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By Michiel Van Kets Quite a few people are dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur, but to take that first step is quite a challenge. The first thing you have to do is to come up with a good idea. This is probably one of the most challenging parts of becoming an entrepreneur, so the best thing to do and what is certainly going to help you is to always carry a notebook around in which you can write down things from everyday life that cause an inconvenience or anything that can be improved. Later, when looking back at your notebook it can often bring up patterns in why problems occur and how they can be solved. This will get your brain thinking exactly the way an entrepreneurs should. When you find an idea you like you need to do a lot of research to make sure that there is a gap in the market for your project and indeed that there is a real world need for your idea. The best way to do this is to search around the internet or pick up a paper business directory so you can check the competition out. You could also set up a very basic website and use Google Pay-Per click advertising to see how many people are searching for similar keywords to what you would use for your project. This would also let you know how strong the competition is. This is a very simple method of market research but you never know you may also get some enquiries from it! One thing that makes entrepreneurial success easier is having a business partner who shares your business vision and has skills that complements your own, and which are necessary for your mission. Finding a one however, is usually not that simple. For example, if you have an idea to patent a new computer chip, then a business partner with connections in manufacturing, or skills in developing, would be a huge advantage. It is great if you know business people that can help you straight away, but most of us would not have these connections right from the start. However, nowadays, especially because of the internet and free social networking sites such as Face book, MySpace and the newly released ThinkBowl, networking is much easier. Through avenues such as these one can search for business partners and join like-minded communities to find good corporate links. With free business networking websites like these you can also share your ideas and problems and receive feedback from the community, as well as blog about your projects, which is a great way to get both your idea, and yourself noticed (free advertising is great!) Some basic procedures apply to all online networks and in particularly the business networks; for example to never expose too much about yourself to the general public (basic details are fine), but wait until trust is build up to eventually reveal more. The same goes for your business information. Make sure you only reveal the minimum unless your ideas are protected that is to say patents, copyrights, trademarks etc. Although every safety measure is taken by sites to weed out scammers, they cannot and will not guarantee for someones character to be protected, nor take accountability for ideas that are stolen etc. When you look for a free business-networking website, make sure the one you select is relevant to yourself and therefore helpful to you (it is no good joining a network for B2B sales if you want to start your own garden centre!) Look for one with interesting site content, useful tools and a good-sized community (of course, a community with a hundred or so actual active entrepreneurs is a lot better than one with a hundred thousand dilly-dalliers!) Networking websites work like real life communities. When you join one of them enjoy your activity and use it as an effective business tool. Remember, the users on the site most probably will have similar goals and will communally have a wide knowledge base, so do not be afraid to open up and discuss topics you think are important, ask for feedback or share opportunities. Again, it is important to remember to build up trust first. When releasing your project or idea you should look for as many advertising sources as possible, e.g. internet, TV, paper, radio, flyers etc. If your budget is tight, you can usually contact local papers who will give you free advertising in the form of a one page story if your project is interesting enough. Remember to try and get a story in mind before contacting the journalist, if they dont have to do too much work adapting the story they are more likely to use it. When you have launched your project, keep reviewing it at regular basis and set realistic goals to reach at each of those points. All good projects evolve over time so do not just launch your project and think your job is done! Always be active and feed it, the money is not going to grow on your tree just because you planted it. Finally write down things that went well and areas that can be improved on from your first project and keep them for future reference. Then get back to the drawing board and think up your next entrepreneur project!

By Denis Portov TEXT SIZE Minus Plus It happened at one of the railway stations within Moscow precincts. On the watch of public order there was captain Viktor Nikolayevich Stepantsov. Rough and lusty fellow, he was a drinker and had a vehement hatred for all the migrants. Once his strong claws caught a couple of Tajiks (citizens of Tajikistan), who were trying to get on the train for free. Guest workers were brought to the police station where they underwent a thorough check-out, though the policeman didnt find any documents, money or any other tangible property. Having been distressed by this kind of insidiousness, Captain Ivantsov lectured his captives about the inadmissibility of walking without money (what the hell then he had spent his time on them?!) and laid down his terms: – Well then. One of you two stays here, while the other brings cabbage (1000 roubles (like 40 bucks) per each). After that you can get out of here. The trick used to work but this time Tajiks jibbed. Claiming than they hadnt a bean and moreover owed money all around, they refused to separate point-black, what finally enraged Ivantsov. – The hell with you, stay here till morning if you like! Then therell come the car and Ill send you to the reception center like tramps! Having locked Tajiks in the monkey house (the cell), Captain returned to his business. In several hours Ivantsov reaped his rewards, crooked the elbow and only then remembered his rebellious prisoners. – Hey, basmatches, made up your mind? A thou per mug and buzz off. Or to the reception center! Tajiks shook their heads. Looked like it wasnt the first time they were caught like that and knew that there wouldnt be any car and, having frightened a little, cops would release them anyway. However they didnt know Ivantsov at all! In an hour or so, staggering after two more vodkas, captain came back to the station and ordered his mate to take prisoners outside. Sergeant, at a loss, dragged Tajiks out of the cell and obeying the order placed them both by the concrete fence. With an imperial gesture Ivantsov unfastened the holster: – Im asking you the last time, counters, are you gonna pay?! Tajiks kept silence. Ivantsov pulled Makarov revolver out of the holster, switched the preventer, twisted the lock and having aimed at one of basmatches heads pronounced threateningly: – For not paying the fine, defiance to police and on suspicion of illegal migration, in the name of law youll be executed by shooting, bastards! There was a sound of shot and one of the Tajiks collapsed on the ground (luckily because he fainted). Then the colleagues realized theyd better go on the captain, as he was aiming at the other prisoners head. Colleagues had trouble pinioning the indomitable fighter against illegal migration, and then there began sudden fits. The frightened orderly officer called an ambulance. Diagnosis (as everybody could guess) was mental disorder and Captain was taken to the psychosomatic unit. Tajik was brought to senses and both of them were allowed to go with an order to forget everything. P.S. You may think that Viktor Nikolayevich was fired? Not a bloody thing. As Ive heard recently, he got major rank and is waiting for promotion again.