Business start ups - The doom mungers!!

[Losos]

People often bemoan the fact that America has the largest and most influential business economy in the world, but they should realise that in America everyone actually admires business entrepreneurs, at least at the start up phase. Every one is encouraged to try a business venture, sure not all succeed but at least at the start up stage it's all positive.

Compare this with the UK where, in addition to crippling taxes, local and national environmental laws, beurocracy (Sp.) there is also the national habit of knocking someone even before he gets up

As an example let's say I'm going to start making Widgets, I put out letters to the press and write about my plans on the internet, immediately people in the UK start responding with:-
"Oh I never buy widgets, there's too many widget makers anyway"
or:-
"I already know 95% of all there is to know about widgets and I don't use them anyway"
or:-
"I've never seen a widget and I think you're up your ass to start making them"

In America my announcement would be greeted with:-
"Hi, I run an advertising agency, we can help you get started"
or:-
"Hi, I started a business a few years ago, please contact me and I'll see if we can help each other"or:-

"Hi, I have several distribution companies in Australia & New Zealand, we can sell your Widgets over there, don't bother about Europe 'tho, they are so negative and condescending it's not worth the time"

You don't believe me........................just look at the thread (Now locked)about publishing a new magazine.

So, the next time you bemoan the American multinationals influence, remember, Bill Gates probably had a lot of obstacles when he was working in his garage, but he sure as hell didn't have to put up with the typicaly British cynicysm "It can't be done" or "It's not worth doing" attitude.

 

[mr]

Having been self employed for the best part of fifteen years I don't think I've ever encountered the "typical British cynicism" you speak of I suspect it's a bit of a generalization. In any area of endeavour one will always find nay sayers but entrepreneurs with good workable ideas will make those ideas work for them regardless.

Cheers Mike

 

[Dave S]

Hmm. Been setting up a new business with my wife and, like Mike, have not experienced what you are saying.

In America my announcement would be greeted with:-
"Hi, I run an advertising agency, we can help you get started"
or:-
"Hi, I started a business a few years ago, please contact me and I'll see if we can help each other"or:-

Actually we've had loads of the above - any number of people ready to relieve us of our startup capital in order to 'help' us. I wish they'd clear off and let us find the services we need.

The general response we have found to be extremely positive and encouraging, and local business organisations (Business Link East, for example) have been a great source of free advice and training, as well as introducing us to other's in similar situations to enable sharing of experiences.

Doom mungering aside, though, there are realities. Unless going into a market where supply simply is not keeping up with demand, you need to have a reason for people buying your own goods/services rather than those of your established competitors. I think that is what several people were trying to establish in the recent thread to which you refer. The waters did get very muddy, though.

Dave

 

[Losos]

though, there are realities. Unless going into a market where supply simply is not keeping up with demand, you need to have a reason for people buying your own goods/services rather than those of your established competitors. I think that is what several people were trying to establish in the recent thread to which you refer. The waters did get very muddy, though.Dave

Well, yes, why couldn't people just wish the guy good luck? As someone did point out, (and I felt this was the most intelligent post in the whole thread)
There are three options for you:-
1) You'll be a raving success with all woodworkers including UKW people
2) You'll be a success without the UKW members
3) You'll burn and fall

There's not much more needs to be said IMHO

 

[Anonymous]

People often bemoan the fact that America has the largest and most influential business economy in the world, but they should realise that in America everyone actually admires business entrepreneurs, at least at the start up phase. Every one is encouraged to try a business venture, sure not all succeed but at least at the start up stage it's all positive.

Compare this with the UK where, in addition to crippling taxes, local and national environmental laws, beurocracy (Sp.) there is also the national habit of knocking someone even before he gets up

As an example let's say I'm going to start making Widgets, I put out letters to the press and write about my plans on the internet, immediately people in the UK start responding with:-
"Oh I never buy widgets, there's too many widget makers anyway"
or:-
"I already know 95% of all there is to know about widgets and I don't use them anyway"
or:-
"I've never seen a widget and I think you're up your ass to start making them"

In America my announcement would be greeted with:-
"Hi, I run an advertising agency, we can help you get started"
or:-
"Hi, I started a business a few years ago, please contact me and I'll see if we can help each other"or:-

"Hi, I have several distribution companies in Australia & New Zealand, we can sell your Widgets over there, don't bother about Europe 'tho, they are so negative and condescending it's not worth the time"

You don't believe me........................just look at the thread (Now locked)about publishing a new magazine.

So, the next time you bemoan the American multinationals influence, remember, Bill Gates probably had a lot of obstacles when he was working in his garage, but he sure as hell didn't have to put up with the typicaly British cynicysm "It can't be done" or "It's not worth doing" attitude.

What a sweeping statement, none of it is true from what I have encounted. I'm curious now as to why you have chosen to attack the integraty of the british, esp as this is a british based forum

 

[Lord Nibbo]

People often bemoan the fact that America has the largest and most influential business economy in the world, but they should realise that in America everyone actually admires business entrepreneurs, at least at the start up phase

I'm sure the insurance companies love new companies, my brother in law works for himself and pays out more than $8000 dollars a month for all his business insurance cover, including his vehicle, health, and house insurance. America helps the start up phase....... I think not.

 

[Dave S]

Well, yes, why couldn't people just wish the guy good luck?

Ok - let's take a hypothetical situation. As a goodwill gesture to forum members I could offer a small discount (not enough to even cover the postage) on an item from our shop, provided you pay by Sunday night. All I'm going to tell you is that it would make a nice gift and it should hopefully be much better quality than the other offerings on the market.

If you go to our website it won't tell you much about the item and if you ask me about it and why you should buy my offering rather than any other, I'll be somewhat reticent about telling you.

Presumably you will be quick to wish me good luck. Most likely you'll be in the minority. Some will object to my use of the forum for advertising. Some will question why they should buy my product and not a rival's. Some may see me as a potential sales outlet for their work and seek to have the thread locked before I receive too much flak.

Or maybe people could just 'wish me luck'

Dave

 

[Losos]

Ok - let's take a hypothetical situation. As a goodwill gesture to forum members I could offer a small discount (not enough to even cover the postage) on an item from our shop, provided you pay by Sunday night. All I'm going to tell you is that it would make a nice gift and it should hopefully be much better quality than the other offerings on the market.

Obviously I fully see and accept the point your making but i still say, why not just ignore the offer and get on with things higher on your daily priority, it must be time consuming to write a reply to say that's not a really tempting offer, if a person is going to allocate a period time (Be it ten seconds, ten minutes, or ten hours) let it be something positive.

In this situation, if you have nothing positive to say, better say nothing.

Now, if we were having this discussion in August 2008 and the product had clearly been faulty and 'not fir for purpose' then just about every negative comment that people made would likely be justified IMO

 

[MrJay]

Good luck.

 

[the_g_ster]

I say good luck to anybody with a great idea and a good product. The Uk provides a framework that may be cumbersome to some people, but if thought about and carefully approached then you will see growth and some good rewards. I think the key is in whatever product you have and understanding how will sell that as cost effectvely as possible to the right market.

(I have some great idea's that I'd like to apply, but presently that's on the back burner as my real job is both interesting and rewarding)