Step#1 Have a sellable idea or concept. A Greek philosopher who was a mathematician and a student of Socrates once said “Idea rules the world”. Of course this cliché is true because everything you see around you was an idea in the mind of the creator or inventor. Fantastic and sellable ideas are the bedrock of successful business. So, if you must build a formidable business, you must have a money spinning idea. It may be something that is totally out of this world or you may need to leverage on an already existing idea. Note this: every idea is sellable. It is not the idea that sells itself, it is the system that controls it and management team behind it.

Step#2 Monetize the idea. An idea that is not monetized is just one of your hobbies; something you enjoy doing. And if truly you want people—including families and friends—to patronize you, then you must be in business. This can be done by legally turning your idea into a business by registering a business name under the right governing body in your country. Once that is done, you are in business and it is easier for you to attach a price tag to your product or service.  

Step#3 Brand it. The next thing on your list is to separate your business—product or service—from that of your competitors. The uniqueness of your product or service is what will put you in a class of your own. From the packaging to the customer service, delivery, after-service, management team, office environment and everything in-between; all must be spectacular. The best way to stand out is to carefully study what your competitors are doing, uncover their weaknesses and improve on them. Or create your own unique business model and system that will become part of your trade secrets.

Step#4 Build a strong system. What controls everything including your very self is a system. You do not need to press a button to jumpstart your nose or eyes. All that is regulated by a network of dynamic system. Your automatic car is controlled by a network of system. The electricity in your home is regulated by a network of system. For any business to be automated and successful, it must be regulated by a dynamic system. Your system—or structure—must be intact and formidable. This is one of the most difficult tasks to do or build in a business. But when you eventually succeed at it, it will make your business extremely profitable. It is also a slow process, but it is necessary if you want to build a lasting brand.

Step#5 Make so much noise. This may sound absurd; but if truly you want to be noticed, you must to be everywhere. The surest way to be everywhere is to make so much noise like Paris Hilton who became famous for doing nothing or Richard Branson who turned the Virgin brand into a sophisticated brand through his too-difficult-to-copy publicity stunts. Publicity is everything; it is an essential part of your business. Find a way to always position your product, service or entire business in the face of people. People only respond to what they see all the time. The best product out there isn’t the best; it is simply the product that is readily positioned before the consumers. Don’t forget that.