In the development of a business there is a certain amount of research that must be conducted. Most entrepreneurs find themselves immersed in some form of research whether they like it or not.
For many burgeoning entrepreneurs there is a question of whether intense research or personal intuition is the best course of action in determining the direction needed in business decisions.
Henry Ford once said, "Thinking is the hardest work there is. Which is the probable reason why so few engage in it." Even the pioneering automaker knew that research was a taxing and labor intensive process that was not necessarily enjoyable.
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" - Author Unknown
There is a certain learning curve that comes with developing a new business, and it is research that moves us to a point of understanding. Ceilia Green once quipped, "The way to do research is to attack the facts at the point of greatest astonishment."
It is often the vision realized through research that allows entrepreneurs to move beyond speculation to risk and reward.
However, if there is a battle it may well be between the usefulness of research or intuition in business development scenarios. Albert Einstein once wrote, "The only real valuable thing is intuition." Albert Einstein was a genius, yet he placed a high value on intuition.
Dr. Joyce Brothers understood a dynamic that many miss when she wrote, "Trust your hunches. They're usually based on facts filed away just below the conscious level."
It may be possible that the very act of research allows our intuition to somehow work through all the intangibles so that intuition can take over. I would suggest that it is not a matter of whether research or intuition is more important, but how the two processes work together.
"Intuition becomes increasingly valuable in the new information society precisely because there is so much data." - John Naisbitt
It is the very moment when research and intuition meet that they real enthusiasm typically begins for entrepreneurs. The two are ultimately allies in the process of understanding, but far too often individuals over analyze the research information without allowing intuition the freedom to understand what it somehow knows without being able to articulate.
The development of vision often occurs when the known meets the unknown and somehow understands they are compatible. The development of a majority of businesses occurred when research met intuition and found they were not enemies.
Related Articles
8 Traits Of The Perfect Entrepreneur
By: Scott Lindsay | 05/02/2007 | Business
If you've considered the possibility of becoming an entrepreneur there are eight traits that are important in describing the perfect entrepreneur.
1. Risk Taker - Entrepreneurs understand that in order to make a profit they will need to assume a certain level of financial risk.
2. Business Manager - Entrepreneurs have a...
The Disappearing Silver Bullet
By: Scott Lindsay | 06/02/2007 | Business
Many individuals interested in a business startup are under the assumption that there is a magic silver bullet (or formula) for success. They are convinced that the successful businesses they have encountered gained access to this formula and are simply unwilling to share the knowledge with other aspiring business owners.
Somehow...
Entrepreneurial Research And Testing
By: Scott Lindsay | 06/02/2007 | Business
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again." - Franklin P. Jones
Becoming an entrepreneur is about taking an idea and making a successful business from the sale of the idea. If the idea is a product, the sale of the product...
Of Frogs And Visionaries
By: Scott Lindsay | 06/02/2007 | Business
It begins as an idea. Once fully developed, the idea takes on a life that has roots in marketing, research, customer service and personal vision while wrapped in a unique blanket of promise.
The growth of the entrepreneurial spirit has much to do with creativity. The following quote is not attributable...
Entrepreneurialism And Mentorship
By: Scott Lindsay | 04/02/2007 | Business
Today's motivation for young entrepreneurs is being fueled through a variety of mentor-based programs that work to assist in the development of great ideas while pointing out potholes to avoid.
Organizations like Entrepreneurs Only (EO) are working to foster growth in young entrepreneurs with a sizeable dream. The organization further...
Entrepreneurialism: Doing The Wickipedia Four Step
By: Scott Lindsay | 19/02/2007 | Business
According to Wikipedia, "An entrepreneur is a person who undertakes and operates a new enterprise or venture and assumes some accountability for the inherent risks. In the context of the creation of for-profit enterprises, entrepreneur is often synonymous with founder."
Let's see if we can break this definition down into bite...
Article Marketing Strategies Revealed
By: Maury Wilks | 06/01/2008 | Internet
Article Marketing has emerged very fast as one of the best methods to design a successful business online, especially when your resources are limited.
Home Based Business: Did You Know?
By: Scott Lindsay | 19/02/2007 | Home Business
Did You Know...
* About 70% of home-based businesses will last over a three-year period, compared to 29% of other business ventures, according to the Home-Based Business Institute.
* Entrepreneur magazine estimates that $427 billion is generated each year by home-based businesses. Pittsburgh Business Times reports this figure is larger than General...
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to buy a beach chair rental business, where ...
By: AK1993 | 15-07-2008
I want to buy a beach chair rental business, where are there ones available in Florida?
What can I do when my business failed and I have ...
By: Patt | 14-07-2008
What can I do when my business failed and I have leased equipment that is not returnable and I personally gauranteed it.
What would be a good business to open in buffalo ...
By: April | 14-07-2008
what would be a good business to open in buffalo, ny?
What would be a good business to open in buffalo ...
By: April | 14-07-2008
what would be a good business to open in buffalo, ny?
Management Skills
By: cookecg51 | 14-07-2008
Whay are some of the categories of manegment skills that must be developed by mangement, and how does these skills help develop the corporate culture of that organization?
Has Pinnacle Investment Group, LLC, on Bryn Mawr ...
By: agent0365 | 14-07-2008
Has Pinnacle Investment Group, LLC, on Bryn Mawr Ave., in Chicago, IL, received any complaints on any business dealings?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Business Articles
15 Ways to Improve Your Closing Ratios and Sales Presentations
By: Katrina Sawa | 26/07/2008
It is not enough to do launching effective marketing campaigns to obtain new customers and to continually market to your existing database for more referrals and repeat business. In addition, you must be able to ask for and close the sale. Otherwise, it is a waste of time and money!
In Searching for Cost Reducitons, Look at Total Cash Flow Costs Rather Than Accounting Costs
By: Donald Mitchell | 26/07/2008
If you are a privately held company, look to reduce overall cash costs when considering alternative cost reductions, rather than the impact of reported earnings.
The More Trust, the More Time to Succeed
By: Andrew Cox | 26/07/2008
Bill Oncken, in his book Managing Management Time, says that the more trust you have with your "universe " of people, the more time you have to do the things that lead to success. Trust is hard to earn. Once lost it's hard to regain. It's the most precious asset in any relationship - at any level - at any time. Read on to see how a successful Division President builds trust.
10 Tips on the Issues With Selling Professionals
By: Drew Stevens | 26/07/2008
The world of professional selling is rich with information related to selling skills, sales training and techniques to assist professionals. However, after much rhetoric and information I am finding something completely different...a problem with selling professionals.
India - the Next Economic Powerhouse
By: Paul Hata | 25/07/2008
India is one of the fastest-growing countries in Asia. In 2006, India recorded a 1.2% of world trade share overall. The stat was picked out from WTO. The growth is mainly due to the liberalization that took place in India way back in 1991. Ever since then, there's no looking back.
Customer Service Toolkit
By: Drew Stevens | 25/07/2008
All businesses make money, yet those that are customer focused are more profitable.
Top 10 Brain Training Future Trends: New Mind/body Focus, Brain Trainers, and More
By: Alvaro Fernandez | 25/07/2008
In an emerging, dynamic, high growth market, like brain training, it is difficult to make precise projections. But, we can observe a number of trends that executives, consumers, public policy makers, and the media should watch closely in the coming years, as brain fitness and training becomes mainstream, new brain trainers appear, and an ecosystem grows around it. Here you have the Top Ten trends I predict.
Commercial Loans and Working Capital Financing Special Reports
By: Steve Bush | 25/07/2008
A prudent approach to working capital management is becoming more difficult for most commercial borrowers. Commercial loans have always been more complicated than realized by most business owners. Recent financing difficulties involving commercial mortgages, SBA loans and business cash advances have added significantly to the complexity of the entire commercial...
More from Scott Lindsay
Of Frogs And Visionaries
By: Scott Lindsay | 06/02/2007 | Business
It begins as an idea. Once fully developed, the idea takes on a life that has roots in marketing, research, customer service and personal vision while wrapped in a unique blanket of promise.
The growth of the entrepreneurial spirit has much to do with creativity. The following quote is not attributable...
Entrepreneurial Research And Testing
By: Scott Lindsay | 06/02/2007 | Business
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again." - Franklin P. Jones
Becoming an entrepreneur is about taking an idea and making a successful business from the sale of the idea. If the idea is a product, the sale of the product...
The Disappearing Silver Bullet
By: Scott Lindsay | 06/02/2007 | Business
Many individuals interested in a business startup are under the assumption that there is a magic silver bullet (or formula) for success. They are convinced that the successful businesses they have encountered gained access to this formula and are simply unwilling to share the knowledge with other aspiring business owners.
Somehow...
Improving The Odds Of Success In Ecommerce
By: Scott Lindsay | 05/02/2007 | Internet
Technological advances have allowed a series of potential revenue streams in the world of ecommerce. Certainly the technological revolution has allowed brick and mortar commerce to open its doors to international clients. And while this is a rather large tip on a rather large iceberg it's not the sum total...
Entrepreneurial Transitions
By: Scott Lindsay | 05/02/2007 | Business
Once you undertake the development of a business you utilize a variety of entrepreneurial skills. You find yourself working hard to keep things going, but there's a real sense of satisfaction in the work.
Recently I was told of a woman who had started her twenty-first business. In each case the...
8 Traits Of The Perfect Entrepreneur
By: Scott Lindsay | 05/02/2007 | Business
If you've considered the possibility of becoming an entrepreneur there are eight traits that are important in describing the perfect entrepreneur.
1. Risk Taker - Entrepreneurs understand that in order to make a profit they will need to assume a certain level of financial risk.
2. Business Manager - Entrepreneurs have a...
Social Entrepreneurs
By: Scott Lindsay | 05/02/2007 | Business
Many will view the world of entrepreneurialism as a means of developing a business to supply the financial requirements of household needs. The prevailing dream of most aspiring entrepreneurs is to work for themselves without the need to answer to a boss.
There is, however, a culture of entrepreneurs who not...
Entrepreneurialism And Mentorship
By: Scott Lindsay | 04/02/2007 | Business
Today's motivation for young entrepreneurs is being fueled through a variety of mentor-based programs that work to assist in the development of great ideas while pointing out potholes to avoid.
Organizations like Entrepreneurs Only (EO) are working to foster growth in young entrepreneurs with a sizeable dream. The organization further...
Business 
