In a world of too many options and too little time, our obvious choice is to just ignore the ordinary stuff. Marketing guru Seth Godin spells out why, when it comes to getting our attention, bad or bizarre ideas are more successful than boring ones.

"Seth Godin may be the ultimate entrepreneur for the Information Age," Mary Kuntz wrote in Business Week nearly a decade ago. "Instead of widgets or car parts, he specializes in ideas -- usually, but not always, his own." In fact, he's as focused on spreading ideas as he is on the ideas themselves.

After working as a software brand manager in the mid-1980s, Godin started Yoyodyne, one of the first Internet-based direct-marketing firms, with the notion that companies needed to rethink how they reached customers. His efforts caught the attention of Yahoo!, which bought the company in 1998 and kept Godin on as a vice president of permission marketing. Godin has produced several critically acclaimed and attention-grabbing books, including Permission Marketing, All Marketers Are Liars, and Purple Cow (which was distributed in a milk carton). In 2005, Godin founded Squidoo.com, a Web site where users can share links and information about an idea or topic important to them.

Source: www.ted.com

Video: Seth Godin on Standing Out

Singaporeans and expats living in Singapore are not strangers of simple -and-sweet things in life. Collectibles and gifts that have been popular these days such as fresh flower hand bouquet, soft toys, home decorations, unique handmade jewelery (and fashion accessories), cards and handcrafted arts of all kinds.

If you're skilled at making particular craft, having a crafts business is a good way to satisfy others as well as yourself. One trick to succeed in craft business is simply to sell your crafts for enough money that justify your time and materials. First, you need to think about are you going to sell. From there, you can to measure how long time will be taken and money to be spent on making each item. Don't forget to include your marketing cost to cost per item.

To showcase your product, flea markets, bazaars and crafts shows are some of the best place you can pay a visit; but you know that people who attend these events tend to only buy if your crafts are inexpensive. In solving this problem, you can sell your products to sales representatives who understand the industry and who will turn around and market them to retailers. Alternatively, you can also sell them to retailers themselves, place your crafts on consignment in retail shops, or sell them yourself through online shop (or "blog shop") and send via mail order.

What makes this business is popular is because the barrier to entry is relatively easy to tackle; start up costs are low, special licenses and certifications are nil (but just to make sure, you can ask someone who have been in the business for years), you can even start part time if you like and work up to full-time earnings. While you don't need a first class honor bachelor degree in fine arts to be an artisan or crafter, you'll need a genuine love for your specialty, talent and short courses that enhance your crafting techniques. At the end of the day, you get to earn a living doing what you truly enjoy!

Your first customers might come from groups of friends and neighbors. You can then extend your customers-base by offering people from community who attend shows where you display your crafts, or the world at large reached through wholesalers and sales reps. Some artisans have had success selling their products through Tupperware-like home parties.

If you plan to go the wholesale route, hook up with reps at gift shows, which you can locate by calling local and regional chambers of commerce and convention centers, reading gift-industry publications or contacting associations. In Singapore where people appreciate arts, selling crafts shouldn't not be difficult when you understand what exactly they want.

Starting a Craft Business, Tips and Tricks

There is no better time than now to to streamline your business. With the global economy faltering, business are forced to reduce cost dramatically since decrease in sales has not been matched by a decrease in overheads. But this is no reason to worry there are many ways that you can counteract the downward trend.

The current global focus on environmental-sound development is also beneficial to your business, if you haven't noticed that. There are now a wide range of recycled products and services that are focused on reducing the cost to the environment whilst the resulting increased competition is reducing costs for businesses.

However, outside sources will not help you that much to go through these times. It's smart purchasing combined with a thorough review of the services and equipments used can make your business far more efficient so that it can continue to grow whatever the economic climate. For example buying office furniture and equipment is unavoidable expenditure and can be a significant outlay, but if you spend a little bit more time to shop around you will find cheap alternatives without having to sacrifice quality, such as second hand goods.

Below are just 5 more ways to simply and effectively reduce business costs:

1. Get the best prices
   Energy prices have spiralled so switching utility providers may save you a significant amount of money. There are many websites that offer comprehensive comparisons of what is available. Alternatively, try to get special packages or bundles for your suppliers designed specifically around your business needs -- in doing so, you need to list first some immediate requirement of your business.
   
   
2. Buy the right equipment
   Buying I.T. equipment is always a costly-yet-unavoidable exercise. But there are other options to cut cost such as buying re-manufactured equipments that still have good quality. For example, printers Laserjet are a leading provider of fully warranted, up-to-date re-manufactured printers. The stock primarily comes from demonstration models, factory excess and loaned models. It is returned to good-as-new standard by manufacturers and then sold to you at a discounted price.
   
   
3. Reduce waste
   Reduce waste which result in reduces costs for both purchasing and disposal. If possible -- always use less packaging and re-use paper and envelopes. Also, use of electronic communication rather than paper where possible has the added advantage of saving on postage too.
   
   
4. Save beyond the office
   Ask your accountant, lawyer or insurer and see if they can find way that you can reduce your overheads. Sometimes just changing small details, particularly with insurance, can save you a lot of money on your premiums. A fresh perspective may be all that you need to save money. Ask your accountant if there's new regulation that can result in tax incentives from government by following environmentally friendly initiatives.
   
   
5. Join Industry Association
   Join association that is relevant to your industry might help you to reduce certain costs. You will probably find that they offer a number of incentives to be a member. For example, many offer reduced insurance rates or discounts on equipment and specialist products; and special rates for corporate training and networking events. Of course, knowing what happen in the industry is always good for your business
   

5 Smart Ways to Cut Cost While Being Eco-friendly

For many people, working for oneself holds great attraction, especially those who are entrepreneurial minded. Some view self-employment as a chance to advance professionally by becoming their own manager, earning more money (not limited to salary cap), or gaining new status.

Others seek the personal advantages it may provide, such as the ability to work from home, have more flexible working hours, or create profitable ventures from activities they enjoy. Indeed, we have heard many entrepreneurs turned their hobbies into profitable businesses. It's important to understand what is your need for starting your business and evaluate periodically that your on the right track to achieve your goal.

Nobody can guarantee success for any business, even those already successful entrepreneurs. But they can increase their chances to succeed by taking steps before starting one. I will focuses on the importance of preparing for self-employment by making informed choices, exploring business and personal suitability, and planning carefully; not so much about day-to-day management and operation of a business. For those details and additional information, we have program called Startup! Accelerator which is designed for first time entrepreneurs to understand operational needs of a start up company.

Many people told me that they pursue self-employment because they would like to develop some area of expertise into a full-time business. Those who decide to start a new business or buy an existing one must first determine if it holds enough appeal for them to invest their time and money into making it work.

In addition, some occupations and industries are more conducive to self-employment than others. Choosing a business requires attention to both your interests and the realities of the occupation you choose.

After choosing a business you want to pursue. What you need to do next is determining whether you understand — and can manage — the business and personal demands that are required for success. Most new businesses fail because the owners do not have experience that prepare the to face challenges in starting a business.

Enlisting the aid of experts, especially those who have worked with other business owners, will help you analyze your capabilities. That knowledge should reveal gaps between your expectations and the reality of succeeding with a business idea, allowing you to rethink your plan before your livelihood depends on its success.

Are you the right person to start a business?

Successful entrepreneurs share common traits. Most of them are hard working, persevering, have ability to handle a great deal of responsibility and and capable of honest self-appraisal. These people understand that self-employment usually involves the pressure to perform, long hours, and irregular income.

To decide whether you should bother to become self-employed, you must examine your motivation and commitment to start a business. Then, you need to honestly evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. Once you identify them, you can capitalize on your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses.

These are just few questions to ask to yourself, whether you are the right person to start a business: Will becoming self-employed meet my career goals? Am I willing to work long hours every day? Can I make my own decisions? Does my family support my endeavor? Can I afford the financial and emotional risks if the business fails?

Self-employment: What to Think Before Starting a Business

Managing Director and founder of Talentpreneur Hub, Ken Koh provides readers of Business Times with 10 important tips when starting a business.

Media Feature: Business Times, May 11 2009

As an entrepreneur, you are essentially a business leader in your company. Leadership is about inspiring others to achieve organizational goals. Thus, your challenge as a leader is to push everyone to attain their individual targets so that organizational goals can be achieved in the end.

However, there are some problems faced by the team leader in an attempt to push the team to perform at its best. Each team member might not be able to contribute fully as everyone has their own priorities in life. Enforcing your own set of rules on your team members may not be the best way to solve the problem. In fact, this may possibly create a backlash since no one likes to be forced to do something. So then, how would you; as the leader persuade your team to work towards a collective goal?

"Inspire" is the key. A leaders' ability to inspire others is a vital skill in effective leadership in people management; it's a skill that can be practiced and learned.

To motivate a team you need to share organizational goals, which will benefit each member. A manager needs to enforce a monthly target on its staff members and explain to them how to achieve these targets. Without this process the team will fail to perform. Inspiring your team to achieve your organizational targets is more important than just setting targets alone.

One way to inspire; is to paint a positive picture of organizational goal. It is about selling a vision with a positive outcome, rather than a negative one where goals are unachievable.
For instance, it's more inspiring to say
"I want us to be the best performing company in the industry and gain market share by 20%", rather than saying
"We are not going to see this company lose market share to our competitors this year".

Paint a very clear picture of the target goal. Your team members should be able to visualize it clearly. Use achievable figures, if possible, and make the incentives or rewards attractive for team members when goals are met.

For example;
10% increase in sales growth – Company dinner for team members
20% increase in sales growth – A cash bonus of $XXX
30% increase in sales growth – A paid holiday trip

These are just some of many ways to inspire others. What other ways can you think of; that can inspire your team? Who are some of the inspiring leaders that you know and what set them apart from the poor leaders?

Inspire Your Team to Achieve Organizational Goals!

One of the best (if not the best) way to boost your sales is by having customers to endorse your products or services. It's important for any business to capitalize on goodwill generated by properly servicing customers. Satisfied customers who share excellent service with their colleagues and friends are likely to be more powerful than any well-planned marketing campaign. But how are you going to get their referrals?

In business, there is nothing wrong in asking for a referral -- even big companies do that. In fact, you should always remind yourself and encourage your sales team to ask for referrals once you ensure that your products and or services have helped your customers to solve their problems. You might come again to your customers after one month or two for a service/product feedback and additional service (if any) together with your permission to have their referrals.

Now remember this: going the extra mile can pay off big time. When you provide excellent services that meet (if not exceeds) your customers expectation it's make sense that your clients will inevitably end up completely satisfied. A recent study conducted by NRS Consulting, research firm based in Madison, Wisconsin found that service providers that are rated 91% (or better) in customer satisfaction received six or more referrals from previous buyers. On the other hand, those who received ratings of 67% or less received no referrals. It pays to put extra effort and always over deliver. When have you get positive feedback from your customers, be sure to ask for a good recommendation.

Not everyone referred to you is going to need what you are selling. Rejection might still happen but potential customers who are introduced to you through their referrals are more likely to welcome you than those who are not. Many people believe that when you are doing a good job and your customers are happy, other people need to know your service or products. Thus, you deserve referrals.

One more tip, you can implement a system that includes seamless customers referrals as part of your marketing plan. For instance, you can reward a customer who provide referrals or make it effortless for them to provide you with referrals. Naturally, customers would to pass along business contact -- when they are satisfied -- to people they know. Not only helping you to get new customers, they are also helping their colleagues and friends to enjoy your excellent services.

I hope these tips work well for you.

How to Get Customer Referrals to Boost Your Sales

1. Always Ask and listen
   Successful entrepreneurs understand problems and aspirations of people better. By understanding a person’s needs, you will think of products & services designed to help others. Understanding comes with simply asking and listening to the people around you. The process of always ask and listen will generate business ideas, and evaluate market demand; rather than inventing sophisticated products or services that people don't need.
   
   When listening to others, be aware of unsaid hopes. Sometime people don't explicitly tell what they need or want simply because they never thought such products or services exist. Before budget flight become popular, people never said they want to fly overseas by paying only half of ticket price; they only said they wanted to travel overseas but not having enough money to do so. Smart entrepreneurs understand what people desire and provide solution for people to realize what they want in life.
   
   
2. Learn something new every day
   Ask and listen to other people are just two ways of learning something new for business idea generation. There are, however, many ways to learn new things to spot underlying opportunities. Browsing websites, reading newspaper, magazines and books will expand your knowledge and you will keep to current trends, problems faced in a society and where opportunities could arise. Even working for other people could be one way to spot on business opportunities in an industry which your company belong to.
   
   If your budget allow, you might want to go for short courses or classes to learn in-depth about certain industries in fastest way possible. Alternatively, you can have group discussion with people from different profession, educational and social background. The key is to commit to learn new thing everyday no matter how busy you are with current activities.
   
   
3. Synthesize ideas
   Synthesize ideas means putting two or more unrelated things together. I'm sure you have witnessed some of the biggest inventions when someone combine two or more things to come out with single solution. Combine camera and mobile phone, you get camera-phone. What other innovation based on synthesized ideas that you can think of?
   
   However it does not mean you can put two ideas together and succeed, but synthesize is still a popular process to generate ideas. The key thing is to run trial-and-error experiment; be willing to change your ideas from its original stand and collect as many input as you can to improve raw ideas into final product or services.
   

3 Ways to Generate New Business Ideas

Whether you're running a small enterprise or home-based business, having an online presence is important these days. Benefits of having online presence -- in this case, a "company website" not just profile on MySpace or Facebook -- goes beyond placing your company profile in a public venue. If you don't have a company website, you should consider having one.

So, why having company website is important?

There are approximately 1.5 billion world wide Internet users with about 3 millions users* are accessing from Singapore. With users demographics vary in term of age, place of residence, occupation, social and education background -- Internet provides you with opportunities to reach potential customers no matter what product or service you sell. And not only customers; your future business affiliates, partners and investors might find and learn about your business through company website.

Promoting your company through a website is much more cheaper than doing so on printed brochures and booklet. Domain name registration cost you about $10 per year, web hosting cost starts from $10 per month while one-time web designing cost you from just $500 or lower depending on design quality. Total same amount you spend on brochure or booklet will give you less marketing reach. Although I don't suggest you to build a website using free website builder service, many some businesses with very low budget started with these services.

Your business card is too small to place all information about your business; and so your company booklet and brochure. On the other hand, your website can always be expanded to include everything you need to tell about your business; from product or service information to job opening in your company. With open source content management system (CMS) like Wordpress and Joomla; plus broadband Internet access, updating website content is now as easy and as fast as updating file documents in your computer with word processor. This will be at your advantage when you need to immediately inform public about latest updates, upcoming events, etc. from your company.

In recent years, media used on the Internet has become richer than ever. Not only text and picture, now video broadcast and podcast have become alternative ways to deliver information to internet users. Imagine when you can record a video of product demonstration, upload it to company website and let people view it from their desk; you will save a lot of time and money introducing your product to the public. You can forget about door-to-door sales tactic, or inviting just limited number of people to watch your product demonstration.

Having a website means your business is open 24/7 and reachable round the clock. Even when you sleep, you can literally "sell" your product or service when your website provides customers with necessary information that help them to decide if the want to buy from you. It's possible that when you wake up tomorrow morning, you already have another customer!

Importance of Having Online Presence or Company Website

Why do people succeed? Richard St. John compacts seven years of research into an unmissable 3-minute slideshow on the real secrets of success. Richard St. John knew how he had found success -- through his marketing company, the St. John Group, which boasted clients like Nortel and BlackBerry/Research in Motion. But he couldn't get away from the question: Why him? He thinks of himself as an average guy, not talented at school, not terribly handsome or particularly lucky. So he spent more than a decade interviewing 500 people he defines as successful -- from architect Frank Gehry to non-celebrities successful in their own lives.

The resulting book, Spike's Guide to Success: Stupid, Ugly, Unlucky and RICH, has spawned a new avenue of success for St. John as a motivational speaker and talk-show star. His newest book is 8 to Be Great: The 8 Traits that Lead to Great Success.

source: www.TED.com

Talks Richard St. John: Secrets of success in 8 words, 3 minutes