With millions of people out of work and the government seeming unable to create conditions that will private sector jobs anytime soon, many poeple are looking to be in business. Some try to start from scratch. Some invest in franchises. Still others go for business models like affiliate marketing and MLM businesses. These latter are called “business opportunities,” and they are legion.

Assuming that you are interested in exploring any business opportunity, it is important to evaluate whether it is something you truly want to be part of. Surely this matters, for if you associate with bad companies and promote them, you stand to not only lose money and time, but your name and reputation could be injured by association.

Just think of the people who worked at Enron. While that’s an extreme example, you know that anyone who puts “Enron” on their resumes will have people raise eyebrows when they see it. Even if a person was no more than a janitor on the night shift, the word “Enron” might be problematic.

If you are a marketer, sales rep, or pitchman for a company – you are much more central to the business than a janitor. You need to be sure that the company is one you are truly willing to stand with.

START WITH “LOCAL-THINK”

Begin by thinking about the businesses in your community – the stores and services in your town. Think about what they do and how long they’ve been serving your community. Some of them have been around for years. Very likely some of them have expanded as well. And, of course, some will have boarded their windows and gone away.

Many factors go into this, of course – far beyond the scope of a small short article like this. But even so, we can look to discover some of the key factors involved.

And, as we will see, what is true of businesses generally is also true of the business opportunity that you may be considering. For just as with businesses generally, some of those offering you business opportunities grow and thrive, and have stood long tests of time. Others see initial blow-out sales and then die shortly after they are born. Still others never see any kind of success.

THE BUSINESS FOUNDATIONS

If you think about it logically, shouldn’t we begin with the business’ foundation? After all – if the foundation is a good one – if the *business model* is a good one, then all other things being equal, that business has a better chance of success. And businesses that offer “business opportunities” (including MLM businesses) are no exception.

This only makes sense, right?

FACTORS WORTH CONSIDERING

First, be sure that the company provides real value in what it offers its customers. But not just its customers. How about the rest of the community. Does it treat people right? Is it responsive to questions or concerns that you have? Such things matter greatly. Especially if you are going to join them.

Consider: when you first join, you’ll have plenty of questions. This is normal and as it should be. But if the company isn’t responsive, how will you get your questions answered. The company MUST be responsive to you.

Then you’ll want to see if the company’s marketing and sales models are flawed.

If there is no value-added – and I mean up and down the line of customers (MLMs are special in that sellers are their upline’s customers), then there’s “trouble in River City.”

Also, if the sales and marketing models are flawed, you’re going to want to steer clear of them. So you need to determine if the marketing processes are good or processes that leave you feeling cold and queasy.

There ARE good business opportunities out there. But you need to do your “due diligence” and make sure you are signing up with programs that match your values and that have a decent chance of helping you make a good living.

Author Bio: Bal Simon runs The Business Opportunities Report. There is always a time-limited free report availalbe which becomes for-pay when the next report goes live. If you want the current report while it’s free, visit http://businessopportunitiesreport.com today.

Category: Business
Keywords: business, business opportunities, mlm, ray higdon, numis, numismatic coins, attraction marketing