This document is part of module 1 of the InternetBusinessDemystified.com online business building course. Sign up for free Step 2 Skills Inventory Estimated time for completion: 1 hour Many people feel they don’t have marketable skills and there’s nothing they are passionate about. They work, they come home, they sleep, they just exist. If you’re one of these people, you need to ask yourself some questions.

Before you decide what your online business will be based on, take some time to brainstorm and uncover what you are good at. What can you provide information about? It’s best to start with something you know for your first product or service.

Inspiration from an unknown author:

“If you’re not sure where you’re

going, you’ll probably end up

somewhere else.”

Case Study From Richard’s Files When Sarah came to see me, she was fed up of her job and felt she had no other skills. When I asked her what she did, she replied, “All I do is manage a team of 15 people. I train them to deal with high net worth customers, who can be a little aggressive in their manners!” She taught the team how to deal with these people, how to calm them down, and how to explain situations to them, without in anyway offending their intelligence or belittling them. Her team had the best statistics for customer satisfaction and resolving issues in the whole company. As you can see, Sarah had lots of skills. Just from her brief job description, we identified the following: * Training * People Management * Customer Service * Conflict Resolution And this was just the tip of the iceberg

Finding your skills Reflect on what you know other people would be interested in. Perhaps it’s a hobby, or a job. Brainstorm everything you know about it and write it down. The whole idea of brainstorming is to open your mind and not discount any idea that pops into your head. You’ll be using the template in the workbook section to do this, however, do not jump ahead yet. Remember you must follow the exercises in chronological order. Skills can also come from life experiences. There are many things that you have done that other people would love to find out more about. Perhaps you’ve travelled across America on a motorbike – what tips can you give people? Have you camped out under the stars every summer for the past ten years? What helpful hints can you share about what you have learned. The exercise you need is below: Estimated time for completion: 1 hour

Now you’re going to take an inventory of your skills. Again this is not just “work” skills – this is all

skills, work, life, relationship skills etc.

The first thing you will do is brainstorm. You’re going to list everything you’re knowledgeable about.

Then you’re going to list the jobs you have worked at. These include both paid and unpaid jobs.

Remember to include skills you acquired as a volunteer. From there you’ll match your top 5 skills

with your top 5 passions from

Answer the following questions

I am knowledgeable about:

Jobs I have worked at:

How can my top five things I am passionate about match my top 5 skills?

In the following form, match your top 5 passions with your skills

Example –

Passionate about - speaking and helping people

Skills – good communicator / compassionate

1. Passionate about ______________________________________________________

Skills ___________________________________________________________________

2. Passionate about ______________________________________________________

Skills ___________________________________________________________________

3. Passionate about ______________________________________________________

Skills ___________________________________________________________________

4. Passionate about ______________________________________________________

Skills ___________________________________________________________________

5. Passionate about ______________________________________________________

Skills ___________________________________________________________________

Top 3 business ideas:

Now that you have matched your skill and your passion, generate three business ideas you could

apply them to. This list can be revisited and changed

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