By George McPherson

In Michael Gerber's book, "The E-Myth," he declares that, "The entrepreneurial personality turns the most trivial condition into an exceptional opportunity…The Entrepreneur is the innovator, grand strategist, the creator of new methods…. The Technician is the doer…He's not interested in ideas, he's interested in how-to-do-it."

 A favorable trend that continues to be prevalent in today’s business environment is the fact that an increasing number of engineers and scientists are choosing to create their own company. The causes of this trend appear to be related to several significant changes that have occurred since the 1980’s. Some of these changes are:

• Corporate restructuring – Changes in corporate structure over the past several years have caused downsizing and damaged corporate loyalty. As a result, individuals who consider themselves independent and willing to embrace risk, are inclined to leave the corporate environment and create their own. This trend is likely to continue as the global economy slows.
• Venture Capital - In 1997, more than $1.2 billion of venture capital funding was poured into company's focusing on telecom technology products alone. This number has grown significantly as the country's wealth has risen with the current bull market. Investors are now willing to allocate an increasing portion of their portfolio for these types of projects thereby, creating greater supply of funds.
• World Wide Web - In 1994, three million people, most of them in the United States, used the Internet. In 1998, 100 million people around the world use the Internet. Some experts believe that one billion people will be connected to the Internet by 2005. This trend alone indicates the increasing demand for new products and innovation which will help create opportunity for entrepreneurs.

Beyond Research and Development

 This page is intended to provide engineers and scientists with tools, which are designed to aid in the process of moving beyond the technology and getting the product to the customer.  Common problems and failure for today's entrepreneurial start-up are often due to a lack of understanding and appreciation for the marketing process.  In order to be done effectively, a plan must be developed and executed just as the plan for product development was performed. 

Effective and persuasive business plans contain a section devoted to the marketing of the new technology or product. A well-structured marketing plan should be based on what is commonly referred to in marketing as the four Ps: product, price, promotion and placement. In addition to careful planning and execution, the plan should include budget and schedule as well as assignments for the people targeted to complete the tasks.

Best Marketing Plan Development Web Sites for Technology Based Start-Ups

www.sbaonline.sba.gov

www.redherring.com

www.bplans.com

www.moneyhunter.com

 www.graymatterworks.com