A 'Boards' based/founded business... anyone??

Lplated

An idea strikes me ... see what ye's think.

A lot of people who either run a business or want to run a business read this forum. Collectively they have a lot to offer in various ways necessary to entrepreneurship.

How about a business started collectively, or co-operatively, from here on Boards?

It would need to be something (like food, thus why i originally posted this idea in this thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055490569), that is general enough that could be supported by many boards users.

The idea would be to plan the business, in toto, on a public forum (think of all the publicity that would generate), and get it up and running.
Obviously a lot would need to be decided, and there would be work in it, but.... your thoughts??

fenris

sounds like a recipe for mayhem of the highest order - I'm in!

This would answer a lot of questions and give a snapshot of the basics relative to the current very unforgiving environment.

Darragh29

I think as an idea, fail.

YellowSheep

I am in. Oliver

Bandara

DubTony

Nice idea. All the combined knowledge of the business people on here would lead to the most intense arguments ever heard in any boardroom anywhere on the planet. The only way this would be a profitable venture would be if we all got together and sold the rights to a television company. I can see it now.

The Entrepreneurs.

12 business people, who think they know it all, work together (hopefully) to develop a world beating ... (insert business type here) ...
And YOU get to decide who goes.

To vote to eject Darragh29 call 1590 Darragh
To vote to eject Hammertime call 1590 Hammer
yada yada yada

calls cost €2.40 a minute and will last 10 minutes. Please dial carefully. We wouldn't want you to give the money to the Psychics Line.


edit : hmmmmmmm - OK, is this post proof enough that I thought of this idea first?
Can I patent a post? hmmmmmmm

Darragh29

Lplated wrote: »

An idea strikes me ... see what ye's think.

A lot of people who either run a business or want to run a business read this forum. Collectively they have a lot to offer in various ways necessary to entrepreneurship.

How about a business started collectively, or co-operatively, from here on Boards?

It would need to be something (like food, thus why i originally posted this idea in this thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055490569), that is general enough that could be supported by many boards users.

The idea would be to plan the business, in toto, on a public forum (think of all the publicity that would generate), and get it up and running.
Obviously a lot would need to be decided, and there would be work in it, but.... your thoughts??

+1.

Starting a business is a serious expedition OP. The journey typically doesn't lend itself well to reality TV type exhibitionists.

Lplated

Darragh29 wrote: »

+1.

Starting a business is a serious expedition OP. The journey typically doesn't lend itself well to reality TV type exhibitionists.

Not sure why you directed your 'serious expedition' comment at me Darragh - i'm not aware of having given the impression that it was anything but serious.
Nor did i mention the reality tv idea.

Lplated

So a mixture of thoughts.

A public food business would involve significant investment, which might be hard to do in a 'project' like this.

So what about something that involved an investment of time rather than money - something that could be done online maybe? Rather than stumping up cash, those involved commit X hours per week - would that change any perspectives?

Darragh29

Lplated wrote: »

So a mixture of thoughts.

A public food business would involve significant investment, which might be hard to do in a 'project' like this.

So what about something that involved an investment of time rather than money - something that could be done online maybe? Rather than stumping up cash, those involved commit X hours per week - would that change any perspectives?

If it involves significant investment, well then unless you have collectively got significant investment, then it's obviously a non-runner. If anything is going to work in the current climate, I think it has to involve very little seed capital and a team of very hard and committed people and also a good idea. What exactly is a "public food business"???

Darragh29

Lplated wrote: »

Not sure why you directed your 'serious expedition' comment at me Darragh - i'm not aware of having given the impression that it was anything but serious.
Nor did i mention the reality tv idea.

Sorry I meant to quote DubTony there...

DubTony

Darragh, your reply in post 7 is confusing. I can't work out who it's aimed at.
To clarify, my post was in jest. I was suggesting an "Apprentice" type show that would eventually be sold to tv companies all over the world and would therefore make a profit. I can't see that the proposed boards based business would be a runner, as there would be too many "chiefs". Although watching the exploits and consistent banging of heads that would go on might be entertaining. Just clearing that up.

edit:

Darragh wrote:

Sorry I meant to quote DubTony there...

OK. Sorted

Lplated

DubTony wrote: »

To clarify, my post was in jest. I was suggesting an "Apprentice" type show that would eventually be sold to tv companies all over the world and would therefore make a profit. I can't see that the proposed boards based business would be a runner, as there would be too many "chiefs". Although watching the exploits and consistent banging of heads that would go on might be entertaining. Just clearing that up.

Jest aside, its not that bad an idea - although i wouldn't be too keen on the appearing on tv myself.

Lplated

Darragh29 wrote: »

If it involves significant investment, well then unless you have collectively got significant investment, then it's obviously a non-runner. If anything is going to work in the current climate, I think it has to involve very little seed capital and a team of very hard and committed people and also a good idea. What exactly is a "public food business"???

Agree with all of this.

Significant investment is out for a variety of reasons, and would only serve to confuse matters anyway.

My phrase 'public food business' (shockingly badly put... sorry) - i meant something like a pizza parlour or similar franshise, as it was that discussion on the other thread that got me thinking - but in hindsight, that would cost too much etc etc..

So - we need an idea that involves very little seed captial, and a team of hard and committed people.... thoughts anyone??

shoutman

I'd be up for investing some time into this. Not sure what sort of a business would require a lot of man hours and not a lot of seed capital but would still require a lot of business skills.

Lplated

shoutman wrote: »

I'd be up for investing some time into this. Not sure what sort of a business would require a lot of man hours and not a lot of seed capital but would still require a lot of business skills.

If we got 20 volunteers to commit 2 hours per week - equals one full time employee.

Key would be to transfer those 40 hours in something productive.

Something web based is probably the most likely option given a number of reasons -

1. You can both set up and have a web site hosted for free/very cheap

2. Promotion of a website through social networking, blogging, seo optimisation etc... is well suited (imo) to part time commitment of 2 hours per week each.

gypsy777

Focusing on some sort of web based business would help as far as minimising start up costs and over heads.
You could try and secure free web hosting from the digiweb/boards competition thread.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055180194&page=59

The hard part...an idea.

The easiest thing I can think of would be to create an authoritive information site focused around varius topics and look to monetise any traffic it gets via affiliate marketing, adsense and advertising. No stock to purchase and hold on to, no real over heads...just need quality content that ranks well in the search engines.

i can help with SEO if you manage to get a site together.

As for the 20 volunteer idea...you would need some decent project management going on for it to not turn into a complete waste of time.

amen

I'll do the pm for you!

deepriver

what about banking?

Theres a gap in the market there and I think you guys might be good at it...

deepriver

joking aside, example of a web forum based management structure, so I guess in theory its possible but the implementation might be a headache

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebbsfleet_United_F.C.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gravesend_and_northfleet/7089473.stm

Dabko

www.GoForIt.ie


what about a resource website in which everyone and anyone who has ever started a business - successful or failed - gives their stories, do's and dont's, that sort of thing.

There is no proper Irish website out there thats cuts out all the bullsh1t accossiated with starting or running a business in ireland. Tax, legal requirments, employing people, licencing, county councils, planning permisions...bla bla bla. If you've ever tried to trapse through the utter sh1te the government/revenue/coco's have compiled, you will know what i mean.

Site would be a register only style site where there are forums within. Registered business owners can also promote their products that are on offer to other businesses within the 'community'

There are a million and one joomla based cms/forum website templates out there for next to nothing cost wise. By pooling a number of skills such as marketing, advertising, web development, web design and genearal life skill, i would say it has a decent shot.

Theres my 2 cents.