dear sir, I am working with LTD pharma company and very recently I have resigned from my job of production manager. In future I don't want to work with current profession and thinking to start suitable business. Could you please guide me what i shall plan to start the business. I am quite sure the time i spend with my current organization can be utilized for the business.

Ans: As you are 50 years age and has vast experience in this field.
You can look for a job in the relevant field through job portals.

Ans: Starting a new business is a significant decision, and it should align with your skills, interests, and financial capabilities. Since you have extensive experience in sales and marketing and have prepared numerous projects for companies, you have a strong background that can be leveraged to your advantage. Here are some steps to help you decide which business to start:

Self-Assessment:

Reflect on your passions, interests, and hobbies. Starting a business in a field you are passionate about can be more fulfilling.
Consider your strengths and skills, including your sales and marketing expertise.
Evaluate your financial situation and determine your budget for starting a business.
Market Research:

Conduct market research to identify industries and niches that have growth potential and align with your expertise.
Look for gaps or unmet needs in the market that your skills and experience can address.
Identify Opportunities:

Consider opportunities in your local area or industries that are experiencing growth.
Explore the possibility of consulting or offering services based on your expertise in sales and marketing.
Business Plan:

Develop a detailed business plan that outlines your business idea, target market, competition, financial projections, and marketing strategy.
Assess the feasibility and potential profitability of your business idea.
Networking:

Leverage your professional network and industry contacts to explore potential partnerships or collaborations.
Seek advice from mentors or experienced entrepreneurs who can provide valuable insights.
Validate Your Idea:

Before fully committing, consider testing your business idea on a smaller scale or conducting a pilot project to validate demand.
Evaluate Risk Tolerance:

Assess your risk tolerance and consider how comfortable you are with the potential challenges and uncertainties of entrepreneurship.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations:

Research the legal and regulatory requirements for starting a business in your area, including licenses, permits, and taxes.
Start Small:

It's often advisable to start small and gradually scale your business as you gain experience and confidence.
Seek Professional Advice:

Consult with business advisors, accountants, and legal experts to ensure you have a solid foundation for your business.
Ultimately, the business you choose to start should align with your skills, interests, and goals. Given your background in sales and marketing, you may consider starting a consulting firm or offering marketing services to small businesses. Remember that entrepreneurship can be challenging, but with the right planning and dedication, it can also be a rewarding journey.

Ans: I have suggested approaches to take with respect to identifying and validating business ideas to previous Rediff users. Kindly go through the same. There are several opportunities but you need to focus on those which are
1) relevant to your experience, expertise,network, passion,
2) take into account finance available or that can be organised by you, plus
3) offer growing prospects.
Pharma and healthcare itself is such a growing industry India from manufacturing to diagnostics to sales and marketing to exports and more.

Ans: In whatever is your area of interest, talk to as many experts and consumers you can.. evaluate if your idea is solving a real problem that your potential consumers face. Fine tune your business idea. Then again talk to people if they are willing to pay you money to sort out the problem.. and how much. Concurrently, talk to experts on the cost of solving the problem/ offering the solution. Wherever you think the cost of solution is lesser than what people are willing to pay, is a good idea to work on prima facie. Then create a detailed feasibility report. Take help of some expert at this stage. Understand the investments and evaluate how you will need to fund the business initially. See if you can get some grants / seed funding. Typically seed funding is through friends and family . There are also a few govt schemes for entrepreneurs- see if you can get some grant/ financial assistance under these schemes. Put some of your own money and start implementing your idea in the mean while. Don’t be over optimistic in your planning. Work for the best but be prepared for the worst.