As the larger
private sector corporations gradually disappear from the business radar,
relinquishing many of once secure, reliable employment they have left in their
wake a remarkable by product.
I’m talking of
course about the Entrepreneur. I read recently that more new businesses were
started in 2010 than at any other time during the last 14 years, and there is
nothing to say that trend didn’t follow suit throughout 2011 as more and more
people utilised their own money, in most cases redundancy pay to set themselves
up in business.
Is this a case of
individuals showing true entrepreneurial spirit or is it just something that
has had to be done out of necessity in a rapidly declining employment
marketplace?
If it really is
entrepreneurial spirit it begs the question what defines an entrepreneur?
Now be careful, the
very word is exotic to the extreme, conjuring glamorous but sometimes
artificial imagery of wealth, success and revered inventory eminence.
A quick search on
the internet will tell you that the term entrepreneur was first coined by 19th century
economists, most notably Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Say who defined an
entrepreneur as "one
who undertakes an enterprise, especially a contractor, acting as intermediatory
between capital and labour"
Alternatively
a more contemporary definition would be ‘a person who has possession of a new
enterprise, venture or idea and is accountable for the inherent risks and the
outcome’.
Either
way in my view if you have taken a personal risk on a new business venture,
whether it be an existing or new idea, product or service offering you have
without doubt displayed true entrepreneurial qualities.
No
longer is this ‘club’ exclusive to the Gates, Bransons, Jobs and Sugars of the
world, we can all claim our membership. However, beware the pitfalls for they
are plentiful!
The
global economy needs its entrepreneurs, it is without question that new
business ventures, ideas and technology are essential to future economic
growth, but please don’t underestimate the challenge or indeed the associated
risks.
Being
a true entrepreneur is not something that should be taken lightly. You are a
beacon that shines bright in darker times. But remember, it’s not just about
the conception, the idea and the spark but about sustainability too.
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