4 powerful ways and a bonus to generate business ideas. No. Its not rocket science.

Do you dream of becoming the next Steve Jobs? Aliko Dangote? To make Forbes Top 30 under 30? Or Business Daily's Top 40 under 40? Do you also feel constrained? Don't know where to start? Do you have the ' I don't know where these guys get these ideas mentality?' In today's article, we are telling you to look around. Let's get into it.

1. Reading reports, publications etc.

This doesn't have to be anything fancy. The reports and/or publications being referred to here can be those done by the world bank and NGO's , private research companies, to publications done by PHD or master's students at the universities. The beauty of such reports is;

• They contain data that is most probably accurate/verifiable as they are backed by the organisation's brand name.

• They show problems that are either not addressed in the society or those that are inadequately addressed.

In both cases, you get a chance to solve or contribute in the efforts to solve a particular challenge.

Take for instance, the agriculture sector reports. These are most definitely published annually by various authorities and organisations, and mainly focus on highlighting food insecurity of climate change; issues that mainly face the sector and the populations as well. Do not sit and think for a second that these only affect Africa. These are global issues. The beauty of such reports is, in addition to highlighting the challenges, also published are some of the steps being taken to deal with the situation in different countries. You can borrow such ideas and try implementing them in your own country.

However, its not just a copy-paste kind of transaction, you will need to conduct some research of your own to determine whether such an idea is applicable to your geography. Will there be a market? Are input materials readily available? etc etc. Determine the work-ability of the business model in your country, and either decide to adopt it as is, or pass a few modifications to suit your needs.

2. Travel

Travelling doesn't have to be extravagant, expensive and stressful. What we are trying to say is, don't just sit at home. Walk around, take a matatu to Juja. Some of you live in Donholm and have never set foot in Komarock. Its practically less than 6 km to the place. Anyway, what travelling does for you is open up your eyes to new ways of doing things. To challenges faced in different parts of the country and how, if at all, they are being addressed.

Let's take a hypothetical scenario;

"You decide to make a trip to one of the coldest regions in your country. While there, you realize that the residents might benefit from a hot cup of coffee as they either go home or just go about their day-to-day. However, no-one is providing that cup of coffee. Now. Is that not a business idea right there? Is it not? You don't need a fancy idea for a tech company to create a business, or become a successful entrepreneur. All you need to do is look around and take advantage of the situation. Be proactive. Who knows? Yours could be the next Java or ArtCaffe.

3. Network

Engage with people. People at the same level as you. People above your level and those that are in positions lower than you. What this does to you is show you a different perspective. It opens you up to a world of various ideas. Offers a different way to view your environment and analyze it.

Talking to people helps you understand their sources of satisfaction and frustrations. You can build something that helps elevate their satisfactions or alleviate their frustrations.

4. Personal experiences

This may be the most powerful tool of them all. Your own sources of satisfaction or frustrations can power your passion. Personal experiences will enable or require you to completely apply yourself to the project you are undertaking. For instance;

One night, on a cold cold July, you need emergency medical attention but none was forthcoming. Luckily it all worked out well. This experience or any other experience you can identify with may lead you to create a product that may help you, should you ever need it, or millions of others.

5. Bonus>> (Hobbies and interests)

This may range from photography, web design, digital marketing (You are a digital marketer, create a business out of it), poetry, music and dance (Start your own dance company, what do you have to lose?), travelling (Like Natalie Tewa and all the other Instagram entrepreneurs), cooking (I mean, look at Kaluhi's kitchen. She transformed a passion into a business.) You get the gist. Monetize your passion. It could be the next big thing.

In summary, finding a business idea should not be rocket science, and the way to is not cast on stone. You just need to open your eyes and see.

---

Hey guys, we are on LinkedIn follow us, share and subscribe. Find us here.