Today . . . I am thinking about this question that came in from one
of our readers wondering about what products and services are in demand now.
If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.
Q: What product or service is currently in demand?
A: When I work with clients who are interested in starting up businesses, sometimes they don't know what kind of business to start up. When this happens, I take them through the Niche Clarity Program to help them connect their inner knowing and passion with profit. I've found this to be the best way for the spiritually conscious woman to start up her business.
Your question, on the other hand, comes at the start-up process from an outer perspective. From this perspective, the attitude is, "Let's see what's in demand first, and then I'll decide if it interests me." Because you want to start up a business that is both interesting to you as well as in continuous demand in the market, there is value in combining the inner and outer approaches.
As I have been watching start-up trends over the past five years, these ten areas have seen consistent growth and shown up repeatedly on many of the small business trends blogs. They are general in scope and offered as a starting point for further exploration before making a definitive decision about the direction of your start-up.
1. Software and Computer Systems Products and Services
2. IT Services
3. Financial Advisory Services
4. Employment Services
5. Science and Technology Consulting
6. Day Care Services
7. At-Home Services
8. Green Services
9. Health Services
10. Digital Products
Three Key Resources
- In December, 2008, Small Business Labs, the folks who track and forecast the trends impacting the future of small business, put out their "Top 10 Small Business Trends." You might find these helpful.
- In January, 2009, USA Today put out their report on "2009's Top Small Business Trends."
- Every year Entrepreneur Magazine puts out "Trends to Watch", listing general and specific areas to consider when starting up a business.
Alrighty then. There are some ideas to get you started.Do you have any other suggestions? If so, leave a comment and let us know. And, if you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.
Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business ExpertAward-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success
This post was very helpful for me to look at the big picture. I often get lost in the small details and forget about the long-term plan. Thanks for the info!
www.onlineunivesalwork.com
Posted by: somaie | February 10, 2010 at 10:06 AM
You are most welcome. Glad it was helpful for you.
Posted by: Lady Samurai | February 10, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Demands are getting change according to the needs like Kingdee chose to establish its South East Asia R&D Centre in Singapore as it provides a strategic platform for leading hardware, software and IT services and Internet companies to tap into new business opportunities in the region.
Posted by: IT Outsourcing | March 29, 2010 at 02:54 AM