Great question! I don’t think there has been a better time than the last year (if you didn’t need financing) to start a business for a few reasons:

1. People are more interested in doing business with people, not companies.

2. There are more opportunities available as companies outsource non-essential functions.

3. The proliferation of sites like Rent-A-Coder and Elance has given budding entrepreneurs a watering hole to find work.

4. The costs to start a new business are minimal.

5. Necessity – when the pink slips come, you have to do something!

Nice list!

-Darren

I mean, think about the plumber – he could deliver training videos to people half way around the world on how to do their own plumbing.

My friends in Jamaica (I love the country) can provide information products to folks like me (I live in the United States), on techniques to make world class rum, or coffee, or how to make Jamaican dishes… all for a fee.

You could own a restaurant, and sell your recipes. You could be a consultant, and have a portion of your knowledge delivered on line.

So, in my opinion, you must do more than think global, you need to start behaving global… IMMEDIATELY.

- Mike

Why is it assumed that a plan is static? It is a given that a plan should be pliable and adaptable based on market condition, economic conditions, and etc.

The most important reason for a small business owner to create a plan is to gain knowledge about the industry, competition, and customer so that he/she can make educated choices about how he will promote and price his product/service, and where he will place his product/service.

A lot of small business owners who don’t see the value in creating a “working” business plan are throwing mud against the wall and just hoping it will stick. As a small business owner, mistakes are inevitable. Nevertheless, you want to minimize the trial and error process as much as possible because TIME IS MONEY!