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Do you have a business idea you'd like to share?
- Thread starter beefybull
- Start date
tahoe2003 said:
Hey dick,
The whole point of these forums is to discuss ideas. Just b/c you're a shiesty muthafucka doesnt mean you should project your guilt about being an idea-thief onto all of us. Not all of us are that way.
Also, factor in that most people dont live anywhere near each other means that you likely wouldnt be stepping on anyones toes.
You better not make any posts like this again or I will haunt you with red.
A
Alright123
Guest
Razor Guns posted an idea of putting camera/photo kiosks into nightclubs. Majority of nightclubs i've been to do not have them. Would be decent profit, i am sure the owners would want a lot as well. How much do they cost ?
Razorguns
Well-known member
We can post billions of ideas.
But what'll happen is -- it'll just be eye candy, and nothing will ever come out of it -- by anyone.
Most ideas require "further research". ie: Feasability studies. See if it really is profitable.
If I posted a simple "I believe this might be a good profit-making opportunity" .. many would agree -- but an equal number would probably have no idea what to do next.
Translation:
You can post 10,000 "money-making ideas" online. 90% of people wil read it, then forget about it. 5% will read it, do some research for a day or two (while on cloud 9) -- then forget about it. 3% will do project plans, research, phone calls, but be paranoid about every little thing -- then forget about it.
Guess what the final 2% do?
That's what's really important. What those 2% do. Those 2% i bet could make money out of any opportunity. Just knowing the idea is pretty useless. You're only like 5% there. You have the mission statement of how to make that money -- now you gotta go write the table of contents and the manual. Very few have the knowledge or energy to go do that.
You're better off working for someone else then. Soemone who _did_ figure it out.
And look around you. most of the money-making "ideas" of businesses in your city are pretty freakin' basic. Sell hamburgers. Sell clothes. Run a gas station. Do advertising. Run out an apartment. Fix cars, blah blah blah.
But what'll happen is -- it'll just be eye candy, and nothing will ever come out of it -- by anyone.
Most ideas require "further research". ie: Feasability studies. See if it really is profitable.
If I posted a simple "I believe this might be a good profit-making opportunity" .. many would agree -- but an equal number would probably have no idea what to do next.
Translation:
You can post 10,000 "money-making ideas" online. 90% of people wil read it, then forget about it. 5% will read it, do some research for a day or two (while on cloud 9) -- then forget about it. 3% will do project plans, research, phone calls, but be paranoid about every little thing -- then forget about it.
Guess what the final 2% do?
That's what's really important. What those 2% do. Those 2% i bet could make money out of any opportunity. Just knowing the idea is pretty useless. You're only like 5% there. You have the mission statement of how to make that money -- now you gotta go write the table of contents and the manual. Very few have the knowledge or energy to go do that.
You're better off working for someone else then. Soemone who _did_ figure it out.
And look around you. most of the money-making "ideas" of businesses in your city are pretty freakin' basic. Sell hamburgers. Sell clothes. Run a gas station. Do advertising. Run out an apartment. Fix cars, blah blah blah.
A
Alright123
Guest
Or we can just post ideas....right ? just because
Razorguns
Well-known member
KGBGUY said:
Better yet. I'll post some "mock" idea that might be profitable. And use it as a board case study where we all analyze it, and talk about all the different elements of the business plan. See what we can muster up about it and then figure out near the end whether it's feasible to go further or not.
A
Alright123
Guest
KGBGUY said:
.
bran987
New member
there was a business idea website awhile back that was pretty cool. not idea lab... what was it... hmmm..
beefy this is a good idea. razor, you never know where your great idea will come from
you make a good point that most businesses are run of the mill and just take initiative and planning, capital.. etc.. but as synpax used to point out all the time, if something hits you that novel/different/you can create/protect with a high barrier to entry etc... well that's something truly special.
and the whole 'someone will steal my idea' is laughed at by venture capitalists. the ones I've met tell me so many people come to them every week saying how this new secret idea is going to blow up the world. they think nobody else has thought of it. but when they present the business plan the VC chuckles to himself because this is the 3rd time someone has brought him the same 'original' idea
I'll throw my hat in the ring.
recently we've been struggling to get one of our projects sold because of an acoustical problem in the building. it seems that in the past few years the standard for 'footfall noise' i.e. high heel noise has been raised (so not like radio or TV noise between units, but noise that would resonate through walls from people walking on hardwood floors or slate/marble).
anyway, the standard has been raised but tons and tons of developers haven't changed the way they build yet. for example it will cost us $1.5 million just to fix this problem. not insurmountable by any means but trust me this is a huge hassle.
the only reason we or anyone else caught it is because we have a public company trying to buy our building so they stick to strict testing.
there are literally thousands of buildings out there that I know would not pass code, and which are already completed, and which were built AFTER this code change.
I thought about teaming up with a lawyer and going to the HOA associations in all these buildings and doing the acoustical test that never got done in the first place, showing the HOA that the building was faulty and it's the fault of the developers and GC's (who have 10-15 years of liability after construction is completed).
tell the lawyer I want 30% for bringing this to him. you could literally make millions overnight. potentially.
just an idea
so now am I scared that I just posted this? no. I'm not. and MattTheGenius is in insurance litigation!. Ideas come around every day. facilitate the free exchange of ideas. brainstorm. it's good for you!
beefy this is a good idea. razor, you never know where your great idea will come from
you make a good point that most businesses are run of the mill and just take initiative and planning, capital.. etc.. but as synpax used to point out all the time, if something hits you that novel/different/you can create/protect with a high barrier to entry etc... well that's something truly special.
and the whole 'someone will steal my idea' is laughed at by venture capitalists. the ones I've met tell me so many people come to them every week saying how this new secret idea is going to blow up the world. they think nobody else has thought of it. but when they present the business plan the VC chuckles to himself because this is the 3rd time someone has brought him the same 'original' idea
I'll throw my hat in the ring.
recently we've been struggling to get one of our projects sold because of an acoustical problem in the building. it seems that in the past few years the standard for 'footfall noise' i.e. high heel noise has been raised (so not like radio or TV noise between units, but noise that would resonate through walls from people walking on hardwood floors or slate/marble).
anyway, the standard has been raised but tons and tons of developers haven't changed the way they build yet. for example it will cost us $1.5 million just to fix this problem. not insurmountable by any means but trust me this is a huge hassle.
the only reason we or anyone else caught it is because we have a public company trying to buy our building so they stick to strict testing.
there are literally thousands of buildings out there that I know would not pass code, and which are already completed, and which were built AFTER this code change.
I thought about teaming up with a lawyer and going to the HOA associations in all these buildings and doing the acoustical test that never got done in the first place, showing the HOA that the building was faulty and it's the fault of the developers and GC's (who have 10-15 years of liability after construction is completed).
tell the lawyer I want 30% for bringing this to him. you could literally make millions overnight. potentially.
just an idea
so now am I scared that I just posted this? no. I'm not. and MattTheGenius is in insurance litigation!. Ideas come around every day. facilitate the free exchange of ideas. brainstorm. it's good for you!
Approach people living in the lower floors of new buildings and id bet they would be interested, noise coming through the ceiling would drive me insane. I assume you would only one need to test one appartment before you could approuch all the tenants/owners, ie. do a free inspection, then make your returns on the litigation.
Something that may interest the building guys, a guy here just won an award for acoustically tuned wall vents, they let in natural ventilation but block external noise, something that is fairly hard to do.
Something that may interest the building guys, a guy here just won an award for acoustically tuned wall vents, they let in natural ventilation but block external noise, something that is fairly hard to do.
bran987
New member
The test costs about $2,000-$3,000Razorguns said:
Yes you'd target newly built condo buildings, high rise. you only have to do the test in 1 unit and the results would apply to the entire building (high rises, hundreds of units).
Hell yes HOA's would care because increased footfall noise between units is a detractor from the value of their home.
Crox was the only one who sorta got it
yep, that is the STC rating and these concrete buildings test very well for that kind of noise ("ambient" noise they say).Razorguns said:
IIC rating, totally different is where the high rises get in trouble ("footfall noise".
the condo owner's would sue the developer & GC and most likely settle for some number between 0 and the cost to replace the tile or stone flooring in the whole building.wesley90 said:
guys don't get hung up on the details of this, it's a lot to figure out and way too hard to explain the minor nuances on a website.
have any great ideas struck you guys lately?Bran
Good post. Here is the insurance litigation guy in me talking:
Most GCs and architects hide their assets very well, so they make difficult lawsuit targets. They create corporations for each project or project group, and they sign every agreement on standard AIA forms, which just about waive everything and bar mostsuits.
In TX and FL, the builders are a strong lobby. Start sending lawyers up the asses of HOAs and you're going to have some problems.
You make money in business when you remove inefficiencies, not create them.
Good post. Here is the insurance litigation guy in me talking:
Most GCs and architects hide their assets very well, so they make difficult lawsuit targets. They create corporations for each project or project group, and they sign every agreement on standard AIA forms, which just about waive everything and bar mostsuits.
In TX and FL, the builders are a strong lobby. Start sending lawyers up the asses of HOAs and you're going to have some problems.
You make money in business when you remove inefficiencies, not create them.
bran987
New member
Matt,MattTheSkywalker said:Bran
Good post. Here is the insurance litigation guy in me talking:
Most GCs and architects hide their assets very well, so they make difficult lawsuit targets. They create corporations for each project or project group, and they sign every agreement on standard AIA forms, which just about waive everything and bar mostsuits.
In TX and FL, the builders are a strong lobby. Start sending lawyers up the asses of HOAs and you're going to have some problems.
You make money in business when you remove inefficiencies, not create them.
You PERFECTLY illustrated why it's great to share your ideas with others.
You forgot to mention something else, it's a scumbucket way to make money and I would be backstabbing my development brethren which I would hate doing
.Althought as a caveat, we've gotten money out of both GC's and architects, and people have gotten money out of us even though we have separate partnerships for every project.
Not easy, but it's never possible to hide everything!
bran987 said:Matt,
You PERFECTLY illustrated why it's great to share your ideas with others.
You forgot to mention something else, it's a scumbucket way to make money and I would be backstabbing my development brethren which I would hate doing
Althought as a caveat, we've gotten money out of both GC's and architects, and people have gotten money out of us even though we have separate partnerships for every project.
Not easy, but it's never possible to hide everything!
That's what I am here for bro.
bran987 said:
No need to apologize. Look - if you went on a business leader's forum and asked for fitness and training advice, you'd hear nothing.
A few larger themes:
To make money, you have to actually add value. Anyplace where value is added, people will show up and try to make a few bucks off of that value. Car dealers, realtors, lawyers etc are all people who look to make money off of value being generated.
Unsophisticated people think "If I am making money this is good, doesn't matter how". Everyone knows a car salesman who made $250K last year, or a realtor, or lawyer, or whatever.
All losers. Investment bankers and their surrounding analysts and functionaries? All losers. We are using an investment bank now to do a deal...done plenty before, lot of high GPA's surrounded by zero (and I mean ZERO) common sense.
Why all losers? Because each of them actually reduces the amount of value in a transaction. Bran - you are in the RE biz - you know how high friction that biz is. Markets will always seek to reduce friction. So why do people want jobs that are being reduced all the time?
Answer: because people are idiots.
So you don't want to be an idiot. Good. Plenty out there. Then you have to do something that increases value. New invention? Good luck. Leave that to the Cal tech PhD's and other assorted electrical engineer nerd types.
The other way to increase value is to remove inefficiencies in an existing business. Do it better. Cheaper. Faster. Compress cycle times. Many vendors do this through software tools, or whatever.
So why does no one mention that?
Because you actually have to have half a brain to do it. In order to increase value, you have to understand where inefficiencies are. In order to understand that, you actually have to know how a business works.
Bran, this is why I tell you to not worry about how much you make now - with knowledge, it will come. But getting that knowldege is hard.
Our biz started with two guys who wanted to remove one inefficiency in the insurance biz. And we learned. Now we have about $1B flowing through the offiec every year, every major consultant bids for us to join them on their projects, and we're opening a European office.
So what do I know?
This is why idea exchange is critical.
Razorguns
Well-known member
"Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill talks all about "adding value to whatever service you sell" as the means to obtaining riches. Half the book talks about how to figure this out, and make it the backbone, the passion, of what you do.
The slowest way to make money is being 'another guy on the block' selling the same widget or service. You're adding nothing new to the mix, attracting no one's attention and as a result -- wind up making little.
You may make money, but there won't be no new found romantic success.
Oh, and finding inefficiencies and "better way to do things" should be a 24/7 job. Even while sitting there eating a hot dog, staring at something -- your mind, your brain, should subconciously be thinking about this.
Know all those people who have a "Eureka" moment and think of some awesome idea to do something better? They didn't just sit there and decide "okay, now next 10 minutes -- let me think of something".
No. It's because they put their mindset into a "efficiciency lookout mode" (the book above talks all about this mindset). Which results in having your sub-concious automatically start noticing these things.
Which is why, if you hang out with me all day, i'm always analyzing every little tiny tidbit of stuff i see all day and making improvements in my head. Yes it can be annoying sometime.
In a way -- it's also tying into your creative side. So if your'e creative by nature, always thinking out of the box -- you're already ahead of the pack.
The slowest way to make money is being 'another guy on the block' selling the same widget or service. You're adding nothing new to the mix, attracting no one's attention and as a result -- wind up making little.
You may make money, but there won't be no new found romantic success.
Oh, and finding inefficiencies and "better way to do things" should be a 24/7 job. Even while sitting there eating a hot dog, staring at something -- your mind, your brain, should subconciously be thinking about this.
Know all those people who have a "Eureka" moment and think of some awesome idea to do something better? They didn't just sit there and decide "okay, now next 10 minutes -- let me think of something".
No. It's because they put their mindset into a "efficiciency lookout mode" (the book above talks all about this mindset). Which results in having your sub-concious automatically start noticing these things.
Which is why, if you hang out with me all day, i'm always analyzing every little tiny tidbit of stuff i see all day and making improvements in my head. Yes it can be annoying sometime.
In a way -- it's also tying into your creative side. So if your'e creative by nature, always thinking out of the box -- you're already ahead of the pack.
A
Alright123
Guest
"Think and Grow Rich" is a great read. I"ve read it 4 times now. Highly recommend it to everyone and for those who need extra motivation.
JayC9
Well-known member
Yes, the 'Bum Squirter.'
The 'bum squirter' is a small device that squirts a jet of water to clean your ass, a paper alternative if you want. It's found all over Asia yet I've never seen one in Europe or the States.
Before you turn up your nose let me say that not only will it revolutionize your toilet experience but it's also hygienic, economical, eco-friendly and above all effective (no more skid marks). So many people have said, "no I don't think I'd ever get used to that," and after using it they would never want to change back to wiping shit off their arse with paper. It must be the only undiscovered wonder of Asia!
Basically it's a length of tubing that's attached to your water pipe under the toilet with a small gun and trigger to squirt the water. They cost about $5 each.
I really don't know why they're not used in the States or Europe? My theory is that it's the big toilet tissue companies conspiring to keep it out as they know it would cost them big time and eventually make them redundant. If it could be advertised and brought in as a standard fixture in all new homes I'm sure it would take off.
I truly believe that the big toilet tissue companies would pay out big time just to keep this little device from becoming a household item.
I'm absolutely serious when I say that if anyone’s interested in marketing this little wonder that I'll send you free samples and do all the product research.
What do you think?
The 'bum squirter' is a small device that squirts a jet of water to clean your ass, a paper alternative if you want. It's found all over Asia yet I've never seen one in Europe or the States.
Before you turn up your nose let me say that not only will it revolutionize your toilet experience but it's also hygienic, economical, eco-friendly and above all effective (no more skid marks). So many people have said, "no I don't think I'd ever get used to that," and after using it they would never want to change back to wiping shit off their arse with paper. It must be the only undiscovered wonder of Asia!
Basically it's a length of tubing that's attached to your water pipe under the toilet with a small gun and trigger to squirt the water. They cost about $5 each.
I really don't know why they're not used in the States or Europe? My theory is that it's the big toilet tissue companies conspiring to keep it out as they know it would cost them big time and eventually make them redundant. If it could be advertised and brought in as a standard fixture in all new homes I'm sure it would take off.
I truly believe that the big toilet tissue companies would pay out big time just to keep this little device from becoming a household item.
I'm absolutely serious when I say that if anyone’s interested in marketing this little wonder that I'll send you free samples and do all the product research.
What do you think?
bran987
New member
I had an idea for mechanic's shops this morning.
I always think they are such crooks. I think everyone does. Sometimes I feel like I take my car in and it just sits there and I come back and pick up the keys and pay them $300. So if you were one of the shops that actually runs a legitimate and honest business you get all the bad reputation that goes along with the industry and it's not your fault.
So I thought that they could run a video camera while they're fixing your car, so you can see them fixing everything! And hand you a tape or a DVD when you pick up your car. You can buy DVD's for like a quarter now, and talk about word of mouth!
Next time somebody mentioned getting ripped off at the mechanic, someone says, "well I feel bad for you, but my shop gives me a tape so I know my work's been done!"
I'm sure it would be opening them up to liability in other ways, but what a way for a company to separate themselves in an industry with a terrible reputation. And I don't think the crooked shops wouldn't be able to copy you unless they cleaned up their act.
Maybe it's just my desire to know what's going on but it seemed like a good idea this morning
I always think they are such crooks. I think everyone does. Sometimes I feel like I take my car in and it just sits there and I come back and pick up the keys and pay them $300. So if you were one of the shops that actually runs a legitimate and honest business you get all the bad reputation that goes along with the industry and it's not your fault.
So I thought that they could run a video camera while they're fixing your car, so you can see them fixing everything! And hand you a tape or a DVD when you pick up your car. You can buy DVD's for like a quarter now, and talk about word of mouth!
Next time somebody mentioned getting ripped off at the mechanic, someone says, "well I feel bad for you, but my shop gives me a tape so I know my work's been done!"
I'm sure it would be opening them up to liability in other ways, but what a way for a company to separate themselves in an industry with a terrible reputation. And I don't think the crooked shops wouldn't be able to copy you unless they cleaned up their act.
Maybe it's just my desire to know what's going on but it seemed like a good idea this morning
Razorguns
Well-known member
Some of those might be too fancy. Let's get basic:
Secure rights to old childhood shows and cartoons and programs we all grew up on as kids..
And market DVD's under the "Our Childhood Classics" moniker.
Sell them in stores all across the country -- targeting new parents who want their kids to watch the tv shows THEY grew up on. All the Electric Company's, Readalongs, Polka Dot Door, Jeremy, Hammy the Hamster, Dr Snuggles, you name it.
Start securing rights to childhood programs in other countries with large immigrant populations here in the US. Eg: Mexican children shows from the 70s. Asian children's shows. etc.
Think something easily doable like that with low investments and manpower, with an attractive hook buyers would be interested in. Plus something that isn't out there, combined with a concept that's already proven (people buying dvd's they recognize).
Secure rights to old childhood shows and cartoons and programs we all grew up on as kids..
And market DVD's under the "Our Childhood Classics" moniker.
Sell them in stores all across the country -- targeting new parents who want their kids to watch the tv shows THEY grew up on. All the Electric Company's, Readalongs, Polka Dot Door, Jeremy, Hammy the Hamster, Dr Snuggles, you name it.
Start securing rights to childhood programs in other countries with large immigrant populations here in the US. Eg: Mexican children shows from the 70s. Asian children's shows. etc.
Think something easily doable like that with low investments and manpower, with an attractive hook buyers would be interested in. Plus something that isn't out there, combined with a concept that's already proven (people buying dvd's they recognize).
JayC9
Well-known member
I like the idea of selling nothing to people. Let me explain....
I'm thinking about something like a marketing company with a catchy name and an easily recognizable motif. This is then sold as a 'mark of excellence' to the major food and drink brands. For their money they get the stamp of approval on their product and materials to advertise the fact in their stores (small outlay). Every company likes to display awards and comendations on their products.
The consumer is told that the mark of excellence was earned through extensive market research and rigorous product testing.
Of course these results can be made up and you're never going to turn away a company that's willing to pay for the 'stamp of approval' anyway.
Something like this could be started on a very low budget and has the potential to be sold to almost any kind of food and drink product.
I'm thinking about something like a marketing company with a catchy name and an easily recognizable motif. This is then sold as a 'mark of excellence' to the major food and drink brands. For their money they get the stamp of approval on their product and materials to advertise the fact in their stores (small outlay). Every company likes to display awards and comendations on their products.
The consumer is told that the mark of excellence was earned through extensive market research and rigorous product testing.
Of course these results can be made up and you're never going to turn away a company that's willing to pay for the 'stamp of approval' anyway.
Something like this could be started on a very low budget and has the potential to be sold to almost any kind of food and drink product.
Jay Cartwright said:
FDA hurdles bor.
Razorguns
Well-known member
Jay Cartwright said:
Bunch of fake "Certified by Blah Blah Agency for Authenticity in Payouts" logos on their site. Means shit.
Online casinos are booming. Even the mob has started to look into this. They're just not that technical enough to undersatnd it, and it's the ony thing holding them back.
Online Casino Marketing is also booming. Find unique ways to market online casinos. They'll pay you up the wazoo. Celeb endorsements. Movie mentions. Cross-promotion. You name it.
Guvna
New member
I dont know how good this idea is, and it has probably been though of), but to have a CD store that take back and replaces scatched CDs . When a cd is bought (for a dollar or 2 more than normal), it comes wiht some kind of insurance. Bring it back with receipt AND the original CD, and get a free copy. I dont think there would be any copyright infringments this way. And, I mean, I would be damn interested in this if I were the consumer.
