One of my colleagues mentioned to me the other day that there are so many people who seem to have a somewhat vague idea that there may just be some sort of opportunity around the now very imminent World Cup football tournament. But they just can't quite put their fingers on it...so they instead complain about the lack of obvious prospects.

Um, people, like my headline says, opportunity KNOCKS, it doesn't come beating down the door and begging you to 'be the lucky one'. Remember, if business was easy, we'd all be a raging success and driving vulgar cars. If you'll permit me an aphorism, 'Success is just a matter of luck. Ask any unlucky man.'

The point is that identifying an opportunity and making it work isn't easy. It takes courage, the sort that not everyone has, if you are going to identify a gap, add value and as a consequence, laugh all the way to the bank. Clint Eastwood once remarked something along the lines of 'People engineer their own doom; we are as afraid of success as we are of failure'. I reckon that means people are scared of trying sometimes... It comes down to you; the universe is funny like that, it doesn't provide unless you make it provide.

So, making your business fly really comes down to what you're prepared to do; no amount of complaining is likely to get it anywhere.

But British Airways is giving a helping hand in making business fly by dishing out a whole whack of international air tickets so your small business can connect with the world.

It's a clever campaign since its research indicates that 89% of businesspeople say they believe that face-to-face meetings are essential to 'sealing the deal' (People buy from people...being in front of them works.)

With its campaign, British Airways South Africa is giving 50 SMBs 10 international business class air tickets each, totally 500 international air tickets to promote the expansion of local businesses. You can check it out and apply www.ba.com/safrica-grants

We think that's pretty cool. If you're keen on getting some international business going, around the World Cup or otherwise, there's no better time to give it a go than right now.

Oh, and what's that sound? Could it be a knock at the door? Remember to open it, could be opportunity gently knocking and wondering if anyone will answer.