FREE ASSESSMENT

This FREE assessment measures your knowledge and understanding of eight “Keys to Success” used by winning entrepreneurs.  The assessment takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.  The results show how well prepared you are to launch and grow your business opportunity.  The higher your score on the “Keys to Success,” the greater the probability your new enterprise will first survive, and then thrive.

Please indicate your degree of agreement or disagreement with the statements listed below. When responding, use the Rating Guide at the left where “NO!” equals “Strongly Disagree” and “YES!” equals “Strongly Agree.”

  • Step 1 : Living in the Boundary

    I have extensive experience with my business idea from working in the industry.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I am very familiar with the major organizations with which I will be competing.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I know the strengths and weaknesses of my top ten competitors.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have strategies for getting up-to-date information about my competitors and this industry.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I clearly understand the various channels of distribution available for my products.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I am familiar with the suppliers and vendors that provide the materials and services I will need.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I am familiar with the marketing and public relations opportunities in this field.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase
  • Step 2 : Planning for Opportunities

    My business idea meets a need that is not being adequately addressed in marketplace.

     

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have the skills, experience and credibility necessary to make this venture work.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have the basic resources I need to start and operate this venture (money, equipment, tools, etc.)

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I know exactly who my customers will be and how I can reach them.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have a number of potential customers who are ready to buy my products or services right now!

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have a plan for testing my idea, receiving customer feedback, and make changes where necessary.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have ideas for additional product or services I can create and sell to my growing customer base.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase
  • Step 3 : Engaging a Brain Trust

    I have many important contacts in this industry who can help move this venture forward.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have several close advisors who are willing to mentor me through the startup process.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    My advisors have significant business experience.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    My advisors have real passion for my idea and the potential of this venture.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    My advisors understand my business strengths and weaknesses fairly well.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    My advisors have many contacts we can call upon when we need their expertise.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase
  • Step 4 : Building Powerful Teams

    I clearly understand my strengths and weaknesses relevant to this new venture.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I know people who are “team players” I can recruit to compliment my skills and experience.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have a plan for offering strong incentives to attract and keep top talent in the organization.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have a plan for building strong teamwork throughout the organization.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I am able to put my ego aside for the success of the team and overall business.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I know partners outside the organization I can team up with (suppliers, manufacturers, distributors).

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I am willing to make changes quickly if a team member isn’t working out.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase
  • Step 5 : Working with Zealous Tenacity

    I have great passion for my products or services.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have real enthusiasm to succeed in this venture.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I can clearly and passionately tell people why my products are better than my competitors.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I am willing to work long, exhausting hours on this new venture when needed.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I enjoy rolling up my sleeves and doing the “real work” of this business.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I know how to get around most obstacles in order to accomplish important objectives.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

  • Step 6 : Creating More with Less

    I know how to get this organization up and running with limited capital.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have a clear marketing strategy for producing early sales and immediate cash flow.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I know how to accomplish important objectives with a variety of resources other than money.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have a plan for keeping my cost structure lower than my competitors in this industry.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I am willing to forgo the “images of success” to keep this organization healthy financially.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have access to capital if and when I need it to scale this business to the next level.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

  • Step 7 : Giving Distinguishing Service

    I have a very good feel for what consumers expect in this industry.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I know what level of service my major competitors offer their customers.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have a plan for giving my customers better service than they will get anywhere else.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have several events planned for launching this venture that will seriously impress customers.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have a clear strategy for getting ongoing feedback from customers about my products and services.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I can create systems to maintain superb service with every person we serve as the organization grows.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

  • Step 8 : Serving a Broader Purpose

    I have a genuine desire to contribute to the community in which we operate.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I know several community organizations I can work with that are compatible with my venture.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I have a specific strategy for working with one or more community organizations.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I am committed to making community service an ongoing part of our organization.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase

    I am committed to building and operating an ethical and socially responsible organization.

    Decrease
    • NO!
    • No
    • no
    • ?
    • yes
    • Yes
    • YES!
    Increase