Ideation Stage Resources
You’re ready to make your business idea a reality, congratulations! Now it’s time to capture that idea in a way that you can easily communicate to others and build out your business plan to see how your idea holds up. To help you get started, check out these resources before you advance to the next level: the Building Stage. Want to learn more about different stages of business and the milestones? Check out our business growth roadmap.
Table of Contents
How to Get Started
How do I do a S.W.O.T (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) Analysis?
- How to Complete a S.W.O.T. Analysis for your Business Idea How to Conduct a SWOT Analysis for Your Small Business (thebalancesmb.com)
Will my business idea work?
- How to Get Great Customer Feedback on Your Business Idea https://www.dropbox.com/s/jh0ev5pesgjlodl/research-worksheet.pdf?dl=0
- How to Host a Design Sprint https://www.thesprintbook.com/the-design-sprint
- Testing Business Ideas for Market Need by Steve Blank Before You Start Designing – It’s Time to Get Out of the Building | Interaction Design Foundation (IxDF) (interaction-design.org)
- How to Get Customer Feedback on Your Business Idea by John Zeratsky Getting out of the building isn’t enough
- The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
What you’ll learn about: customer experience, user experience, product/service development, market testing, finding your ideal market
- Startup School by Seth Godin
What you’ll learn about: how to build and run your dream business
- Start with Why by Simon Sinek
What you’ll learn about: brand culture, communication, vision, purpose
- Testing Business Ideas for Market Need by Steve Blank Steve Blank: The Key to Startup Success? ‘Get Out of the Building’ | Inc.com (2 min)
Strategy
How do I create a lean business canvas? (one-page simple business plan)
- Lean Business Canvas Template — Link to Word Doc Download
- How to Complete a Lean Business Canvas https://neoschronos.com/insights/how-to-create-your-business-model-lean-canvas-edition/
- Lean Business Canvas Explained and Examples https://railsware.com/blog/5-lean-canvas-examples/
- Why a Lean Business Canvas Can Be More Useful Than a Full Business Plan https://hbr.org/2013/05/why-the-lean-start-up-changes-everything
- Art of the Start 2.0 by Guy Kawaski
What you’ll learn about: basics for innovating, fundraising, branding
- Start with Why by Simon Sinek
What you’ll learn about: brand culture, communication, vision, purpose,
- The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
What you’ll learn about: customer experience, user experience, product/service development, market testing, finding your ideal market
- Lean Business Canvas Model explained with example from Uber https://youtu.be/pvIN9STpzCQ
How do I create a detailed Business Plan?
- Alberta Women Entrepreneurs – Business Plan & Guide https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5775495946c3c4031cdb790b/t/5d6546193cca420001ab1073/1566918177932/2019-08-09.+Business+Plan+Guide.pdf
- Interactive Business Plan Writer by Futurpreneur https://www.futurpreneur.ca/en/resources/start-up-business-planning/tips-tools/business-plan-writer/
- ATB Financial Business Plan Guide https://www.atb.com/siteassets/legacy/Business_Plan_Builder_Form.pdf
Should I be worried about people “stealing” my business idea?
- Why Worrying About People “Stealing” Your Idea Can Limit Your Growth Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Worry About People Stealing Your Ideas | Inc.com
- Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
What you’ll learn about: creative thinking, discovering your own path
How can I evaluate my competition?
- How to Evaluate and Beat Your Small Business Competition How to Evaluate and Beat Your Small Business Competition | by Tom Egelhoff | Startup Stash
- 6 Step Guide to Evaluating Your Competition Evaluate Your Competition: The 6-Step Guide You MUST Follow (chrismichaelharris.com) (12 min)
How do I find my ideal client?
- 20 Questions to Find Your Ideal Client by Amanda Wagner, Flagstaff Crafted Business Advisor https://www.theamandawagner.com/blog-main/five-reasons-you-need-to-do-the-ideal-client-exercise-again
Leadership
How do I combat imposter syndrome?
- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
What you’ll learn about: creativity and bravery to try new things
- Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
What you’ll learn about: living your values in your business, creative problem solving, reaching your goals
- 50 Ways to Find a Job by Dev Aujla
What you’ll learn about: building a meaningful career, career transitions
- Being Boss: Overcoming Imposter Complex hosted by Amanda Wagner, Flagstaff Crafted Business Advisor https://share.transistor.fm/s/edcc3852