Having a business idea
Finding business ideas by noticing everyday problems and asking people what they want; inventing something new, improving an existing product or offering a service
What a learner can do afterwards
- Identify an everyday problem and explain how a product or service idea could help
- Explain how an invention can also be an innovation, and identify a useful improvement to an existing product
- Describe where one real entrepreneur got their business idea from
1 · Read
You have learned about making products and thinking about customers. A business idea describes something you could sell or work you could do for people. That work is a service. You can notice a problem or ask what people want. You can also offer a product that already exists.
Chester Greenwood got cold ears while ice skating. He worked on ear protectors and later sold them. His story connects a problem with a product people could buy. A business can grow from making something useful.
Inventing means creating a new tool or a new way to do something. Innovation means putting a useful new idea into use. It can involve an invention or an improvement to something that already exists. An invention can also become an innovation.
A suitcase is hard to carry. Adding wheels lets someone roll it. The suitcase already existed, so this is an improvement to a product. Putting that useful change into use is an innovation.
Match an idea to a problem. If a book's pages keep closing while someone reads, a stand with clips could hold them open. The clips address closing pages; a new cover color would not. Ask people who have the problem what would help. With adult permission and help, try one version and listen to feedback before making many.
Notice a problem and ask what people want. A business idea can offer an invention, an improved or existing product, or a service.
Lesson, questions and flashcards written for this dataset.
Five original readings written for this dataset about customer problems, services, trying ideas and useful changes.
More to read
Ask about a pencil problem
Nia's pencils roll off her desk. She sketches a tray with a raised edge. Before making it, she asks classmates whether the same thing happens to them. What would they want in a tray? Their answers might change her sketch. With adult help, she can try one tray before deciding whether to make more.
Selling work as a service
A shop can sell a product, such as a book. Someone can also offer work, such as sorting a shelf of books for a family. That work is a service. A service idea describes what the person would do and whom it would help. Ask a grown-up for permission and help before trying work for someone.
Try one changed box
Omar wants to add a handle to a craft box. With adult help, he tries it on one box. Does the handle stay attached? Can the person using it hold it comfortably? He listens to that person's comments. A loose handle needs more work. Trying one version gives him information before he changes more boxes.
Compare two ideas
Write down a problem you want to address. If pencils roll away, you might suggest a tray or a pencil case. Keep both ideas while you think. Which could you make safely with adult help? Which would the person using it prefer? Ask that person. You can change your idea after hearing the answer.
Describe what is new
Inventing creates a new tool or a new way to do something. Innovation puts a useful new idea into use. An invention can also become an innovation. A useful improvement to an existing product can be an innovation too. When you explain an idea, say what is new or changed and how people would use it.
2 · Watch
En anglaisTake it off screen
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.