You've probably read a hundred job descriptions in your lifetime. "Fortune 5000 company seeks highly motivated middle manager for much work and little pay." Or how about, "small company hoping for growth seeks entrepreneurial mind so that you can work and boss can take the credit." If either of those jobs describes you then by all means go for it. But what if there was a job posting for an entrepreneur? What would the description be for someone willing to strike out on his own?
First, an entrepreneur has to be creative. It is said that genius is seeing something that no one has seen before. Well, entrepreneurship is seeing a need no one has seen before and then figuring out a great way to fill it. Just getting the idea for a business requires creativity, let alone keeping it going. Marketing your business requires creativity. Keeping it running on a shoestring requires creativity. You need to be able to think outside of the box.
Secondly, if you are going to strike out on your own then you need to be willing to work hard. Remember, as an entrepreneur your success or failure will be on your shoulders and yours alone. If your idea bombs you will have no one to blame but yourself. Granted if you strike it big you won't have to share the credit with anyone either. Sure there are stories out there about people whose first idea made them a million pounds in just six weeks. The truth is that most of those stories are exaggerations or outright lies. Every supposed "overnight success" likely reflects months and years of hard work leading to that single breakthrough. An entrepreneur needs to be willing to work hard to make that breakthrough happen.
Thirdly, you need to believe in yourself and your ideas. Entrepreneurs need to be just egotistical enough to believe that against all odds their idea has merit and can work. After all, if you don't believe in your idea then how could you possibly sell it? You also need to be charismatic enough to get other people to believe along with you. It is people believing in you and your idea who will be your ever-important first clients. These will be the people who give you a chance before you have any sort of reputation or track record.
Lastly, you need to be willing to take risks. This doesn't mean an entrepreneur is foolhardy though. It means you are willing to take calculated risks. Moving into a new field is a calculated risk. It may be something you've never done before but if you weigh out all of the options you can see that it has a good chance of paying off. You need to be able to take those risks without too much second-guessing and wondering if you've made the right decision.
If you're considering striking out on your own then consider all of these traits of an entrepreneur and think about if you have them in the right quantities. If you're creative and hardworking, and if you believe in yourself and can take risks then you might just have what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
Discover how to build your own autopilot internet business that earns £1,000s every month within 8 to 12 weeks. Start living the life you want. Enjoy your freedom. Kill your day job. Create an online business starting right now. How? That's easy,read this blog for plenty of help,tips,and advice.Good luck to you all.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Why More and More Entrepreneurs Are Becoming Internet Entrepreneurs
Have you noticed how more and more entrepreneur are migrating toward the internet? The net is definitely the new playground for entrepreneurs. More and more people are realizing that they can start their own internet business and make more money with less work. Business owners are realizing that there are bigger markets and more profits to be earned online. And existing businesses are gradually making the shift from traditional commerce to ecommerce. Here are some of the fantastic benefits of doing business online...
Lower Cost of Startup
More entrepreneurs are now being able to get into business because the internet offers so many low cost and even free business opportunities. Many entrepreneurs are put at a stand still because they cannot fund capital to pursue their business ideas. Now there are no excuses for not getting into business if you want to. Low cost and low risk, what could be better?
Easier Automation
Many people decide to get into business so that they can build financial freedom. Financial freedom is only possible when you earn passive income, which is money that you earn without working. Automating businesses so that they run without your active participation is easy online, and additional income streams can be added easily to just about any business.
More Options for Using Leverage
Leverage is a mechanism that enhances power, like a business owner who uses employees to do more work, provide more service, and generate more revenue. The internet offers so many advantages when it comes to leverage. For example, each webpage on a good, search engine optimized website, can be used over and over again to draw in free traffic. Building lots of pages is using a lot of leverage.
More Free Advertising
What could an entrepreneur love more than free advertising. The only problem is that in the offline world, free advertising isn't easy to come by. And most of the offline methods for free advertising are not very effective. But the internet offers a variety of marketing methods that can be done with zero cost, and are very effective. These include search engine marketing, article marketing, blogging, and viral marketing.
Less Overhead
Cutting down on advertising costs is a great way to reduce overhead and increase profits, and it is only one example of how business online can have much less overhead than traditional business. Website hosting, a domain name, and you could be making money online. How less expensive could a business be? You can even get started with many internet business without any money at all, which gives more business entrepreneurs the ability to go into business for themselves.
These are just a few of the myriad of ways in which the internet has made being an entrepreneur even more exciting with more potential, more convenience, and unlimited opportunity. Whether you are already in business or just looking to get started, make sure you include the internet in your business and marketing pursuits. There is a lot of money to be made now and in the coming years, and anyone can be planting seeds in the form of automated internet businesses. Simple websites, blogs, and social networks are being to to generate substantial incomes for internet entrepreneurs.
Ben is a young entrepreneur who has several successful businesses under his belt, and enjoys sharing information on a wide range of business, financial, and entrepreneurial topics. Visit Wealthy Internet Entrepreneur and the Internet Entrepreneur Blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_Frank_Jr.
Lower Cost of Startup
More entrepreneurs are now being able to get into business because the internet offers so many low cost and even free business opportunities. Many entrepreneurs are put at a stand still because they cannot fund capital to pursue their business ideas. Now there are no excuses for not getting into business if you want to. Low cost and low risk, what could be better?
Easier Automation
Many people decide to get into business so that they can build financial freedom. Financial freedom is only possible when you earn passive income, which is money that you earn without working. Automating businesses so that they run without your active participation is easy online, and additional income streams can be added easily to just about any business.
More Options for Using Leverage
Leverage is a mechanism that enhances power, like a business owner who uses employees to do more work, provide more service, and generate more revenue. The internet offers so many advantages when it comes to leverage. For example, each webpage on a good, search engine optimized website, can be used over and over again to draw in free traffic. Building lots of pages is using a lot of leverage.
More Free Advertising
What could an entrepreneur love more than free advertising. The only problem is that in the offline world, free advertising isn't easy to come by. And most of the offline methods for free advertising are not very effective. But the internet offers a variety of marketing methods that can be done with zero cost, and are very effective. These include search engine marketing, article marketing, blogging, and viral marketing.
Less Overhead
Cutting down on advertising costs is a great way to reduce overhead and increase profits, and it is only one example of how business online can have much less overhead than traditional business. Website hosting, a domain name, and you could be making money online. How less expensive could a business be? You can even get started with many internet business without any money at all, which gives more business entrepreneurs the ability to go into business for themselves.
These are just a few of the myriad of ways in which the internet has made being an entrepreneur even more exciting with more potential, more convenience, and unlimited opportunity. Whether you are already in business or just looking to get started, make sure you include the internet in your business and marketing pursuits. There is a lot of money to be made now and in the coming years, and anyone can be planting seeds in the form of automated internet businesses. Simple websites, blogs, and social networks are being to to generate substantial incomes for internet entrepreneurs.
Ben is a young entrepreneur who has several successful businesses under his belt, and enjoys sharing information on a wide range of business, financial, and entrepreneurial topics. Visit Wealthy Internet Entrepreneur and the Internet Entrepreneur Blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_Frank_Jr.
Characteristics of an Entrepreneur - Have You Got What it Takes?
Recently the well known Entrepreneur magazine released two articles which highlighted some interesting points about the characteristics of entrepreneur minded people.
"Definition of an entrepreneur: Someone who assumes the financial risk of the initiation, operation and management of a business"
"Entrepreneurs are optimistic and future oriented; they believe that success is possible and are willing to risk their resources in the pursuit of profit. They are fast moving and flexible, willing to change quickly when they get new information. Entrepreneurs are persistent and determined to succeed, because their own money and ego are at risk."
"Entrepreneurs are driven not by the need to make money, but by the need to make their dreams a reality. More often than not, money is a byproduct of an entrepreneur's motivation rather than the motivation itself."
I particularly like the ego bit, interesting and promising points, don't you think?
In my opinion the most important characteristics of entrepreneur which they have identified is optimistic and persistent. So have you got what it takes? Are you optimistic and persistent?
If you were not born a natural entrepreneur, that's absolutely OK, the best way to learn characteristics of entrepreneur, is to surround yourself with other entrepreneurs, learn from their stories and experiences, motivate yourself with their own success.
Just to get you started, here are a few quotes from famous entrepreneurs to inspire you!
"Business opportunities are like buses, there's always another one coming."
- Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Enterprises
"I have always found that my view of success has been iconoclastic: success to me is not about money or status or fame, its about finding a livelihood that brings me joy and self-sufficiency and a sense of contributing to the world."
- Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop
"We were young, but we had good advice and good ideas and lots of enthusiasm."
- Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft Corporation
"The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance. Remember, the greatest failure is to not try. Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it."
- Debbi Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies
Twitter is a great way to connect with other entrepreneurs, you can get a dose of the characteristics of entrepreneur as often as you want in 140 characters or less!
Hayley works with an amazing group of entrepreneurs with an incredibly powerful system in place.
Industry Leaders and Master Marketers have spent years and millions of dollars creating this system so you can be successful!
Copy proven methods and learn marketing secrets. Increase your business knowledge and winning mindset with ongoing training and support.
This system is the sales engine for a Global Financial Education company which focuses on true wealth creation!
For more information CLICK HERE RIGHT NOW!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hayley_Keen
"Definition of an entrepreneur: Someone who assumes the financial risk of the initiation, operation and management of a business"
"Entrepreneurs are optimistic and future oriented; they believe that success is possible and are willing to risk their resources in the pursuit of profit. They are fast moving and flexible, willing to change quickly when they get new information. Entrepreneurs are persistent and determined to succeed, because their own money and ego are at risk."
"Entrepreneurs are driven not by the need to make money, but by the need to make their dreams a reality. More often than not, money is a byproduct of an entrepreneur's motivation rather than the motivation itself."
I particularly like the ego bit, interesting and promising points, don't you think?
In my opinion the most important characteristics of entrepreneur which they have identified is optimistic and persistent. So have you got what it takes? Are you optimistic and persistent?
If you were not born a natural entrepreneur, that's absolutely OK, the best way to learn characteristics of entrepreneur, is to surround yourself with other entrepreneurs, learn from their stories and experiences, motivate yourself with their own success.
Just to get you started, here are a few quotes from famous entrepreneurs to inspire you!
"Business opportunities are like buses, there's always another one coming."
- Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Enterprises
"I have always found that my view of success has been iconoclastic: success to me is not about money or status or fame, its about finding a livelihood that brings me joy and self-sufficiency and a sense of contributing to the world."
- Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop
"We were young, but we had good advice and good ideas and lots of enthusiasm."
- Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft Corporation
"The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance. Remember, the greatest failure is to not try. Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it."
- Debbi Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies
Twitter is a great way to connect with other entrepreneurs, you can get a dose of the characteristics of entrepreneur as often as you want in 140 characters or less!
Hayley works with an amazing group of entrepreneurs with an incredibly powerful system in place.
Industry Leaders and Master Marketers have spent years and millions of dollars creating this system so you can be successful!
Copy proven methods and learn marketing secrets. Increase your business knowledge and winning mindset with ongoing training and support.
This system is the sales engine for a Global Financial Education company which focuses on true wealth creation!
For more information CLICK HERE RIGHT NOW!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hayley_Keen
Have you got what it takes
So, You want to Ben an Entrepreneur is a great article from Wall Street Journal that stems from a lot of observations. And the good thing about it there is a 10 question questionnaire that would help anyone asses whether they got the traits that would eventually determine you would do well or not. It was an eye opener for me as well. Just as many others, I also HAVE lofty dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur without giving much thought to what sacrifices it would take or how I could cope with the ups and downs.
Here's my take to the 5 questions from where I stand now. These answers may change over time, but for now, this is it.
1. Are you willing and able to bear great financial risk?
This is the biggest thing that is holding me back and making me moonlight. I have financial obligations like a mortgage and a lease that puts a fixed strain on my financials month by month. Though the lease is only another three years my mortgage runs another 13 years. SO unless I find a way to settle that first or build a recurring additional income that can pay the mortgage, this is my biggest drawback.
2. Are you willing to sacrifice your lifestyle for potentially many years?
This is something that I don't have a problem in doing. I can sacrifice my lifestyle for many (few) years. I have less risk here as my wife is on a pretty stable and well paying job and there is a fall back when it comes to supporting our lifestyle.
3. Is your significant other on board?
I think so! I did send her the link to the original article and asked for her response. My wife basically supports my goals as long as it doesn't put a lot of strain on our family time. But any new undertaking will take up quite a bit of time to be invested on it. I think the answer would lie in finding ways to improve the quality of the time spent with family, so even if you spend little time, you make that time count.
4. Do you like all aspects of running a business?
Yes and no. So far, from what I have experienced, I am good at certain things but not on somethings. I think the answer to this will also lie on the question 10, by finding a partner who likes to do the things that I don't necessarily enjoy doing.
I have recently joined a consortium of people to re-start an online venture that we planned sometime back but never got around to actually launching it. I think the arrangement that we have there is a good way for me to move forward. Stick to my knitting, and do what I am good at and enjoy doing and specialize in, and get other partners on board to handle the other areas.
5. Are you comfortable making decisions on the fly with no playbook?
This is something that I enjoy doing. I like making decisions and to keep things moving. I hate it when decisions are not made and are waiting for others to analyze and revert back. Like in most things in life, it is the decisions that you make that will make your business go forward or backward. You basically start with a clean sheet of paper and then write your story.
6. What's your track record of executing your ideas?
This is definitely one area that I would have to put a lot of effort in. With my recent dabbling with productivity improvement and what not I have improved myself slightly. But I was one of those people who had a lot of things that were put off. Procrastination was second nature to me. But thank god I am moving away from that self of mine.
7. How persuasive and well-spoken are you?
I do consider my self to be well spoken and this is something a lot of people agree with me on. And I am comfortable in selling, but just not so much on cold calling. I am a good presenter and can convince people. Again, what I need to do is to find a partner who is good at the pure selling part and I can sell the concept once the initial ice is broken. I am good at taking but not in breaking the ice!
8. Do you have a concept you're passionate about?
YES! I do have a broader concept that I am passionate about. I am passionate about the way the mobility and connectivity is changing our life styles and any business that I so must revolve around these concepts. Though I think real estate is a good line of business I will not get into business in that line.
9. Are you a self-starter?
I tread the middle path on this one. I would consider myself a self starter. When an idea energizes me I tend to be impatient until I try it. But I also do tend to get somewhat discouraged from the failures. This is another area that I am constantly working on, in not getting too down. But I generally have the ability to pick up from my lows pretty fast.
10. Do you have a business partner?
From the analysis above, it is critical that I have a business partner who would complement my strengths and weaknesses. I think I have a few people in mind, some of them that I have worked on a few projects with, and who are willing to join in with me in a new venture.
One test will be the new partnership that I am working on with a few others. If things go on well in that, I can draw the partners in that into the new ventures that I am passionate about. I just need to get them passionate about them as well. That is where my selling skills will be put to test.
Here's my take to the 5 questions from where I stand now. These answers may change over time, but for now, this is it.
1. Are you willing and able to bear great financial risk?
This is the biggest thing that is holding me back and making me moonlight. I have financial obligations like a mortgage and a lease that puts a fixed strain on my financials month by month. Though the lease is only another three years my mortgage runs another 13 years. SO unless I find a way to settle that first or build a recurring additional income that can pay the mortgage, this is my biggest drawback.
2. Are you willing to sacrifice your lifestyle for potentially many years?
This is something that I don't have a problem in doing. I can sacrifice my lifestyle for many (few) years. I have less risk here as my wife is on a pretty stable and well paying job and there is a fall back when it comes to supporting our lifestyle.
3. Is your significant other on board?
I think so! I did send her the link to the original article and asked for her response. My wife basically supports my goals as long as it doesn't put a lot of strain on our family time. But any new undertaking will take up quite a bit of time to be invested on it. I think the answer would lie in finding ways to improve the quality of the time spent with family, so even if you spend little time, you make that time count.
4. Do you like all aspects of running a business?
Yes and no. So far, from what I have experienced, I am good at certain things but not on somethings. I think the answer to this will also lie on the question 10, by finding a partner who likes to do the things that I don't necessarily enjoy doing.
I have recently joined a consortium of people to re-start an online venture that we planned sometime back but never got around to actually launching it. I think the arrangement that we have there is a good way for me to move forward. Stick to my knitting, and do what I am good at and enjoy doing and specialize in, and get other partners on board to handle the other areas.
5. Are you comfortable making decisions on the fly with no playbook?
This is something that I enjoy doing. I like making decisions and to keep things moving. I hate it when decisions are not made and are waiting for others to analyze and revert back. Like in most things in life, it is the decisions that you make that will make your business go forward or backward. You basically start with a clean sheet of paper and then write your story.
6. What's your track record of executing your ideas?
This is definitely one area that I would have to put a lot of effort in. With my recent dabbling with productivity improvement and what not I have improved myself slightly. But I was one of those people who had a lot of things that were put off. Procrastination was second nature to me. But thank god I am moving away from that self of mine.
7. How persuasive and well-spoken are you?
I do consider my self to be well spoken and this is something a lot of people agree with me on. And I am comfortable in selling, but just not so much on cold calling. I am a good presenter and can convince people. Again, what I need to do is to find a partner who is good at the pure selling part and I can sell the concept once the initial ice is broken. I am good at taking but not in breaking the ice!
8. Do you have a concept you're passionate about?
YES! I do have a broader concept that I am passionate about. I am passionate about the way the mobility and connectivity is changing our life styles and any business that I so must revolve around these concepts. Though I think real estate is a good line of business I will not get into business in that line.
9. Are you a self-starter?
I tread the middle path on this one. I would consider myself a self starter. When an idea energizes me I tend to be impatient until I try it. But I also do tend to get somewhat discouraged from the failures. This is another area that I am constantly working on, in not getting too down. But I generally have the ability to pick up from my lows pretty fast.
10. Do you have a business partner?
From the analysis above, it is critical that I have a business partner who would complement my strengths and weaknesses. I think I have a few people in mind, some of them that I have worked on a few projects with, and who are willing to join in with me in a new venture.
One test will be the new partnership that I am working on with a few others. If things go on well in that, I can draw the partners in that into the new ventures that I am passionate about. I just need to get them passionate about them as well. That is where my selling skills will be put to test.
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