Business opportunities can arise from changes in the political, economic, social, and technological landscape. Political and regulatory changes create opportunities, as do economic forces that impact consumer spending habits. Social trends related to demographics, lifestyle changes, and new technologies also provide opportunities. Entrepreneurs should look for problems to solve, gaps in existing markets, and analyze whether the timing is right to enter an emerging market before the "window of opportunity" closes.

1. Business OpportunitiesCreating, shaping, recognizing, seizing

2. What is an Opportunity?

3. ”One of the big differences between the growth- and equity-mindedentrepreneur and the traditional small business owners is that the entrepreneurthinksbigger.”Timmons & Spinelli

4. Where do I look?Somedifferentapproaches in searching for opportunities

5. ThreeapproachesLook for changesSolve a problemLook for gaps in the market

6. First of all, youwillneed to know in whichdirectionyouwant to look!

7. Look for changesChange is the mother of opportunities

8. General changesPoliticalchangesFx new regulationsorprioritiesEconomicchangesLocal, national og global economySocietalchangesChanges in the waywe live, learn and work etc.TechologicalchangesNew technologies and the wayweusethem

9. Political and Regulatory ChangesPolitical and Regulatory ChangesPolitical and regulatory changes provide the basis for new business opportunities.Protecting environmentAnti-terrorist lawsPrivatisingReducing fuel consumption (danish windmill industry)

10. Economic ForcesEconomic forces affect consumers’ level of disposable income.Who has money to spend and who is trying to cut costs.

11. Social Forces Family and work patterns.

12. The aging of the population.

13. The increasing diversity in the workplace.

14. The globalization of industry.

15. The increasing focus on health care and fitness.

16. The proliferation of computers and the Internet.

17. The increase in the number of cell phone users.

18. New forms of entertainment.Technological AdvancesTechnological AdvancesEntire industries have emerged as the result of technological advances. Examples include the computer industry, the internet, biotechnology, and digital photography.Once a new technology is created, new businesses form to take the technology to a higher level.

19. Trendspotting – consumer trendsDecisive factors:Economy and demographyShortfalls– whatwefall short ofBacklash – counterreactionStyle

20. Check this out…Springwise.com: 8000 people spotting new business ideas globally – chasing ”the next big thing”Trendwatching.com: 8000 users spotting trends globally.Techreveiw.com:MIT Technology review.

21. What’s the problem?If the problem is bigenough, a solution willmean business

22. Yourown problemsThinkabout the biggest, most frustrating and painfultaskor situation youcontinually must take.Thinkaboutpoorproducts, services and suppliersthat deliver them.Whatwouldmakeyourlifeeasier, better, more fun and fulfilling etc.

23. Gaps in the marketArrogance – form marketleaderorindustry in generalUnderservedorhidden segmentsMicrosegments and nichesMissing links – important problems, thatwe have learned to copewithChanges in the valuechain

24. Window of OpportunityWindow of Opportunitya metaphor describing the time period in which a firm can realistically enter a new market.Once the market for a new product is established, its window of opportunity opens, and new entrants flow in.At some point, the market matures, and the window of opportunity (for new entrants) closes.