Are You Ready To Start A Business? Take This Quiz and See

Don't get discouraged! A "no" answer to any of the questions will identify an area for development -- not a roadblock. I am available to help if you would like to discuss your options in greater detail.

(1) Do you offer a clear, unambiguous benefit that your target market can't live without?

Ideally you can learn whether demand exists for your service. Otherwise, don't dive in. Dip a toe into the water to see if it's warm.

(2) Can you demonstrate expertise?

Collect testimonials, references, products and awards. Credentials help only if clients believe they make a difference.

(3) Do you have evidence that people will pay for your services? For instance, you may have achieved expertise in a certain type of healing where the going rate is $15 an hour. .

(4) Is your market crowded with competitors?

If it's hard to stand out, you need a network of personal contacts to get started. And if the quality of your competitors varies, much of your business will depend on referrals.

(5) Do you have networks of people who can become clients or referral sources?

For instance, are you a CPA whose clients pick your brain for career change and business start-ups? Do you belong to professional groups that will give you access to a mailing list?

If so, you may have a straightforward transition to your new business.

(6) Have you ever
(a) been self-employed or
(b) been successful at a straight-commission sales job?

If you dropped out of a sales job because you couldn't handle the uncertainty, you need an exceptionally generous safety net before you embark on your own solo venture.

(7) Are you at home on the internet?

Do you understand the principles of web design, so you can do-it-yourself or work intelligently with a designer?

A website is a commitment, especially for service businesses. You have to be your own designer, marry a designer, or have a big maintenance budget.

(8) Are you active in a community that is large enough to include potential clients and referrers?

It is possible to have a lucrative distance business, but it takes longer and requires unique marketing skills.

(9) Are you comfortable in a sales role? When someone calls to inquire about your services, are you willing to view your task as selling as well as helping, analyzing or troubleshooting?

(10 ) How much continuity exists between your former career and your new business?

Professions have norms and values. The greater the distance, the more challenging will be your journey, and the greater the risk and time to achieve. You may have to learn a new way of thinking about the world.

And you truly may not be able to go home again.

I offer one-to-one consultations on career strategy.

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294

---

Google News Updated : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:49:19 GMT Emptying the Pac-10 notebook - ESPN Los Angeles Times Emptying the Pac-10 notebook ESPN - 1 hour ago USC is a perfect 8-0 vs ASU this decade, last losing to the Sun Devils in 1999. Over the 8 wins, USC has averaged 39.8 PPG. The Trojans are going for their 400th victory at the Coliseum. Trojans sense an opportunity with Arizona State Los Angeles Times USC, ASU to avoid second Pac-10 loss International Herald Tribune AZ Central.com - East Valley Tribune - Arizona Republic - Examiner.com all 266 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:31:02 GMT Notes on a Milk Scandal - Wall Street Journal Canada.com Notes on a Milk Scandal Wall Street Journal - 5 hours ago By JOSEPH STERNBERG | FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ASIA It's a question I'd never expected to spend much time thinking about. France pulls tainted Chinese food BBC News Tainted milk prompts new Chinese standards United Press International Voice of America - The Associated Press - Xinhua - RedOrbit all 2,270 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:28:15 GMT John McCain, Barack Obama on healthcare - Los Angeles Times Seattle Post Intelligencer John McCain, Barack Obama on healthcare Los Angeles Times - 21 minutes ago How workable are the presidential candidates' health reform plans? Here's a summary of their proposals and a list of online resources for more information. In this economy, don't count on comprehensive health reform Chicago Tribune Fact Check: Would Obama fine businesses that don't offer health care? CNN Political Ticker The New American - The Associated Press - MarketWatch - NJBIZ all 1,686 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:27:40 GMT Two Banks in Midwest Fail - Wall Street Journal WWJ Two Banks in Midwest Fail Wall Street Journal - 35 minutes ago By JEFF BATER WASHINGTON -- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Friday announced the closings of two banks, bringing to 15 the number of federally insured banks that have failed this year. Two banks fold, bringing total to 15 failures this year MarketWatch Regulators shut small banks in Mich., Ill. Forbes Bloomberg - Reuters - Detroit Free Press - WWJ all 37 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:14:00 GMT Conflict Resolution Marked Career of Nobel Laureate Martti Ahtisaari - Voice of America BBC News Conflict Resolution Marked Career of Nobel Laureate Martti Ahtisaari Voice of America - 2 hours ago By Andre de Nesnera Conflict resolution marked the career of former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari who has received this year's Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to secure peace in various regions of the world. Video: Ex-Finland President Wins Nobel Peace Prize AssociatedPress Martti Ahtisaari gets a deserved Nobel Peace Prize for a (failed) plan Times Online The Associated Press - Sydney Morning Herald - TIME - AFP all 1,240 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:23:27 GMT Wall Street, markets continue roller coaster - Bizjournals.com NEWS.com.au Wall Street, markets continue roller coaster Bizjournals.com - 2 hours ago A roller coaster week on Wall Street ended with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 128 points Friday after bouncing back from almost 700 points down in the day. Video: Wild Swings Drive Morning Trading AssociatedPress Worst Week on Wall Street Ends Down ABC News WMBB-TV - Washington Post - WMDT - NEWS.com.au all 2,033 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:29:25 GMT GOP Alleges Nonprofit Voter Fraud - CBS News Boston Globe GOP Alleges Nonprofit Voter Fraud CBS News - 27 minutes ago (CBS) This week Sen. John McCain and his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, went after one of the nation's leading voter registration groups which focuses its efforts minorities and low-income families and now being investigated for voter fraud. McCain Campaign Calls for Investigation of ACORN-Obama Ties Washington Post Voter fraud accusations mar presidential campaign The Associated Press New York Times - AFP - Chicago Tribune - Huffington Post all 1,109 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:21:41 GMT RSS to HTML Web Site Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Using The Internet For Job-hunting

The Internet is a very useful tool for job seekers... Read More

How to Improve Your Work Situation

buWhy are so many people unhappy in their work situation?... Read More

How To Write A Resume, Avoid These Resume Mistakes

HOW TO WRITE A RESUME-MISTAKE #1NEVER USE THE WRONG PAPER!... Read More

You Are Not Entitled to a Job!

Résumé TipsSome basics about job hunting...First of all, nobody owes... Read More

Find Those People

"The Emperor's New Clothes" was a favorite childhood story of... Read More

Last Year Physician Resident Checklist

Here is a last year resident checklist not to forget:LICENSING:Licensing... Read More

9 Secrets to Career Success

Are you miserable at your job (or what you are... Read More

Career Advice: Are Resumes Obsolete As A Primary Job Search Tool?

In a day of background checks, pre-employment drug screening and... Read More

Fact or Opinion?

"You ain't going nowhere, son. You ought to go back... Read More

Dont Stop! Your Transition is Still Moving!

Q. I'm looking for a new job and plan to... Read More

Resume Writing Tips

Resume Writing doesn't have to be a solo gigResume writing... Read More

Factual Employment Screening Part 1

We have all heard in recent years that the need... Read More

Managing The Boss Is Essential To Career Success

Your boss is the gatekeeper of your career. Unless you... Read More

Successful Job Search: Knocking Out The Competition

Most of the time, competition stimulates us, gets our juices... Read More

Background Checks: How They Can Determine Whether You Get Hired or Not!

Background checks are utilized by companies today to decide whether... Read More

Defining Success Your Way!

In my career advising practice, I often find that my... Read More

The Changing Values Landscape of the U.S. and How It Impacts Midlife Job Searchers, Part Two

The values landscape of our nation is changing, and with... Read More

It Takes Time

The story goes that after one of Ludwig van Beethoven's... Read More

Thank-You Notes: An Integral Part of Your Career Design

There is one little practice that is vital to generating... Read More

Your Salary: What Are You Worth?

Why is it a good idea to determine your worth?... Read More

Women Who Quit Work Abrubtly After Childbirth - Are You the Type?

According to statistics one out of every five pregnant women... Read More

Have You Been Fired? Laid Off? No? You Will Be!

It's true. Things have changed. You need to know the... Read More

Five Fabulous Resume Tips for College Grads (or Anybody)

Fluffy clouds. Chirping birds. Green trees. Colorful flowers. It's springtime!... Read More

Business & Career: Know Your Ruling Star!

"Know your Ruling Star. One man is better received by... Read More

When and How to Say I Just Cant Do It!

We naturally hesitate to tell our boss when we can't... Read More