12 unconventional ways to think of ideas for your startup
Good business ideas don’t come easily. The most important thing to do is to find time and space to think creatively. You need to create opportunities to take your mind off the day-to-day stuff and think about the future. This is just as important whether you’re starting a business or planning a change of direction in your career.
Also, if you are looking for startup business ideas, use our startup business idea generator to brainstorm on different ideas. You can also read our post on 15 frameworks for generating startup business ideas. Here are twelve good ways to think about your new idea.
- Daydream – the best ideas always pop up when you’re least expecting them. Make time for quiet moments when you can close your eyes and let your mind drift. Let your subconscious mind look for the answers. You’ll be surprised at what this can reveal.
- Share – encourage those close to you to think about the opportunities too. Parents, partners, friends, and also your children; all have a knack for knowing us better than we think. Let their insight into your strengths guide you through the creative process.
- Generate many ideas – In creative thinking, quantity equals quality. You can’t generate one great idea. However, you can generate many ideas and a great idea will come once you evaluate all your ideas and think deeper. It has to be said that making lists helps. The longer your list of options, the more likely it is to contain some winners. Remember that the ideas you list might not be the right ones themselves, but they may well lead you in the right direction.
- Buy a notebook – keep it in your pocket, beside the bed, and everywhere you go. Ideas can strike at any time. Write them down.
- Have fun – Your subconscious mind thinks most effectively and creatively when you have fun. When you are serious, you are very unlikely to come up with really creative and valuable ideas.
- Google – once you’ve had a good idea, search online for a business already doing it. There’s little that’s really new and you will get lots of ideas by looking at what others are already doing.
- Be curious – Ideas are combinations or modifications of other ideas. The more life experiences you expose yourself to and the more you know what is happening around you, the more creative raw materials you have. The more creative raw materials you have, the more combinations your subconscious mind will be able to make and the more likely you will be able to create new interesting ideas. You need to be curious and ask a lot of questions.
- Beware of the hobby habit – many people feel their hobby holds the key to a successful enterprise. They may be right, but more often they’re not. Successful businesses are a combination of opportunity and passion. Are there enough people who share your passion with money to spend?
- Seasons – will your idea appeal to your customers all year round? Selling Christmas decorations or hiring out bikes might not keep you afloat on their own. These are two different seasonal businesses. Ask yourself whether you will be able to sell your product all year long. If not, how big could sales be during the season you sell.
- Look at your CV or career path – some of the most successful people start a business in a marketplace they already know. This shortens the learning curve and usually delivers some easy wins too.
- Travel–you don’t need to go far. Visit local trade fairs and see what is being promoted there. Pose as a buyer and ask questions. Compare your business vision with what you see and hear. How can you do better?
- Separate analyzing and generating ideas – When you are in analysis mode, your analytical brain blocks your superfast creative brain from thinking. To let the creative brain do its work separate the processes of analyzing and generating ideas.
FAQ – Generating Good Business Ideas
Q: How can I come up with good business ideas? A: To generate good business ideas, it is important to create time and space for creative thinking. Find moments of quiet and let your mind drift, allowing your subconscious to reveal unexpected ideas. Encourage input from those close to you who may have insights into your strengths. Generating a large quantity of ideas can lead to quality ideas. Keep a notebook handy to jot down ideas whenever they strike.
Q: How can I ensure I have a creative mindset for generating ideas? A: Having fun is essential for thinking creatively. Your subconscious mind works most effectively when you’re enjoying yourself. Avoid being too serious, as it can hinder creative thinking. Be curious about the world around you, expose yourself to diverse experiences, and ask lots of questions. Ideas often stem from combinations or modifications of existing ideas, so having a broad range of knowledge and experiences provides valuable raw materials for creativity.
Q: Is it important to research existing businesses before pursuing an idea? A: Yes, researching existing businesses is crucial. After you have a good idea, search online to see if similar businesses already exist. By looking at what others are doing, you can gain inspiration and insights. Keep in mind that originality is rare, so don’t be discouraged if similar concepts exist. Instead, focus on how you can differentiate your business and offer something unique.
Q: Should I consider the seasonal aspect of my business idea? A: Yes, it’s important to consider whether your business idea is suitable for year-round operation. Some businesses, such as selling Christmas decorations or offering bike rentals, are highly seasonal. Assess whether your product or service can generate sales consistently throughout the year. If there are seasonal limitations, consider how significant the sales potential is during the peak season.
Q: Can my hobbies be the basis for a successful business? A: While some hobbies can translate into successful enterprises, it is not always the case. Successful businesses require a combination of opportunity and passion. Evaluate whether there is a sufficient market of people who share your passion and are willing to spend money on it. It’s essential to strike a balance between personal interest and market demand.
Q: Can my previous career or industry expertise guide my business idea? A: Yes, leveraging your previous career or industry expertise can be advantageous when generating business ideas. Starting a business in a field you already know shortens the learning curve and increases the likelihood of early successes. Look at your CV or career path to identify areas where your knowledge and skills can be applied to entrepreneurial opportunities.
Q: How can traveling contribute to generating business ideas? A: Traveling, even locally, can expose you to new perspectives and opportunities. Visit trade fairs and observe what is being promoted. Pose as a buyer and ask questions to gain insights. Compare what you see and hear with your business vision and identify areas where you can improve. Traveling allows you to broaden your understanding of different markets and industries.
Q: Why is it important to separate analyzing and generating ideas? A: When analyzing ideas, your analytical brain tends to block your creative brain from thinking freely. To tap into your creative potential, it’s essential to separate the processes of analyzing and generating ideas. By allowing your creative brain to work independently, you can explore unconventional and innovative solutions. Once you have generated ideas, you can then analyze and evaluate them more objectively.
