The “Two Beers and A Napkin” Test
Chuck on the Work at Home Business Opportunities Weblog:
When I was reviewing MLM companies in print, here’s how I decided if it was worth my time to review them.I call it the “2 Beers and a Napkin� test.
If the MLM company could have been dreamed up from start to finish by 2 guys drinking a beer and written down on a napkin, it was probably not a good company.
Here’s what I mean.
If two guys (or gals, let’s be fair) can dream up a company and they appreantly have
- No unique product
- No manufacturing contacts
- Nothing but a hot headline designed to troll the business opportunity markets for the least likely to succed, it flunks the test.
Digichex on October 7th, 2005 11:36 pm
The writer has found a simple way to evaluate any business plan as well as mlm specific. Any business that can be put down on a napking in 2 hours or less drunk or sober will most like fail if it even suvives the light of day and the hangover that goes with it. While the seed or inspiration may come in this manner the full due dilligence will likely take a lot longer. MLM does not make any business exempt from accepted business practices and full due dilligence.
Rick Zeien
Founding Member
Digichex
Richard Bacher on October 8th, 2005 9:42 am
>>>If the MLM company could have been dreamed up from start to finish by 2 guys drinking a beer and written down on a napkin, it was probably not a good company.
What an incredibly ignorant comment. Even the clarification is crazy. One doesn’t even need a unique product to start a great busines…they could sell the same product at the same price and just give far better service.
Richard Valdez on October 13th, 2005 6:50 pm
You could try to market the same product at the same price with service being the deciding factor; however, that does not give you much of an edge. I market products for a reputable & publically traded company, that everyone needs and very few people have. Why compete with everyone else pushing the “me too” products?
Harvard Business School gives the best five criteria for evaluating a business opportunity: Company (credibility, etc.), Need (in the marketplace), Product (that fills that need), Compensation, and Market Timing.
I prefer those guidelines over napkins any day. If you have any questions, please email me at rich@richvaldez.com
The Success Spot on October 25th, 2005 4:21 pm
Maybe, maybe not. However, if it can be *explained* to someone over two beers and written on a napkin, then it may be a great idea.
Leave a Reply