Help with a new business idea

[creospace]

I had a brain wave over the weekend regarding a new business idea. I want to sound it out but not to the world (on here in open) but maybe to a small focus group of individuals etc.

Should I get confidentiality agreements signed or digitally acknowledged first as the idea as I understand it is not safe or copywrited as such? There are a few on here I sincerely trust not to stuff me (not to say the rest won't but an example of how you can build relationships here).

Anyway if you feel you could offer some advice regarding the idea and I guess I need a cross range of specialities legal, financial etc (by the way I need no investment it's practically ready to roll because it's a spin off of something else I've been working on) and I’d be interested in advice from people working in the art industry too then please pm me or make comments below.

Woudl be good to hear advice from anyone else who has been in this position and used skilled advice from people on this forum to get a good start and how they went about it etc.

Thanks in advance - great to use the forum to get business advice for a change :)

Gary

[MinuWeb]

I have a non disclosure agreement I can mail you later today when back at home

[VeryMark]

We also have specimen NDA's but you might need to get something drafted specifically depending on the project.

[DuaneJackson]

NDAs are often not of much use. A lot of professionals refuse to sign them "because of [their] professional integrity" whatever the hell that means.

Hopefully Jon@HandsOn will tell me if I'm talkign rubbish (where's he been lately anyway?)

I'm happy to sign an NDA if you want to bounce anything off of me, although I'm not sure I'd be of any use as we have similar skill sets.

d

[Rob Holmes]

I have NDA's and am always happy to sign one if you want any input.

Rob

[bwglaw]

Hi..

Here I am Duane...have been busy lately with a case in Scotland and development here in Georgia nearly finished then hopping on plane back to UK!.

I would endorse Phil's advice, to ensure the NDA is specific to cover your project and not just generic. Your best move would be to talk to regulated professionals i.e. lawyers, trademark attorneys etc and then select a group for sounding out once you have the specific NDA in place.

I am happy to draft a specific NDA if you could email me the details to the email address below.

Jonathan

[creospace]

My problem is my idea might jsut not go anywhere and I don't want to spend hundreds on legal stuff if thats the case, I would however really value your advice Jonathon on any legal aspects of the idea so maybe I should send it to you first and then go from there.

I'm kind of only inviting people whom I have built up a realationship enough to trust them or I know they are too rich to bother ripping my idea off ;)

Gary

[Jayne]

If you want a chat Gary, just email me, you know I wouldn't tell if you asked me not to. I'm very honest and if I think it's crap, i'll just tell you :lol:

Jayne :D

[cqueen]

Whats your idea then? :D

[Business Angel]

If your idea develops and you look for funding let me know :)

Oh, and I have a Guide for Writing Business Plans for Business Angels - if you or anyone else wants a free copy send me a direct email to john@strategyconsultinglimited.co.uk

Cheers

John

[gary brown]

Creospace,

I buy and sell buisnesses for clients, but I also help people set up businesses. I would be happy to sign your NDA when you get it drafted, I might be able to help you on the financial side dependent on what you are looking for.

One of the things we do is help businesses licence their product. This provides you with cashflow but allows you to distribute your product nationally, or worldwide through your licenced distributors. It is a relatively new concept in UK, I am just developing it at the moment.

Let me know if it might be of interest.

Gary Brown

[VeryMark]

Gary, I'd be interested in talking to you as we also are involved in licensing.

Creospace, call me or Jonathan can ring me if you need to bounce anything off me - we only deal with clients on a confidential basis and make no charge for an initial consulation.

[directmarketingadvice]

Hi Gary

If you've got any questions about the marketing, you know where to come.

Steve

[gary brown]

Hi Crossguard,

I thought it was worth explaining what I am doing in this area. I am looking to work with business owners who want to look at an alternative to franchising their business.

The drawback to Franchising is that the franchisee has to pay large royalties and ends up with a sleeping partner in the business.

They are usually forced to open a shop or outlet to a very demanding specification, laid down by the franchisor costing anything from 50-400K. This may have to be borrowed and reduces the profitability of the business. They are also forced to do business in a particular way, often restricting the way they can trade.

This can sometimes stiffle the growth of the business. There are also issues about exiting from the business and often the franchisee is locked into a buy-back scheme.

However the Franchisor may have little option than to go down the Franchising route to protect their name and trading style. This can mean the process of franchising is very expensive for the Franchisor. Finding the right prospective franchisees with equity and financial standing to open a franchise is a constant problem, very labour intensive and usually needs a Franchise manager to do it well.

I have developed a system that eradicates most of these problems, it offers a far more cost effective route both for Franchisor and Franchisee. This is achieved by lower start up costs, which means there are more funds available to invest into the business for things like sales and marketing, more freedom for the licencee combined with more growth potential and a more profitable business going forward.

It opens up the marketpalce to more business owners who want to expand their business without the disruption and risk of franchising it.

Small business owners and even start ups can consider this route and can use it as a way of expanding the business rapidly, with less stress than conventional routes and it can be cashflow positive.

Hope this explains more about what I am doing in this area, if you are interested or have clients that may be interested please pm me your contact details.

Gary

[gary brown]

Crossguard,

I have just noticed your contact number on the bottom of your post.

Te he,

I will contact you on Monday.

Gary Brown.