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lists four businesses you can build to help people buy back time.
We can't package and sell time, but creating a business that saves people time is the next best thing. Once limited to domestic things such as cleaning and babysitting, time-saving services have grown imaginative. Find ways that will save time for your customers and clients or create a business that has time saving at its core and you'll be helping solve a common problem. Here are a few ways of doing that.
- Deliver the goods.
"Leave the driving to us," was the slogan of Greyhound Bus. Today it's a slogan that is being adopted by all sorts of delivery services.
Grocery and meal delivery services have had uneven success in many cities, but the basic concept remains sound. While some of the larger companies have failed, smaller specialty delivery is thriving.
I bought a sofa a while back and the store had no delivery service of their own, but put me in touch with two men with a truck who I hired for a reasonable fee. A retired couple I knew delivered tickets for travel agencies while a small courier service specializes in deliveries for legal offices.
Then there are people who travel the country delivering cars from one area dealer to another. This is a perfect business for people who like being out and about. - Be portable.
Savvy service providers save their customers time by coming to their homes or businesses. I've been meaning to find a massage therapist but hadn't had time to do so. When a woman in one of my seminars mentioned that her daughter had a mobile massage business, I promptly asked for her brochure and called to set up an appointment. Personal trainers have also found that getting out of the gym and into their client's homes has been good for business. And for a small fee, a man in Texas will do an inspection on a used car you're thinking of buying.
Everyone knows what a drag it is to lug a defunct computer to the repair shop. The Geek Squad gave itself a competitive edge right from the start by making housecalls. While services that require special equipment (like dental drills) aren't easily mobilized, some innovators are outfitting a van or motorhome and taking their business to their clients. - Edit.
In this information drenched time, opportunities exist for those who can scan vast amounts of information and cull out the most important. Specialized newsletters and websites keep popping up all the time to save readers investigative time.
Similarly, professional organizers and declutterers help clients weed out unnecessary things and activities and become more efficient. - The ultimate concierge.
For years upscale hotels have offered the services of a concierge to their guests. Today that's expanding into a lively self-employment opportunity. "What does a concierge do exactly? According to the website of the National Concierge Association, "A concierge is a caretaker, someone who wants to be needed, give advice and help other people.
Many people think of concierges as miracle workers. While they may specialize in the difficult, they also make ordinary arrangements that save their clients precious time. This is a particularly fascinating business for those who love challenge and diversity. Today's concierge delights in serving their clients with grace and charm - and making it look effortless.
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