The document discusses identifying business opportunities by scanning the external environment and one's own skills. It describes scanning politically, economically, socially and technologically to understand customer needs. Both macro environmental scanning (e.g. of industries) and micro scanning (e.g. specific opportunities within industries) are important. Self-evaluation of one's experience, knowledge, skills, finances and interests helps identify viable opportunities. Screening opportunities considers legality, competition, capital needs, risk, liquidity, credit availability and exchange rates.

1. Entrepreneurship studies – Chapter 2 © Cosmopoint International University College, School of Business – 2007