A platform for new business
December 30, 2005
Here’s a common problem plus a possible fix:
New businesses want as easy a ride as possible when they’re starting up. Administration is a pain in the backside - that’s one reason why professionals are needed.
But what would happen if there was a platform where, from day one, all the essentials a client needs to be in 21st century business was simply there - as an easy to use, maybe a ‘pick ‘n’ mix package?
What if your clients could try it out for nothing and only had to sign up on a pay as you go basis?
What if that meant you’d be able to do what really matters - like advise on the business of business?
How about if there were resources you could simply pull off the electronic shelf and that those resources could be refined for best practice and shared among your client community? A sort of Open Source Business StartUp package. Ok - I know there’s plenty of information resource out there but quite frankly, most of it sucks.
How for instance do any of us know whether the ’standard’ startup packs so many dish out is of real value? Surely what people need are simple tools where the purpose is obvious and where they add value. Not paperwork. Even better. If the community can help shape resources then they own it - how good is that?
I’m looking for two sets of opinions here - one from professionals and one from tech savvy 15-24 year olds. Why? It’s about getting perspectives from those that work with new businesses and the largestr growth group for this medium.
Last time I saw the numbers I was told around 480K new businesses start up in the UK each year. That’s a huge market that has to be worth at least £240-385 million in annual fees - using current average estimates. And the majority will have more than a passing knowledge of technology. That’s worth tapping into - I only want 1% - for the moment.
More on this next week but it’s an idea I’m going to develop with a client in early 2006.
In the meantime - have a great New Year celebration. 2006 is going to be a turning point for business and the way professionals operate. Hang on for the ride.
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5 Responses to “A platform for new business”
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[...] AccMan Pro Innovation for the professional accountant Prev/Next Posts « A platform for new business | Friday, December 30th, 2005 at 6:03 pm [...]
I think something like this would be of great use + interest.I would like to know a little more on what this would actually look like. Business administration is about process as much as it is about software - is this a combination of the two?You also mention a revenue angle too - how would that work around an open source model? (or was the OS part just elaborating on the basic concept?)If you do put something together, let us know!
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Process is something we’d like to keep to a minimum, ensuring that the essentials like credit check are taken care of in an invisible manner to the end user.
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Here in the UK if you sign up with Barclays you get a Business Manager suite of software including Sage or Quickbooks, Business Plan Pro, Marketing Plan Pro, Beprostaff, Business Skills course etc Its all on a monthly subscription with free banking for first year.I also went to an interesting talk by http://www.fensystems.co.uk/ who run all their business with Open Source stuff
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Thanks for that Geoff and yes I already know about the QB bundle. The trouble is these offerings represent 90s thinking. Look at Ben above - he’s been in business since he was 17 and still doesn’t have a ’system’ for keeping records. He hasn’t found anything sufficiently attractive. That’s where the conversation comes in. People like Ben can help us shape the stuff we need round the edges that people really need.
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