Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

Reverse psychology is a great way to identify the strengths and weaknesses in your small business plan.

From The Pittsburgh Post Gazette -

But before you go into business, try to convince yourself why you shouldn't, says Paul Stappas, founder of Bookkeeping Administration Management, a service provider to small businesses.

That approach will help you minimize the risks associated with impulse-driven decisions and insufficient research prior to starting your business.

He has some sound advice before deciding to go ahead with your small business. 

• Determine if there is a market for your product or service
  
  
• Analyze your findings to determine whether your idea is viable, then make adjustments
  
  
• Analyze the competition
  
  
• Develop a five-year business plan
  
  
• Get your books in order
  
  
• Incorporate your business to separate your financial and personal assets

You may in fact, find it is not a viable concept. Letting go of an idea you have built up in your mind as the ideal, is not easy.

This may be the hardest business decision you ever make. But it could also be the best. There's no doubt many people succeed in following their passion, and that lucks often plays a part.

But you're on more solid ground if decisions are researched and informed rather than made purely on emotional grounds.