Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

There used to be an expression to test someone`s commitment to anything: Would you pay money for that?

We do live in a lazy society, at the moment. But that`s the operative words: "at the moment." It`s been a long ride with a good economy, and people have had the extra time on their hands to worry about stupid things, waste lives, and so forth.

But for more than 50 years the average American lifestyle has been gradually declining in relation to inflation-adjusted dollars. And it seems we`re about to reach the point where all that comes to a head.

The result likely will be scarce money, and a whole lot less comfort. Consider that only about 8 months ago "global warming" was a huge problem for a lot of people. Then the real estate bubble broke, and the banking collapses took place. Suddenly global warming isn`t all that compelling. Why?

It`s because in the real world there isn`t room for total laziness. You either compete or you get run over. So when money`s tight, times are tough, and someone needs to take out the garbage, walking it from their kitchen to the curb, do you think they`ll casually fork over money for someone to do that?

If they have a lot of money, they already have servants to take out the garbage. If they have a little extra money, they feel it`s threatened. The next issue is the logistics of having to get the garbage in a bag before the "hauler" comes knocking at that back door.

By the time they`ve made a phone call, or prepared the garbage, they could`ve just as easily taken it to the curb themselves.

Taken together, I think you may want to analyze the function of laziness in an economy that`s headed into the ground.

The coffee delivery idea is similar in that there likely isn`t a market for it. If there were, then places like Starbucks and Dunkin` Donut would likely have tried it before.

"People" generally are a bit lazy, when they can afford to be. But they`re not lazy on a regular basis. Especially not when their lifestyle is threatened or disappearing. On the other hand, the reason so many people hire someone to mow the lawn or shovel snow is that it involves real, physical effort. A lot of people are too old, or infirm to handle that kind of effort.

I think you could focus on that sort of thing, where the combination of real time and real physical labor come in to play. So, for example, starting a business where in the Spring or Fall, you come around and clean people`s gutters, or change out storm windows.

The key here is to leave your customer with a real value after you`ve concluded your transaction. What *real* value is there when you`ve hauled the garbage to the curb and gone?

When you strip away the nonessentials, you`re basically asking people to pay money for their laziness. After they`ve paid that money, they`ve "gained" laziness. I strongly suspect not many people are will to pay money for nothing.

In your dorm laundry example, someone took an established idea and applied it to a captive market which nobody before had the faith to follow.

In your trash example, the collection from the curb to the dump is the easy part to normalize and service on a mass scale; if going from the house to the curb was a profitable step, it would have been done (so look at why it`s not ... privacy, security, ?).

What I`m saying to look at 1) economies of scale, 2) proven ideas which have not been introduced into a new market ... there`s no value in servicing "lazy" unless that opportunity cost of time is available for immediate investment and affordable to your market; take a look at all the services provided and see the balance of convenience, schedule-ability, and capital savings too (taxis, lawn care, home shopping, etc.)

So what are people doing that they`d be willing to stop?  Everyone or just a segment? Can you do it better, consistently, and profitably ... look at the full transaction cycle and not just the act of doing (e.g., you have to collect money).  Consider your labor, capital equipment, and capacity (someone calling for coffee at their desk doesn`t want to wait there either) costs.

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Chris Miller, a simple taco maker:
The Tiger Taco home in the U.S.A.
Tiger Tacos in Australia
Tiger Tacos in the United Kingdom

Way to think outside the box.  You may want to check out our FREE Business Blueprint as to how to start, operate and grow your business in today`s web 2.0 world.  This may be beneficial to you as you move forward with your business model.

Best of luck.

i would pay for somebody to bring me a muffin.  if you start the business, have a catchy name, then seek trademark protection for it.

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James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com