy rules you will need to follow in order to succeed in running a small business until your heart's content. Get a pen and a paper and take notes because we will tackle all of the rules in this article.

Rule #1

Target - What you offer may not be what all people need. Focus on a target market and then work your way from there

Rule #2

Beat the norm - Whatever your competitors are doing, don't follow it, at least not right away. Be a rebel and deviate from the usual in order to make sure that what you offer actually sticks to the long term memory of people instead of the short term

Rule #3

Get Teammates - Don't just hire people to fill a spot, select the few that are actually interested in making your business grow.

Rule #4

Ride the wind - Time is your most important asset. Always make sure that deadlines are met and responses are quick.

Rule #5

Don't forget to say thank you - This may seem like something that is not really important, but a customer can become much happier if you express your gratitude when they do business with you. It's the little things that make customers come back for more.

Rule #6

Consistency - You will need to make sure that how the customers feel today, is the same with what they feel tomorrow should they require your services again. And you will also need to make sure that all customers are treated the same all the time.

Rule #7

Smile - Once again, it's the little things that count and therefore this shouldn't be treated with low regard. A simple smile can compliment your service and marks an impression on the customer.

Rule #8

Be optimistic - A positive attitude is always needed in running a small business. Remember, the glass is always half full and nothing else.

Rule #9

Don't go too hard - Soft selling is what you should be doing. Aggressive hard selling only makes customer want to get away from you. Solving their problems and satisfy their wants.

Rule #10

Don't be narrow-minded - Try and leave the comfort of your little corner and explore new things. Deviate from the standards and seek out new ways that may work for you in ways you never thought it could.

Learn more rules on how to run a small business successfully with some help from SquadHelp! Our large community, composed of small business owners, entrepreneurs and business experts know what it takes to do it.

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8 Qualities Small Business Owners Need to Be a Good Leader

It is said, "Great leaders are made, not born, so anybody can develop effective leadership skills if they decide to develop themselves in this way." This is true. And leadership is just as important for small companies as it is for corporate America.

In fact, leadership is often thrust upon small business owners. When you create your venture from scratch, select the right team members, develop your strategies and business plans and lead your team towards your business goals step by step... and you have to be a leader, not a follower.

Here are 8 qualities you need to be a good leader for your small but efficient team of professionals in order to propel your business towards success.

1. Have a vision for your company and communicate it effectively to your team

It is not enough to just have a big vision. Involve your team in the development of this vision so that they feel connected to it. This will encourage them to work hard toward the fulfilment of that dream/vision.

Show your team the big picture, the future prospects and where you want to see the company five years from now and allow them to help give it shape. Let your team members understand their role in making the vision come true.
Communicate to them they are the pillars of the company and are not just cogs in the wheel.

2. Lead by example

Leaders are looked up to for inspiration. Be a hands-on leader, who offers help, pitching in where needed, guiding, mentoring and problem solving.

Step in where you are needed but avoid stepping on toes. Don't be over-bearing, over critical or take over other's work.

Your objective is to inspire your team, not to de-motivate your team.

3. Know your employees

Create a personal bond with your employees. This is especially important for small business owners as they have to motivate a small team to perform multiple tasks efficiently.

Getting to know employees on a personal level helps increase productivity, lowers attrition at the workplace and encourages them to put in extra effort.

4. Take ownership

Good leaders delegate intelligently. Distribute work according to the capability of each employee so that you can enable the best results. Knowing each employee on a personal level also helps you to better understand his/her work capabilities.

Don't accept under performance. It's your responsibility that all team members are performing at good levels. And when it comes to taking ownership and responsibility for the bigger picture, that's your responsibility, too.

5. Be a good listener

Leadership does not mean doing all the talking. You have to be an equally good listener. You have to listen to others with patience and understanding to keep them motivated, know their problems, ask questions and keep updated on what your team is thinking.

6. Be courageous and confident

Being indecisive can spell doom for any business. Be a leader who has the courage of conviction, can make bold decisions (based on carefully considered alternatives) and has the confidence to lead from the front.

Even if your decisions occasionally do not bring about the desired results, take the responsibility and acknowledge your mistakes. Learn from your mistakes so that you can avoid them in the future.

7. Have a positive attitude

A positive attitude, a smiling, confident approach and a warm, assuring persona is essential to be a leader who inspires his/her team.

Don't let everyday challenges and problems make you lose your own positive attitude. If the captain of the ship despairs, his team surely will.

Face every challenge as a speed breaker on the road, back your team 100% through thick and thin and be the voice of reason, not anger or stress.

8. Pick up leadership skills from other leaders

Leadership skills can always be honed and sharpened. The best way to do that is to confer with other business owners or undergo an executive coaching session. Executive coaching sessions on a one-to-one basis are great ways of identifying your own strengths and weaknesses.

You can join a CEO association or CEO club where you get to meet fellow business owners who have faced and overcome similar kinds of leadership challenges. There is nothing better than a reliable CEO club or association for getting hands-on tips from people who have "been there and done that"!

It is said, "Great leaders are made, not born, so anybody can develop effective leadership skills if they decide to develop themselves in this way."

This is true. And leadership is just as important for small companies as it is for corporate America.

Tom Bordon is a freelance writer who has extensively written about CEO corporate association. His articles focus on guiding CEOs, COOs and top level executives in making new business plans, and strategies in a CEO club in Atlanta or a CEO association.

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Budget-Friendly Tips to Success for Small Businesses

Plenty of small businesses follow tips that cost less and are technology savvy. These multimedia tools to manage, promote and market their business, reduce expenses and increase their revenues. These tools can be easily accessed, user friendly and cheap or even free.

Google it

Google offers so many free services that can help small businesses. Google has a tool called Google Places that lets business owners register the services and products of their business in their database of your specific business. Once someone searches for these services and products locally, your business shows on the list. This service is a big hit with businesses that are after a local crowd.

Flyers

Many sites online have templates and designs for flyers. Try going to sites like Microsoft and use the many different free templates that people made. Look for a design that fits your business. These templates have been preformatted so that they have a professional feel and look. This means that you don't need to get a professional graphic artist that might cost a lot to make your flyers. Once you have a flyer, you can distribute these or even place them in bulletins.

Free hosting services

Save money and time by using Google Docs. This free service is made for small businesses and has tips on how to succeed. This service lets small business owners upload different kinds of notes and documents where people collaborate and share them. You don't need to get hosting services to share important documents. The service is great since it tracks shearing which means it's easier to manage.

Groups

If you are looking for people who have the same interest as you do, but do not know where you can find them, look for or make a group. Thanks to social networking sites, you can find people easier by making communities and groups in LinkedIn and Facebook. These social networking sites were made to get people connected with people who share the same traits, ideas, personalities, goals, etc... members of these groups are most likely interested in your business.

Virtual phone systems

You can set up virtual phone systems and make your very own advertising channel while saving money. So many virtual phone systems available today are affordable, flexible and user-friendly. With the correct leverage, a virtual phone system can take you very far. You can minimize the need of answering services, setting up multiple extensions and even provide better support for your customers and clients.

Get on the path to success with expert help and direction from SquadHelp! Our large community of business experts and advisers are more than happy to share tips and ideas to increase your chances of achieving success.

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7 Ways to Build More Profit Into Your Small Business

As you prepare your business for success in the coming year, will you focus your time and resources on sales growth? While it's important, it's often not enough. For sustainable growth and profit with a lot more control, spread your efforts around - creating small improvements in ALL areas of your business. It's the formula for a business that is simple, fun and profitable!

So where do you start? Here's the formula I recommend.

Planning. You don't need a 50 page business plan. But you do need some clear, measurable goals with specific 'actions' you need to take to achieve them. Written goals and a simple action plan provide you with focus and clarity. So take the time to write down what you WANT (results or outcomes) and what you need to DO (actions) to make it happen.

Products/Services. When was the last time you actually thought about the products or services you offer? It's more than just 'what price should I charge'. Which ones are most profitable, which produce the most sales? Do your products and services still meet the needs of your target customers or do they need a facelift? Technology, competition and your customer needs change over time - make sure your products and services keep up!

Promotion. Sales don't just happen. So what are you doing to attract new customers and keep existing ones coming back and referring others? Most owners associate promotion with marketing for new customers - and invest few (if any) resources on current customers. Big mistake. Make sure your plans also include tactics to turn your current customers into raving fans - who spend more, buy more often and refer other quality people to your business.

Processes. Streamlining and standardizing procedures make daily operations easier, efficient and more effective, whether you are there or not. They are also a key to increased profitability. As you plan for the coming year, make systematizing your business more of a priority. Start with just a few. Focus on those that save you time, increase sales, or fix problems that consistently erode profit.

People. No business operates successfully in a vacuum - we all need help from others. While we often associate people with employees, building a strong network of contractors, vendors and alliance partners for your business is equally important. Your needs will vary based on your business - but most small businesses have an opportunity to improve in this area. Have a method for hiring or developing new relationships with people who are committed to your customers and the success of your business.

Personal Development. As you grow and improve, so will your business. We are all familiar with the phrase, knowledge is power, but it also translates to earnings or income. And it doesn't require a lot of time or money - just a commitment to learning and building skills and knowledge. Here's a few things to consider:

Invest 15 minutes a day reading and you will read about 12 books a year.Turn drive time into learning with audio books.Attend interactive workshops or webinars to improve knowledge gaps or simply get new ideas.Meet with and build relationships with other successful business owners so you can share information and learn.Work with a mentor or business coach who can help you find hidden opportunities, provide shortcuts to results and accountability to get more done.

Profit. You don't need to be an accountant or financial guru, but you do need to track and understand the numbers that drive your business - beyond just sales. Here's a few others to consider: average sale per customer or transaction, number of leads, revenue per employee, average accounts receivable, gross profit margins, customer retention rates and net profit. Monitor them and focus on activities that help to improve them - especially gross profit margins and net profit. If you keep them at the center of what you do, your small business will continue to serve your needs and the needs of your people and customers.

Remember, little improvements in ALL these areas will put more profit on the bottom line and in your wallet. So take the hybrid approach: bring together all the key elements that drive success - and you too will have a business that is simple, fun and profitable.

Joan Nowak is a Small Business Profit Builder, seasoned Business Coach, and creator of the Hybrid Coaching System for small businesses. For additional resources and ideas to grow your small business, visit http://www.hybridbizadvisors.com/. While you are there, join her mailing list to get her monthly eNewsletter and receive a free copy of her eBook, Mastering the 7 Elements of Business Success.

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