Edition: May 18th, 2021
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Excerpts from article by Roberto Liccardo, published in Entrepreneur.com
The digital age has brought out the entrepreneur in many people. With communication now simple across boundaries that were once difficult to cross and the internet offering connectivity and commercial opportunities, businesses can be easily launched from a smartphone, today.
The modern smartphone is a powerful tool that can be used to perform just about every necessary action a business needs, including accounting functions. What’s more, you don’t have to be stuck in an office. You can be on the move and take business actions!
Let’s look at what sort of business can be started with your smartphone, and what other tools you may need to enhance growth:
1. Drop-shipping business
It is an order fulfilment method that does not require a business to keep products in stock. Instead, the store sells the product, and passes on the sales order to a third-party supplier, who then ships the order to the customer. This concept is popular, and many people are making a lot of money selling goods they have never even seen. There are fees, of course, but it’s a simple way of successfully starting a selling business.
2. Outsourced customer service
In this the management of a customer-facing communication channel is transferred to a third-party service provider. It is becoming ever more popular with smaller businesses. This sort of business is easy to run and can be lucrative if you find the right clients.
3. Other options
The above two concepts can be amended and mixed to produce a range of other businesses that can be run from a smartphone.
Put simply, any business that involves communication as its primary purpose or requires warehousing services from another source can easily be started using your smartphone.
As your company grows, you’ll probably want to move towards a conventional business setup. However, in the beginning, a smartphone can be your most powerful tool to get started.
A smartphone can also help you add quality, speed and agility to your conventional businesses.
E.g. These days, a lot of doctors have successfully transitioned from traditional clinic based set-ups to telemedicine. Similarly, teachers are ensuring continued learning for students though online classes. There are many such examples.
Tools you need to start your business
- The main tool is, of course, your smartphone.
- A dedicated phone number for business use. This makes sense professionally and in terms of convenience. Some smartphones take two SIM cards and you can switch between them.
- Once your business begins to take off, perhaps, a home office may be worth setting up. Nothing fancy, just the basics.
- Good Internet and Bluetooth connectivity.
Checklist for a smartphone business
Here’s a quick list of things to consider before starting your business:
- Choose the type of business carefully, and if importing and selling, ensure you find a product that will sell and has scope for growth.
- Your smartphone will be the central hub for your business. Keep it charged all the time. Buy a good power pack for emergency moments.
- Get a separate SIM for your business number. It looks professional and you will know when you are answering business calls.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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Great pointers !