new business startup

New Business Startup

“If at first you don’t succeed…

Try doing it the way your wife told you!”

© 2010 Handel Barr Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.

What Was I Thinking?

• The market’s down• Work has come to a halt• My 401K is now a 201K• I’m old enough to retire• It’s going to cost a lot of money• I’ll lose a lot of sleep• People will laugh at me• My wife keeps saying “Are you sure?”


Why Do I Think This Will Work?

• No Competition• Cheaper price for better results• Target market has problems• I’m smarter than average• I’ve got nothing else to do• I know it will work• It’s just got’ta work


How I Did It

• Business plan• Competitive research• Market research• Bought a mailing list• Hired a designer– Artwork – make it pretty– Web designer – make it sell– Web based game – I hope it works


$£€¥¢$

Then I Found Out

• Need to file a patent• Need to register my trademarks• Need to come up with a brand name• Need to come up with a product name


My Learnings

• It costs a lot more than estimates• Nothing is free• Bartering works


My Learnings

• Everything takes twice as long as forecast• You cannot get all you want the first time• You make compromises all along the way• Social media takes a bunch of time


My Learnings

• You have to try and try again

• And again

• And again


My Target Market


Results So Far


Market Research

• Innovation is key to growth and success• Market needs are key to successful innovation• Needs are based upon what JOB needs to get

done


Questions To Ask

• What makes the job challenging or frustrating?

• What is time consuming about the job• What often goes off track when doing the job• What is wasteful or low yielding about the job


How You Can Help

• Come play with me• Field test The Start – What do you say to a

naked lead?• Learn about story telling• 2 hours of fun and learning• Food & drink


Why I Need You

• Games get better each time they are played.• No amount of field testing is enough.• I have to make sure I am in sync with my

prospective customers.


Thank You

• Bill Barr• Handel Barr Learning Inc.• PO Box 486• Blowing Rock, NC 28605• 828-295-8022 office• 828-773-6213 mobile
