BuzzProfits.com Tip of the Week =====================================

Entrepreneurial Inspiration Is Everywhere - but first you must open your eyes!

Barry Dunlop here - I had my eyes wide open this week, and as usual I found plenty of things to file away under our "The World Is a Swipe File" category.

Two that impressed me most were:

>> Trade Ring (a spin on that old web-ring idea?)

>> Water in a Box (water in a box?)

The Trade Ring ============

As some of you will know, in a previous life I was a Home Improvements contractor and I met up with one of my old buddies this week - who is an Electrical Contractor (Electrician). As you do, I asked my buddy how business was - and to be frank I was expecting him to say he was struggling / work was short - but he surprised me by saying business was great and in fact he was turning work away.

His secret? - The Trade Ring

Have you ever had a tradesperson to your home - for example a plumber and you are impressed with their work and then asked for an introduction to another tradesperson, for example an electrician or a landscaper? I know I have and I also know that usually they have someone they can recommend. Then more often than not they write the name of their recommendation on a scrape of paper (often illegible) which inevitably gets lost.

Well how about that self same tradesperson having printed on the back of his business card the names of 4 other trades people he recommends - just their first name, their trade and a phone number.

In my buddies case he is in "partnership" with a Plumber, Landscaper, Carpenter and a Painter / Decorator and of course each of his buddies has his name and number on the back of their business cards. All five TRADES are fully booked at a time when many others are struggling for work.

A simple but very effective idea that could be applied to so many businesses both offline and online.

Water in a Box ===========

This is a great example of taking what appears to be a "rule" -- that water should be sold glass or plastic bottles and turning it on its head and at the same time getting lots of Buzz and awareness for the idea.

CHECK OUT http://www.fitsugar.com/112808

Once a mere figment of my imagination, a drink box filled with water for adults, is now a reality.

The water is purified and packaged to a US Coast Guard Standard and has a five-year shelf life. Unlike bottled water, AQUA2GO requires no special storage, is lightweight and can easily be flattened after use.

The founders of this business even got Ellen DeGeneres to PLUG their business on her show - see the angle they used for that at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcCPArx2zGQ

The idea has been around a little while and I have seen other companies starting to offer it as well - so I imagine it will not be long until it becomes more mainstream

Thats all for now folks!

Have an amazing week

Barry

PS: Barry Dunlop - Maverick Entrepreneur - Uncensored - check out this interview http://www.incomediary.com/barry-dunlop-maverick-entrepreneur-and-master-salesman/