With the highly possible increase in downsizing trends, more and more people are made redundant.

The next logical step for those people are: looking for another job and starting a business.

The former is more desirable for those who place income security high in their list, but the latter is more desirable for those who are being fed up with all the corporate politics and seemingly unfair downsizing.

Whatever step you want to choose, I recommend you to consider the latter for two reasons:

1. Throughout the history of small business, being downsized is one of the most successful life changing experience in born new, thriving, entrepreneurs.
2. Getting back into the workforce with the standard you had before is not as easy as you think - businesses cut costs, and one of the area that are being heavily cut is payroll - bottom line, businesses want more for less these days.

Without further adieu, the following is the top 10 small business ideas for 2009 that might entice you to plunge into entrepreneurship:

1. Do-It-Yourself business
Most of the case, DIY reduce costs. If you can provide products and services that allow people to DIY something, such as creating your own home cleaning products, you are on a roll.
2. Energy saving business
This idea is definitely hot in the past few years, and in 2009 the emphasis on energy cost-cutting regimes will push any energy saving businesses even further. Producing or distributing LED lightings will be the right business this year.
3. Online business
Ah, my favourite small business idea. The wonder of the Internet is this: For as low as $50 (a domain name + web hosting fee) or even for free, you can start a lucrative online business and shoot for a chance to create a six figure business before this 2009 ends! Of course, one key factor: your competitiveness in a low-cost, high-competition market.

4. Baby boomer-related business
The highlight of the year: Baby boomers are retiring from the workforce, creating a mega-problem to the economy - thanks to the flawed MediCare, Social Security and retirement funds. Creating a business that act as a safety-net for those baby boomers will boom your business sky-high. One example of such business is entrepreneurship training business for baby boomers.
5. Cheap and/or recycled product business
“Turning trash into cash” type of business is very, very lucrative this year. With the increase in material and production costs, making use of ‘useless’ materials and create something out of them will proved to be a thriving business. One example: Creating Converse-like canvass shoes out of wastes - the scrapbooking style.
6. Home based business
The best cost-cutting innovation of all - work from your home! With the ever-presence of the Internet, working at home
7. Charity and philantropy
Giving as a business? Never - However, you can be a business that match recipients and givers, such as the web-based Kiva.com that match small business borrowers with lenders.
8. Outsourcing
There is a better solution in your cost cutting campaign - outsourcing. Outsourcing main benefit is leaning your company so you are more nimble and resposive to changes. The key in outsourcing is finding the right companies to outsource to. The business idea: outsourcing company that manage service buyers needs.
9. Mobile business
No longer a trend for road warriors out there, but a growing trend for new entrepreneurs who envision themselves as location independent business owners. Again, the Internet plays a major role in mobile business, as well as the more powerful and cutting-edge mobile technologies and gadgets. Your iPhone and MacBook Air will enable you to run your business wherever you are.
10. Bootstrapping and cost-cutting consultancy business
As every business owner aim to be leaner and more responsive, bootstrapping and cost-cutting consultants will have their moments this year - roles, such as energy consultants, Internet startup consultants, and similar others will enjoy substantial growth this year.
for more tips send mail to ideasdaily@gmail.com

That a very good post, i also want to add this lucrative business the importation of wristwatches,phones,laptops,necklaces,elctronics e.t.c very cheap prices from china and uk.
The problem is that some of us want to venture in that business but we dont have anybody to take us by the hand.
Below i will include the step by step process you need to follow to start your own importation business with just N10,000.


Start AN IMPORTATION BUSINESS WITH JUST N10,000 Import wristwatches, Jewelry, Phones, Laptops, Clothes, Electronics at very cheap prices from China and Uk...


Step one;

STEP ONE:

The first step you have to take to start importation of goods into Nigeria is to ORDER. You have to go through the product catalogue, check the prices of the goods and find out how much you can sell it in Nigeria so will make profits. That is the first thing you need to put into consideration. Then select the goods you like,put them in your shopping cart, shopping cart is just like a supermarket shopping basket the only thing is that this one is on the internet. Remember everything is done online,no need for you to travel to china,usa or uk to buy the goods. Now that we are through with step One which is how to order the products now lets take a look at step Two.


STEP TWO:

Now that we are through with our goods order, what we need to look at now is how to pay for the goods through Escrow system. Now let me explain what Escrow system is in lay mans words so you will understand. We know well this is the internet, and lots of fraudulent activities go on. There are cases where you might order for goods from a manucfacturer in china,usa or uk and lets say after you made payments to the manucfacturers account, the manucfacturer ignores you and runs away with your money or lets say the goods you ordered were sent to you but you found out the products are in bad shape or they are not the exact products you ordered, then you will contact Escrow system. You dont pay your money directly to the manucfacturer or supplier rather you pay to a third party which is called Escrow System and they will hold the money untill you have received your goods and checked that everything is in good order as you ordered it, then you will contact the Escrow system and they will release the money to the manucfacturer. But if you are not satisfied with the goods you can return them and ask for your money back. That is why i always use Escrow system when importing goods into Nigeria because it always gives me peace of mind. Escrow simply means that you are not paying directly to the seller of the goods rather you are paying to a reputable company who will keep the money until the supplier ships the goods and you receive it, confirm the quality and then inform the escrow company to release the payments to the supplier and incase the goods ain't what you bought just request for a refund from escrow.

NOTE: Don't ever request for a refund when what you bought is what you received cause it will be investigated and you might lose credibility that no seller will be willing to sell to you again. Don't play too Smart.

Now that we know how to order goods using Escrow system lets take a look at Step Three,


STEP THREE;

STEP THREE:
Finally we have ordered for the goods, we paid for the goods through the Escrow System and now we are waiting anxiously to receive our goods at our door steps. Most manucfacturers in china,usa and uk ship the goods to Nigeria through DHL,FEDEX and EMS,arrival of goods usually takes 5-6days for you to receive it.

Do you want to start importing goods into Nigeria with just ₦10,000
IF YES...http://www.ImportersGuide.net to become a professional wholesale Importer and start importing goods to Nigeria with ₦10,000!
Visit: http://www.ImportersGuide.net to start Importing Goods Into Nigeria With Just N10,000http://www.ImportersGuide.net

I hope my little contribution helps...