Business Idea of the Day... Interesting concept & of course “Twistable”...

(blank) Idea of the Day...

After all How Many business idea concepts & business ideas are Actually out there?

Hopefully... This gets a few of you Thinking...

Entrepreneurs Can Change Lives - New Website Encourages Business Ideas, Creativity...
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2.../emw561113.htm
http://businessideaoftheday.org/

A few other Quick picks and examples...

http://www.nicheaday.com/
http://www.idea-a-day.com/
http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...y_october.html
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/
http://www.dealdotcom.com/
http://www.woot.com/

Have Fun Brainstorming...

Phil

[GordonJ]

millennium?

Originally Posted by Phil

(blank) Idea of the Day...

Originally Posted by Phil

After all How Many business idea concepts & business ideas are Actually out there?
Hopefully... This gets a few of you Thinking...
Have Fun Brainstorming...
Phil

THANKS Phil,

I did have FUN brainstorming...and the results from all that mental activity are:

a 15 year old IDEA, that, at that time, did not have the TECHNOLOGY to make it happen...and NOW...

today, it does.

Let's look out the window at the American landscape...outsourcing and loss of manufacturing jobs...NEWS?...hardly, more of an avalanche trend that has no sign of slowing down...

Housing crisis? Is Crisis correct? Depends on where you stand, sit and see things...but, it sure looks, sounds and smells pretty dank from most seats in the house.

Giving people mortgages who couldn't afford them? They HOPED they could, and the lenders HOPED they could too.

What is ONE solution to the America in free fall spending and current economic doldrums?

TRAINING and EDUCATION...

but, again, or as usual, the money went into the wrong hands...BILLIONS have been allocated by gov'ts for training displaced workers...who got the money?

Your State and County...who are in my opinion totally clueless as to HOW to go about helping people in any way shape or form...but how about success in spite of the these "secured job" nincompoops?

Hey books and books and mountains of articles have been written about what is WRONG...how about some solutions (we won't get them from politicians, I can guarantee you that)...

SOLUTION ONE: Private Training.

5 years ago if you wanted to learn, say, MS Office (and even figure out how to beat that little A-Hole who pops up and offers help, while destroying your work with his "intuition" {hey, I taught that crap at a computer training center}...

anyhow, you had limited choices a few years ago about where to go to get training. NOW you can get it ON demand, online.

HOWEVER, (and this is a big but {"let's talk about your big but Dottie"..Pee Wee Herman}

BUT,

for the vast majority, and I only have personal hands on experience, no documented gov't studies or anything...

the MAJORITY of people can NOT be trained this way, they need a person to person setting. Not YOU? Fantastico, go to the head of the class....

for 98% of Americans, IN MY OPINION, they learn faster, easier and retain more by having a "teacher" at their side, who can answer the questions as they come up...but if you wanted to take a class, you had to WAIT until it was available...but, what if...what if, you could take whatever class you wanted on YOUR SCHEDULE...on your DEMAND? ...

...LIVE...with a person-to-person teching you how program. (The IDEA)

So that is ONE aspect of the Mobile-Mini University/Square One Workshops Training Center and Silver String Submarine Humazoo Band...IDEA...

Oh, maybe not the band, cause I'm virtually tone death and couldn't carry a tune in small bottle tied around my neck...I'd open the bottle and it would somehow be OFF KEY

There would be a SMALL, probably less than a 1000 Sq.Ft. CENTER, that can put on small training sessions...but more importantly, it acts as a CLEARING HOUSE for people who have specialized knowledge and wish to share it with others for a profit.

So, it doesn't have to be about learning computers or software, machinery, mechanics, or Mavis Beacon type stuff...it could be someone wanting to learn anything...EVEN something like:

HOW TO GET BOOKED FOR KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES...

So, the Center would pick up the phone and contact our local Millard Grubb or Dan Butler type (whoever is signed up and approved to teach)...and offer him a paying gig.

Want to learn to dance? OH Erik...
Cook?... Deborah
Woodwork?... Jason
etc. etc.

And the LOCATIONS can be mobile, they can be in your home, their home, a central meeting place, at one of our "satellites"...

And there is no LIMIT to what you can offer, and NO limit to the demand...

AH, I've got to pull out that old business plan and dust it off...and find someone who can help make it happen...

A Mobile Mini University/Training Center FRANCHISE...USA can probably support about 2,000 of these.

Well, that's MY idea of the... the day?!

Gordon Jay Alexander

PS. Hey, while we're training people, let's get their RESUMES up to snuff, offer JOB SEARCH help, possibly even some TEMP work...or at the very least a meet and greet every month...between TRAINED (CERTIFIED RESUMES) job seekers and employers seeking tested and trained applicants...We get em coming and going and all stops in between....FEEL free to add to my IDEA if you can think of other "services" we could offer...thanks!

Gordon,

Sounds like a nifty idea.

Someone could even set up some training with a few folks and go to the local Elks or Moose Lodge (Most libraries don't want to charge for training around me).

Let people know that there are local gurus (With apologies to Apple... a local Genius Bar) available to help with training or questions....

You could even make it VERY SPECIFIC with one day a bunch of cooks, another day, computer geeks, another -work-at-home-moms, etc.

The sky is the limit.

Millard

Gordon,

I was in Seattle recently and came across this organization that has a pretty cool business model:

http://www.discoveru.net/

As you can see they offer a little bit of everything in terms of class content.

They also provide the classroom facilities and support, distribute something like 70,000 course catalogs a month in the Seattle area, and operate on a membership dues structure.

Interesting, eh?

Cheers,

Rod

Originally Posted by GordonJ

millennium?



THANKS Phil,

I did have FUN brainstorming...and the results from all that mental activity are:

a 15 year old IDEA, that, at that time, did not have the TECHNOLOGY to make it happen...and NOW...

today, it does.

Let's look out the window at the American landscape...outsourcing and loss of manufacturing jobs...NEWS?...hardly, more of an avalanche trend that has no sign of slowing down...

Housing crisis? Is Crisis correct? Depends on where you stand, sit and see things...but, it sure looks, sounds and smells pretty dank from most seats in the house.

Giving people mortgages who couldn't afford them? They HOPED they could, and the lenders HOPED they could too.

What is ONE solution to the America in free fall spending and current economic doldrums?

TRAINING and EDUCATION...

but, again, or as usual, the money went into the wrong hands...BILLIONS have been allocated by gov'ts for training displaced workers...who got the money?

Your State and County...who are in my opinion totally clueless as to HOW to go about helping people in any way shape or form...but how about success in spite of the these "secured job" nincompoops?

Hey books and books and mountains of articles have been written about what is WRONG...how about some solutions (we won't get them from politicians, I can guarantee you that)...

SOLUTION ONE: Private Training.

5 years ago if you wanted to learn, say, MS Office (and even figure out how to beat that little A-Hole who pops up and offers help, while destroying your work with his "intuition" {hey, I taught that crap at a computer training center}...

anyhow, you had limited choices a few years ago about where to go to get training. NOW you can get it ON demand, online.

HOWEVER, (and this is a big but {"let's talk about your big but Dottie"..Pee Wee Herman}

BUT,

for the vast majority, and I only have personal hands on experience, no documented gov't studies or anything...

the MAJORITY of people can NOT be trained this way, they need a person to person setting. Not YOU? Fantastico, go to the head of the class....

for 98% of Americans, IN MY OPINION, they learn faster, easier and retain more by having a "teacher" at their side, who can answer the questions as they come up...but if you wanted to take a class, you had to WAIT until it was available...but, what if...what if, you could take whatever class you wanted on YOUR SCHEDULE...on your DEMAND? ...

...LIVE...with a person-to-person teching you how program. (The IDEA)

So that is ONE aspect of the Mobile-Mini University/Square One Workshops Training Center and Silver String Submarine Humazoo Band...IDEA...

Oh, maybe not the band, cause I'm virtually tone death and couldn't carry a tune in small bottle tied around my neck...I'd open the bottle and it would somehow be OFF KEY

There would be a SMALL, probably less than a 1000 Sq.Ft. CENTER, that can put on small training sessions...but more importantly, it acts as a CLEARING HOUSE for people who have specialized knowledge and wish to share it with others for a profit.

So, it doesn't have to be about learning computers or software, machinery, mechanics, or Mavis Beacon type stuff...it could be someone wanting to learn anything...EVEN something like:

HOW TO GET BOOKED FOR KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES...

So, the Center would pick up the phone and contact our local Millard Grubb or Dan Butler type (whoever is signed up and approved to teach)...and offer him a paying gig.

Want to learn to dance? OH Erik...
Cook?... Deborah
Woodwork?... Jason
etc. etc.

And the LOCATIONS can be mobile, they can be in your home, their home, a central meeting place, at one of our "satellites"...

And there is no LIMIT to what you can offer, and NO limit to the demand...

AH, I've got to pull out that old business plan and dust it off...and find someone who can help make it happen...

A Mobile Mini University/Training Center FRANCHISE...USA can probably support about 2,000 of these.

Well, that's MY idea of the... the day?!

Gordon Jay Alexander

PS. Hey, while we're training people, let's get their RESUMES up to snuff, offer JOB SEARCH help, possibly even some TEMP work...or at the very least a meet and greet every month...between TRAINED (CERTIFIED RESUMES) job seekers and employers seeking tested and trained applicants...We get em coming and going and all stops in between....FEEL free to add to my IDEA if you can think of other "services" we could offer...thanks!

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Gordon,

I was in Seattle recently and came across this organization that has a pretty cool business model:

http://www.discoveru.net/

As you can see they offer a little bit of everything in terms of class content.

They also provide the classroom facilities and support, distribute something like 70,000 course catalogs a month in the Seattle area, and operate on a membership dues structure.

Interesting, eh?

Cheers,

Rod

YES it is, Thanks Rod.

There are a lot of these type of things...here's how SQ1 will be different.

I want to learn MS Excel for a job I saw in the paper that requires it. Although I have some experience with it, basic stuff, I need to take a class to have a good foundation.

Here are my options around the country...to make my point on the SQ1.

From the Boston Center of Adult Education (Similar to University of Akron and other Adult Education centers)
http://www.bcae.org/ecat?open&sub=Co...SortBy=subject

See, I have to WAIT for when it is scheduled.

Here is a catalog (PDF file) that I love. GREAT stuff here. But note on the MS Excel {last page of listings) that I have TO WAIT.

http://www.knowledgenetwork.org/cata...t-Oct%2007.pdf

From the Colorado Free University, who uses CompuSkills

http://www.compuskills.com/EXCEL.html

For a one day intensive on MS Excel, I'd expect to pay 149 to 199 so far, and I have to WAIT for when it's scheduled.

Here's a 99 buck ONLINE class:

http://www.takeaclass.org/store/inde...yword=MS+Excel

Another ONLINE course for 125 or less for members:

http://www.learnconnect.com/index.cf...=111&catalogid=

And the DiscoverU catalog, another nifty presentation.
http://www.discoveru.net/contact/cat.../DiscoverU.pdf

The basic concept for the SQ1 Training Center IS:

IF you need to learn MS Excel this week...WE can do that.

WE can arrange it at your schedule, and on your demand...as we could do with almost 80% of the classes listed at all of the above. The exceptions would be a "personality based" type of program, like if Howard Berg HIMSELF were teaching his speed reading method (although I could find plenty of "Speed Reading and Speed Learning" experts in any area of the country...and again, I'd have enough of them that ONE would be available within days or even hours of inquiry.

WE could do scheduled classes, and give DEEP Discounts. I'd charge 69-79 dollars for an intensive DAY long session for MS Excel for example...and only need 3 students to be profitable.

SEE those buildings and COSTS? The existing Continuing Education or Adult Ed programs are "housed" somewhere, like at a University or the company has committed a substantial investment in a place.

With the SQ1 "franchise"...an investment of less that 50k gets the CENTER, the computers, everything needed to LAUNCH and the HOW TO do it also...and we get the space as we need it, OR let our providers use their facilites (under certain restrictions/qualifications like liability insurance...background checks where need be, etc.)

We can compete (let me use local references here) DIRECTLY WITH The U. of Akron, Kent State U., Cleveland State, Youngstown State...private providers, state, county and non profits...

BECAUSE we are Mini--Mobile--Efficient--and better organized and mostly because we can deliver the goods faster, easier, cheaper and provide a ton of income to the Independent Contractors we use to do the actual teaching.

Thanks Rod, that is a great "concept" that is being implemented by many Adult Ed Centers around the conuntry...and it offers a contrast to what the SQ1 will do.

Gordon Jay Alexander

That's an interesting 32 page catalog of Hotsheets...

With Stealable ideas for Anyone who has a particular Expertise...
http://www.discoveru.net/contact/cat.../DiscoverU.pdf

Some Excellent marketing and if you Google around you'll see that People of like interests Keep on taking Course after Course for years as a Network for their Social Life of meeting people...

So in Actual Fact... http://www.discoveru.net/
Has built up a Great concept using Social Church type marketing into their business model...

Here's just one of their Creative and Targeted Ads...
This Old Spouse
http://seattle.craigslist.org/cls/376135010.html

Gordon,

Keep in mind there are many Good "Free" Excel courses,tutorials & Tips online But unfortunately the Ladies aren't included...

Phil

Gordon,

Thank you for clarifying the SQ1 Mobile Mini University/Training Center FRANCHISE plan.

Yes, your description of SQ1 is of a much more cost-effective and efficient approach then DiscoverU and all of the other business models presented.

However, the biggest difference between SQ1 and others that I see can be summed up in one simple, yet oh so powerful word…SYNERGY!

The SYNERGY of a bustling CLEARINGHOUSE of information.

The SYNERGY associated with the type of information people come a seeking to change their lives.

The SYNERGY of a business model that offers job seekers, employers, contractors, and others the ability to spin-and-move-forward on the even tiniest dime of information.

The SYNERGY of RESULTS!

It took a while for the little grey cells to begin to grasp your concept, but I think SQ1 REALLY nails it!

One of these little centers is something EVERY business community should and could support.

This is powerful stuff!

If I may, allow me to toss a few more ideas into the barrel:

1. Developing some sort JV/Partnership with professional information brokers (see http://www.aiip.org/index.html). It is an emerging field and science that could bring added clearinghouse value.

2. Offering new products and services that people buy directly before, directly after, and to go with RESUME, JOB SEARCH, TEMP work, etc. For example, offering more extensive and progressive resume services for job/contract seekers such as web audio and video resumes. In addition to creating and mailing print resumes to prospective employers. And, offering more advanced tools and services for employers such as web audio/video job candidate screening. Thinking within the physical space requirements of something like the Kinko's passport photo corner, to operating an in-house SQ1 web video center in its place for all parties to use to their advantage and derive additional efficiencies.

3. Adding a mini retail supply center like a smaller version of Kinko's, but with the ability to produce and sell (even wholesale) more client specific hotsheets (see example - http://barcharts.com)

4. Generating additional revenue and free advertising with shared advertising Premium/Incentives. For example, distributing a free memo board with SQ1 & SQ1 Sponsors to every prospective employer who tours a center. Or, promoting a mini coupon booklet (purchase premium) with anything from clothing to dental discounts to new students. For example, sign up now to receive over $250 in Career Kit Savings. (Don, what do you think?)

5. Finally, if for no other reason then I like aspects of this branding/image, take a look at this page - http://www.geekposse.com/index.html. The Geek Posse theme has been used successfully over and over again (WAY too much if you ask my brother the computer technician!). Whatever, maybe it’s just the stampeding horses, but I thought there may be some value in presenting it.

CONGRATS on brilliant plan!

Rod

Keep your Eyes open for Chris Anderson's upcoming book “FREE”...

Gordon and other Smart & not so smart businesses have been Giving away & Using “FREE” for years and years...

BUT... Chris Anderson's “FREE” will be a Must read...

Chris Anderson, author of The Long Tail and the upcoming book “Free” defines the trend as “The Economics of Abundance and the Price of Zero”...

A couple “Free” takes on it... Bet we'll be seeing a whole Bunch of other “FREE” concepts and ideas coming out real soon...

Since Chris Anderson's “FREE” will be published around the end of 2008 by Hyperion...

Free business idea for you…free
http://blogs.thetimes.co.za/blogumis...st-great-idea/

Trend: Free
http://www.cscout.com/blog/2007/10/12/trend-free.html

Phil

I like to "keep up with the times"....and "keep my marketing ear" open as to WHAT people WANT (the key word here is "want")

In my area, as is true in most areas in this country...home prices have dropped, drastically. Homes and property are sitting idle with NO Bids.

This past year, "sale" prices have gone down about 20% and homes that were selling in 30 days are now selling in 120 days...at much lower prices.

Home sellers....do NOT WANT to pay thousands for a realtor commission on a "lower priced home"!

So...what does this mean to the "creative entroopeneer"?

Offer homesellers an "alternative" to listing with a RE Agent.

For $499 a "selling homeowner" gets;

1) a Website (www.1234Jackson.com) THEIR ADDRESS as their own personal Domain Name (URL)
with
2) PHOTOS (inside and out) of their home
3) 2 Signs with the URL
4) a LINK on our Local "FSBO" Website
5) local advertising of our Local "FSBO" website
6) our Report, "Sell Your Home Yourself"

Don Alm
Some of my Home-Based Money-Making programs
http://www.midasreports.com

[quote=Phil;17429](blank) Idea of the Day...

Hi Phil,

Of course there are many ways to make money with e-books.

With an e-book, you can make money by:

- Selling the books
- Giving away the books to collect e-mail addresses
- Including links inside the book to related services, with an affiilate link to generate income.

But what if you don't know how to create your own e-book? With that thought in mind, here are a few free videos to show you how to build your own e-book.

http://marketingclubvideos.com/index...25&Itemi d=54

My best business ideas to you,
John Davin