'All ideas need not necessarily become sound business opportunities'. In reference to this statement explain the first three steps in idea and opportunity assessment.

Question

Accepted Answer

1. **Product identification** — An idea should lead the entrepreneur to a definite product or service which he can sell. The first step is to obtain a concept of the product or service suggested by the idea, and to see whether it is already available in the market; if it is, the reason for introducing the same product or service must be identified.

2. **Application and use** — Ideas are examined for their real life use and application. If the product already exists in the market, its present use is found out, and the idea may be modified for better use.

3. **Level of operation** — This is a crucial test for product or service identification. Depending on the use of the product or service, the entrepreneur will produce it in a cottage industry, a small scale industry or a large scale industry.