If you already have so much of the content, what are you waiting for? Do you need technical help with building th site?

I think what you're looking at is a combination of thinks that are on the market already.
For the tools, please look at http://www.zoho.com/ for inspiration. Everything you need.
For the business look also at the idea Igerminate and the comment I gave there.
Tommy.

CraigH: you nailed the issue, I need the technical help building the site. I have been using blogs and playing with a Wiki but my vision entails much more of an integrated approach. Maybe all I need is people to work on the 'business' versus the 'idea' in CH speak.

vanhees: I am quite aware of zoho.com and those tools might be able to be leveraged, I need someone with the technical/programming skills to pull it together with scripting. I am not aware of anything on the market that has integrated everything into one user interface. I did see iGerminate and my idea is beyond a start-up portal - my idea is to build a tool that can be used throughout the life cycle of a business.

"I have 400+ pages of content (articles, audio, video) that can be integrated into this Self-Directed entrepreneurial learning system." ... I wonder if there is a way to facilitate a subscription service where you monitor a user's activity on already existing sites and fire off helpful information to them. For example, they sign up to your site, give you account information to their 37signals and Google (Calendar) accounts... and your app analyzes and fires off an email with links to appropriate content.

The upside is that you could flintstone the analysis (and advice) at first, so your site is easier to launch. Certainly you are in a very advantageous position RIGHT NOW because you already have content!

I'd think you should be trying to find out as quickly as possible if it is possible to leverage that content WITHOUT re-inventing the wheel. (Also asking people to switch too-set for the sake of your content is a tough sell. Easier for your users is you can wrap yourself around their tool sets.)

I find this a very complicated idea. Most business are not the same and go through growing pains in different ways.

It would be hard to make an all in one tool for this.

]V[oogy

Moogy: You are right most businesses are not the same, however, the issues or challenges faced by business owners are similar i.e. revenue generation, administration, hire first staff, marketing etc. My plan is to provide a threaded discussion on each of the content items.

GordonMcDowell: you make some interesting points, I am first planning to launch a subscription service soon, think of this tool as a facilitated, structured self-study, content rich self-coaching system.

It seems to me that entrepreneurs already get their dose of coaching, project management and calendar/to-do applications through different channels. The beauty of having all those different channels is that entrepreneurs can tailor their own personal way to manage their business. Most likely your site would be used for coaching but not for the rest unless the calendar was a tool for a specific business/entrepreneurship "system" that you would be teaching.

I find your idea a great tool to the small business owner seeking coaching. I don't think, or at least I have never seen, there is/are any tools providing such help. My only concern is to have all the information displayed in just one page such as the pic posted above, meaning there is too much to read. To make easier to ready, use of some marketing techniques such as font sizes, and make the text shorter. Regarding the logo, if I were you I would change the logo. It reminds me of "Bill G's" company. A brigther color would be more appealing.

After reviewing the comments posted above regarding the it/tech issues, I can tell you the scope of the project is not difficult to be accomplished if based on ASP .NET. It is very reliable, secure. The only draw back is the cost to develop/script. A "good programmer" would run up to a good $200.00 hour.

You can get a "Great" programmer for much less then $200 an hour. You could probably get a team at $200 an hour.

Success in starting up a business is being adaptable and light on your feet. Following a cookie-cutter plan will set people up for failure, especially considering that every business is different.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but I'm not sure how you could claim to be able to "coach small businesses" as just a general blanket statement. It seems to me that every business would have extremely different needs, necessary tools, and rates of growth.

So far, the most realistic / useful / idea with potential.

These kinds of websites can turn a tidy profit if marketed correctly - I know a guy who has bought and run a couple of "buy my e-book" sites, where the e-book is an enticing piece of cr@p and he turns a (tiny) profit each month.

If you've got good content, valuable to relatively successful people, you should be able to get good return on it...

This kind of an idea can work really well if it is presented as a "system" or something similar. That way, you can build a coaching plan through all of the transition states for businesses that you identify, and write it up so that the owners can easily identify where their business is, and what they need to do to get to the next level.

However, I see the value of this as the content, really. I'm not sure how much extra proprietary project management and calendaring tools would get you, unless the system had specific and unusual ideas about those processes.

This is by far my favorite idea so far! If you need any assistance, let me know. =]

Something that could add value to this idea is an online accounting tool.
One thing that is in the stomach of entrepreneurs where i live is that they are obliged by tax-law to keep track of financial transactions, make financial reports, do accounting, do administration etc.
There are companies who take away all this pain by doing it for them.
Such an online system is by no means easy, it requires a lot of knowledge of the algorithms behind all sorts of calculations that have to be done to create a solid symposium of all those things.
But if that can be pulled off, then there's lots of potential.

"I have 400+ pages of content (articles, audio, video) that can be integrated into this Self-Directed entrepreneurial learning system."
Sounds like what you need is some content management and technical help. I can help you get the site going PM me lets talk about what you need.

idevlabs: I do not want to create a cookie cutter approach, a flexible system that changes as the business owners needs change and evolve.

ThrasherC: I have been coaching small business owners for 17 years, I agree every business is different. They are also very similar. They all need to produce revenue, control costs, hire staff, create products and services.

chadmorris: I am calling it the Transitions Method, I wonder if Transitions System would be better? I have changed my thinking somewhat regarding the project management, I think that if I build an interactive tool then as the complete one step they will move onto the next.

zentropy: as to accounting, I will not reinvent the wheel, we will be able to export data that can be used in a accounting system like quickbooks etc.

Lamp and Fitzpatrick : thanks for the support.

i wish you luck with this, sounds good

i think the basic idea is great, what I don't understand is how you'll make it appeal to your target market. How will ppl know of you and why should they waste their time to look? I mean, i think the idea should be taken a step further as far as marketing it is concerned.

Content will make or break this site... where are you going to get this content? is this a pay per use service?

If you could make a small business owner feel like you are commenting and advising on a transition situation for her in her particular situation, you may be on to something. Otherwise you are competing with a ton of material that is already online. Many business owners are aware how to access these free online tools.

Thanks for the feedback, I have refined this idea and have uploaded a brief Strategic Plan and a revised overview image of the concept. You can find the links at the top of the page under "Idea".

If anyone is interested in a Ustream.tv TV show, I could arrange one to discuss this project with you folks. All you need is a web browser. Send me a message today if interested and we cab arrange one for Tuesday, July 31st at 10AM MST

Many thanks, Greg

Well I was already keen on this idea, so I can't vote up much more. But I like your further clarification. "Tools" make sense to me (I don't offhand know what tools are in demand, but sure, you could create or consolidate biz tools). The advice... and advice that is given at appropriate times... I don't know how automated that could be. It might be once you have a pro looking website and materials ready for release online... that you'll have to babysit most of the members. I think the interest people need is an actual coach more so than an automated one. Even if your website can automatically offer good advice, it may be the person-person bond which keeps them returning to you. So one thing to consider is performing many menial tasks yourself, then training staff to assist people, and recommend media packages, etc. I know that brings up scaling issues (you can't just create the website then step away), but what you're talking about sounds so involved I can't imagine biz-newbies getting the assistance they need without lots of human intervention (if they are looking for help).

I developed something very similar (NOT the same) while at Ernst & Young back in 1999/2000 it was a portal for startups and spinoffs. It was specifically designed and tailoired during the .com We used the "knowledge" base from the E&Y collective years of experience...in fact the hardest thing was pairing this down and making it relavent. It was a back of a napkin to IPO tool with designs for after IPO etc.
We at the time had negotiated with some very LARGE private equity players to cobrand this as they are the ones that have the cash to PAY for the services this generates plus it had a measurable by product as then we could somewhat measure the results and compare companies even when they were not in the same industry (as in where in their lifecycle they were, prepared for IPO etc...).
I left E&Y and the product basically died a slow death and this was mainly due to the .com death and startup death in 2000. This has changed so now may be a good time to restart this. The real difficulty is getting to your target audiance .....good luck hope you do well.

Here is my revised Elevator Pitch:

Transitions is a small business development tool kit that helps entrepreneurs evolve and develop their business throughout its life cycle. It integrates the principles of business coaching to guide you in building your business model, profitable financial plan, and actionable project plans in a single web application.

Hi,

Can you put some numbers on cost of maintaining and revenue that this idea can generate?

Also check out http://www.planhq.com/

prav: I am familiar with that application service. It lacks the knowledge base content that I have as a result of writing daily online since 1998 and publishing two business books.

Costs and revenue, great question and that is what I am next working on.

Your idea seems well thought out and you have some very snazzy marketing material to go with it. Kudos to you.

Have you considered that budgets are tight in small businesses and owners may not want to shell out the cash? Or the notion that successful small business people (that have the money to join) will already be doing the right things and struggling business people (who don't have the money to join) might have bigger problems than a motivational video can solve.

You might not be able to leverage the wiki portions you mapped out. If I was paying to use a site, I would not want to then have to go create content my self. If my hard earned dollars are going towards a subscription, then I want every last juicy tidbit spoon fed to me.

Another question, how are you going to secure your content? Subscription sites are great, but you might find your valuable content escaping into other sites. (American Express had "Exclusive" content for their card members for the Fox show "24", but everyone I know was still able to view them one way or another)

Despite my "critical" questions above, I commend you on the effort you have already put in. You make a good presentation. If you are looking for technical help, I am a programmer and could assist. Email me if you need people for your technical team.

This seems a good idea. As for the revenue part you can attrct some bit of interest by subscription fee. However, we need to see this sustainance in the long run. Today most websites offer different kind of templates and frameworks on various operational & life cycle stages of business and do little good.
I think we need to drill down to a level of subjectiveness that can comfortably generate a revenue.
Do let us know how you plan to address these issues.

ccozad & firefox: the purpose of the wiki is not an expectation that users will add content as I expect to populate it with my own content. If people want to add to it they can.

The focus of this tool is to get a business owner focused on creating outcomes. As entrepreneurs we tend to think that when we are working on 'activities' we are successful - in fact we need to learn to be sure our 'activities' are actually moving us toward creating outcomes i.e. steady cash flow, new clients, new business model.

firefox: what websites have you seen that "offer different kind of templates and frameworks on various operational & life cycle stages of business" I would love to see the ones you reference.

Without taking actions that lead to outcomes, little progress is made in a business. Knowing which actions to take to produce which outcomes is what makes the difference.

This tool will be focused on the 'technical aspects' of building a business not motivational videos - videos are a tool to communicate why they need to take specific types of actions and provide training to help them move forward.

A big thank you to everyone who voted and gave me feedback on my idea. I will be working on the next steps and preparing the Tournaments of Champions.

Thanks again!

You can source a development team: systems architect/strategist, developers, visual designer or experience specialist, for a very reasonable sum if you use off-shoring or near-shoring. I can put you in contact with few alternatives.

This idea is marvalous. I am very much interested if i can help you in any technical aspects. I wish this will be one of the most noticeable business idea around the world.
regards
dharmik
http://diligentinfosys.com

certainly a well thought out idea, one of the most theoretically developed I've seen here in a little while. Kudos for taking the time to create and initialize. I have no technical knowledge on how to program that, but wanted to wish you luck anyway!

(Gord editing this post to add a link to GregBG's corresponding video response. Here it is!)

Thanks for all the feedback and questions.

Since winning IdeaWarz I have been busy reorganizing the content I spoke of by consolidating three of my blogs, podcasts, and content into the new "Transitions" meme at the http://www.smallbusinesstransitions.com/ I purchased. Which is now live and populated with content. The next step is to build the "application layer" which will be the software application business owners will use to work on planning and developing their business.

Technology Options: Business Transition Management System

I have researched a number of options for developing and solving the technology portion of the "Business Transition Management System".

I have tested DabbleDB, Long Jump, and Iceberg - all are web 2.0 applications. They are relatively easy to use. All the design, configuration, and set up is done via a web browser without having to know programming.

I have developed a simple mashup using DabbleDB, which you can see at http://www.smallbusinesstransitions.com/help-me-build-the-entreprenurial-ecosystem/998/ the Transitions Blog.

Dabble DB looks good, but does not allow me to build a workflow or trigegr events.

Workflow is important because it allows me to set up triggers and events in the application. This means that when a business owner takes action by completing a specific task, the workflow will trigger a new task added to their calendar and to do list or send them instructions for the next step via email w/attachments.

The reason I want to use these web 2.0 applications to build my application is the flexibility to evolve, change, and modify the application on the fly. This will allow me to observe and learn as customers the use it and then make changes quickly.

I have signed an NDA agreement with LongJump and cannot speak directly about what their application. I expect a Private Beta Login to Iceberg next week.

From what I have seen so far, web application development is about to change in a major way. I am excited because I think we have a "perfect storm" - a collision of opportunities - to leverage technology to develop new businesses and solve business problems in unique and powerful ways.

I plan on adding additional details about my web application as they become available

Sorry, the links I added are borked. Here are the correct links:

http://www.smallbusinesstransitions.com/ http://www.smallbusinesstransitions.com/help-me-build-the-entreprenurial-ecosystem/998/

Greg sorry about those links, if you email me whatever they should be (if they're unclear... I'm not certain about all of them. I'll edit your posts to make them right and try fix the root prob.

Thanks for fixing the links!

Greg, It seem to be the missing puzzle piece in small business.
When I started my business it was like flying blind. I didn't know what I needed to do or what was important to making my business successful. As I have grown my business, I have had to learn the hard way through trial and error to become the success I want it to be. These Tools would make my journey to the next stage of my business, quicker, easier and more efficient. Bring them on! Quick, I am ready for growth again!

How is this an idea?
You are just asking others to remake your existing site. There are all ready existing sites that offer small business help. This idea seems to be nothing new.

Is there and idea here? It seems more like a I need help to redesign my site to work "idea".

Awesome ideas here! I can see so many ways to use this software. I could use this for teaching since I'm a teacher. So, hurry up and get it running QUICK! Collaboration is where it's at now...and I see this to be a great asset to other businesses outside of business coaching.

I do not understand it, somedays href tags work, today they don't. Email me gregbd at gmail dot com for the links, I mention above. Thanks!

GregBD sent me an email with active links so I'll re-post his comment with active links...

YouTube video of GregBD's responses.

Update: I have created a mash up of how I plan to develop an application. For this to be an "application" it needs to be able to:

1) Help business owners identify their "Issues & Problems".
2) Direct them to "Processes, Solutions, & Strategies".
3) Develop an application utilizing business logic, work flow, and triggers to lead business owners through a step-by-step process/project/plan - call it what you will - it is all about moving forward.

This is what makes it an application.

Actonitnow: thanks for your feedback, I am working as fast as I can.

Kevin_cox: did you review my Strategic Plan?

Perhaps you might feel better looking at the work flow I designed , which will form the basis of my coaching application. I was not going to make this portion public, but since you have repeatedly had the impression that somehow I need a CMS, suggested that I am trying to game Cambrian House, or am just trying get someone to redesign my web site (which I do not need, as I know a thing or two about web design having sold my web development business in 2003).

Whether I win the TOC or not, I am moving ahead.

I know my market, with 17 years experience, two business books published by McGraw-Hill Trade, experience in 32 industries, and coached, consulted, designed and delivered seminars to 100's of entrepreneurs.

Kevin_cox, you tell me is this an idea? If not, tell your definition of what an idea is?

Respectfully,

Greg Balanko-Dickson

P.S. Here is a mash up of the outline of issues/problems and Process, Solutions, & Strategies - what is missing is the application layer i.e. item three (3) above.

"somehow I need a CMS,"
"which I do not need, as I know a thing or two about web design having sold my web development business in 2003"

Site navigation is poor and you are using a personal blog to articulate business. There is no content management you have links going every which way. When you land the page there is no point of reference.

"Kevin_cox, you tell me is this an idea? If not, tell your definition of what an idea is?"
No, it is a pile of content. OK, an idea is a formulated thought and image of how something should be done. Let me put it this way. You are a construction worker and you have a pile of bricks of all different sizes. An idea is how you turn the bricks into a useful building. Not just hay check out my pile of bricks.

There seems to be no real idea and nothing new with your content. So, to me yes you are just asking people to remake your site. Because you all ready have a site and content. What the hell is the idea?

I tried to add links to this file last night, here it is:

http://www.smallbusi...ing_application2.pdf

Kevin_cox: we can agree to disagree.

Kevin_cox: the idea is in the application design, see the PDF referenced above.

It looks like you have a ton of experience in business. However, I'm not sure how this idea is going to be scalable and I don't see how you plan on capturing your target market.

Scaleable: It seems that the value add for your product is the personalized coaching. Unfortunately, you only have so many hours in a day to do coaching and so it's very difficult to scale your business. Without the personal touch, I don't really see how this service is worth paying a subscription fee when there are 274,000,000 search results for the keywords "small business articles."

Marketing: I currently have a blog that I have used to discuss small business, entrepreneurship, angel investing, etc. Despite a valiant effort, I found that it was very difficult to generate a large amount of traffic on those topics. Either people weren't searching those keywords online because they were getting them offline, the market was saturated with this content or possibly small business people just aren't taking the time to research these topics.

How do you expect to capture this market? Google won't even help you with many visitors since most of your content will be hidden behind your subscription service.

I think the secret to standing out is becoming such an industry expert that others swear by your commentary. Much like Joel Spolsky (http://www.joelonsoftware.com/) has done in the software industry.

And eventually I would think that the site income would be just a piece of the pie. There are books, speaking engagements, training courses, etc.

Google can be taken care of... there are always landing pages to capture the search engine queries.

Of course this is all opinion, gregbd can answer more authoritatively because I am just speaking as an individual. We were going to go down one path that would have had me doing some programming but a more economical solution was discovered. So that path didn't work out but I remain to support what I feel is a great idea.

I have seen the volume and quality of the content. This is the sort of thing that would be a great resource for businesses in all phases. I think that if some folks gave heed to the advice on Transitio that they would have much better chance of surviving and thriving.

canchita: Thanks for the comment, you ask some great questions, and make some important points. Thanks for raising them.

Over a period of three years I delivered my Marketing Safari seminar 150 times to more than 2,000 entrepreneurs and noticed a trend - the same questions were getting asked at almost every seminar.

Even though the people attending the seminars were different they all had similar challenges - otherwise why would the same questions get asked over and over again? One day a light bulb went on and I started adjusting the content and delivery of the seminar to make sure those questions got answered.

For example, every business needs revenue, hires employees, and needs to develop their product and services to meet the needs of the market. Over the life cycle of a business they might need a business loan, or an angel investor. While writing my book about business planning I identified 486 specific business development issues.

Depending on where your business is at in it's life cycle there are specific challenges and development issues that must be dealt with if you are to "transition" your business to the next level.

To make those transitions my web application will help entrepreneurs identify the results they need to create, the structure and controls, and the action plans to make it all happen.

Most important, I do not plan to do this alone. The online content is just one part of this system. Remember, there are three layers:

1) The content including articles, guides, and instructions.

2) The Business Transition Management System/Application: This web application will become the preferred life and business management system to help entrepreneurs operate and run their business.

3) Collaboration Dashboard: I will be inviting other seasoned business owners, investors, bankers, advisers, and business coaches to contribute to the knowledge base.

As far as attracting the small business market, this is a market I have worked in for the last 17 years, and am certain that a strong word of mouth (WOM) effect will develop as the project matures.

canchita did I answer your questions to your satisfaction?

ccozad: thanks for your feedback and I appreciate the support. I loved speaking with you and if for some reason the Software As A Service (SAAS) fails to prove useful, I will be in touch.

You can read more about SAAS at:

http://en.wikipedia....oftware_as_a_Service

The feeling is mutual :) I had a chance to peek a little beyond the "tip of the iceberg" and I liked what I saw. Glad to even have the opportunity.

My hope is that others not only see the potential for this idea but also recognize your track record of execution. I believe you when you said in one of your video responses that you have been and will continue to move this forward. At this stage of the game execution is key. (Hence why personally the voting has been tough this round, a lot of evidence of being able to execute)

ccozad: I want to be totally transparent to the community, when I entered Idea Warz it was on a bit of a lark, I wanted to check out this crowdsurcing thing to see what would happen.

When I started using their tools to prepare for the competition, I was intrigued to see what I could learn.

The real value of the competition, IMO, is the validation/critique of an idea, the comments/feedback, and the role that CH plays in pulling out the competitor in us.
I see this business developing in phases:

Phase 1) Prototype Development: using one of the SaaS tools previously mentioned.

Phase 2) Market Testing & Development: one of the things I have learned is not to pretend to know what the market wants. The value of using a SaaS is how quickly a person can create a prototype which brings the idea to market faster and ability to make changes quickly without further investment in development i.e. programming.

The face of small business has changed significantly in the last decade. Look at these statistics:

"In the last eight years entrepreneurial activity in the United States has grown from 7,200,770 businesses to 20,038,163 (according to the 2000 census)."

"A 2005 study by Frank N. Magid Associates found that 76 percent of small business stated that they wanted to grow their businesses significantly. In Canada the number of self-employed persons has doubled since 1976 to 2,412,700 (Statistics Canada, January 2004.)"

http://www.smallbusi...arting-your-own/684/

From where I sit small business has completely transformed,look at those numbers, an increase of almost 13,000,000 businesses in the US and doubling in Canada!

The pace of change in the small business arena is accelerating and the key attribute of small businesses who transition to big businesses - is agility and the uniqueness of an idea.

The size of the small business market is substantial, witness the growth of Google, they met a need in the small business market and are making millions everyday because they developed a compelling offer and made it easy for people.

Google experimented, they continue to do so, why would we as small business owners not follow their example. Test, experiment, learn, revise, experiment, learn, revise our approach until we get it right.

Phase 3) once we have captured the imagination of the market that will be the time to invest in some serious programming and development.

In the meantime, I am learning and adapting - seeking the holy grail of a small business web application that captures the imagination of the small business community and makes an impact on their lives and business.

If I can do that, the rest is easy.

BTW: I got inspired and registered gregonsmallbusiness.com thanks for the comparison. Keep in touch.

May the best idea win!

Thanks for the opportunity and good luck to Blog Mashing. I do not get it but hey I guess the geeks rule in CH.

Thanks to everyone who provided support and feedback.