2. INTRODUCTION
At one level all businesses are the same- they sell
something to people who want to buy from them,
while trying to make an honest buck. At another
level many very different types of business and ways
of doing business exist, even within what
superficially can appear to be very similar fields
3. SELLING TO OTHER
BUSINESSES
This involves one businessperson selling to
another businessperson. The attractions are that
you’re dealing with other people who have a
definite need and usually buy in relatively large
quantities and at regular intervals.
For example, an individual may buy a pack of
envelopes in pack of dozen few times a year, but
a business buys in scores, perhaps even
thousands and put it in order every month.
Business-to-Business enterprises such as selling
market research, database management,
corporate clothing, management consultancy or
graphic design are example of this type of
business.
4. OPENING ALL
HOURS
Conventional shops, restaurants and the like have
long opening hours and must meet the
expectations of increasingly savvy consumers,
whose access to the Internet has made them
aware of competitive prices as well as high
specifications and standards of service.
The upside of any form of retailing is that you’re
almost invariably paid-up front. But just because
you get the cash in your hand doesn’t mean that
you don’t have to meet exacting standards.
Customers are protected in their dealings in a
myriad of ways and if you fall short of their legal
entitlement you can end up with a bigger bill than
a simple cash refund. In conventional retailing you
also must rent premises and stock them with
products, both factors that can add significantly
to the business risk
6. SERVICING
CUSTOMERS
Service industries now dominate the British economy and
account for around 70 per cent of gross domestic
product. Services include financial intermediaries,
hairdressing, real estate, computer services, research and
development, education, health and social work, refuse
disposal, recreational, cultural and sporting activities and
an extensive range of other activities where no physical
goods play a major part in any transaction.
Service businesses require a high degree of personal
involvement and as such call for founders who see their
people skills as pivotal. In a nutshell, if you don’t enjoy
understanding the intimate details of what makes
customers tick and then going out of your way to meet
their needs, running a service business may be of little
appeal.