Do this Entrepreneur Savvy Test BEFORE you start a business

Are you thinking that it would be great to work for yourself? As an entrepreneur, do you feel that you may have more choices and the opportunity to "get rich"? How many times have you looked in the mirror and said: “It’s time to say goodbye to the boss”?

While you may have a great talent and/or the idea of the century, there is more to being successful as an entrepreneur. There is a mindset, some call it a personality, and I would call it Entrepreneurial Savvy.

Most entrepreneurs have good energy, are persistent and no doubt create resources where there seem to be none available. Creative problem solving is included in their arsenal along with the ability to make decisions. I often refer to them as being “M.A.D.” (M.A.D. = Making A Decision). Many times you will see entrepreneurs who have a great ability to motivate, persuade and inspire others, which are all aspects of a good leader.

These are all learned skills and with study and practice your abilities will grow. For those areas you are still lacking in, adding to your team by hiring those with just the right skill sets can fill the need.

How many times have you seen hype about “Secrets to Success”? If you are a small business owner, there are no real “secrets to success”. You wear many hats and have thoughts about whether you were meant for such a thing.

Hats an entrepreneur wears can include:

Maintenance
Human Resources
Quality Control
Line Supervisor
Sanitation Engineer
Marketing/Advertising
Legal
Safety
Coach
Accountant
Public Relations
Community Participant
Customer Service
Trainer
Inventory Control
Counselor
Technology
Production
Cashier
Driver
Negotiator
Sales Person
Data Analysis
Project Planning Management

The Entrepreneur Savvy Test:

Your Answer:	Question to Ponder:	Choose from:
	1. When making a decision:	a. The bottom line is first considered in all my decisions. b. How others involved will be affected is my first consideration.
	2. How would you describe your desire to develop relationships with new people:	a. Enjoyable! Meeting new people and developing new relationships is great! b. I'll do it if I have to but would prefer not. Meeting new people is not comfortable for me.
	3. What is your talent:	a. Analyzing the current situation. b. Reviewing all the possibilities.
	4. Selling products, ideas and yourself:	a. The challenge is welcome. b. Uncomfortable and would prefer to avoid.
	5. Day-to-day administrative activities:	a. Details & organization are strengths. b. Staying focused is difficult.
	6. When is the time you get the most enthusiastic:	a. Planning and completing a project. b. Conceiving the idea for a project.
	7. It is time to write a business plan:	a. Planning how and where to begin is your next step. b. Time to find something else to do.
	8. When there are bumps in the road and the plan fails:	a. You are thrown off and pause. b. You adapt, change and continue.
	9. Preferred working environments are:	a. One which is very active, a place where interaction with others happens regularly. b. Very peaceful and quiet, a place where it is easy to focus on work.
	10. The most comfortable situation for you is:	a. After making a decision and having the knowledge that everything is handled. b. Before a decision is made, you prefer to keep an open mind about the possibilities.

"Whatever it takes, that's what I do." David R. Mellor (1963 - ) American groundskeeper, Director of Grounds, Fenway Park Results

Entrepreneur Savvy Test Results:

First, you must know that your answers are neither right nor wrong. As we have already reviewed, the hype of “Secret to Success” is not truly a secret.

If you chose mostly ‘a’:

Chances are it will be much easier to build a customer or client base. Having a natural talent to develop relationships will pave the way.
Since you are detail-oriented and organized, this will help you stay focused.
When it's time to make difficult decisions which affect the bottom line profit, having an objective decision making process often helps.
Please consider: Many small business owners begin by working alone. Maintaining contact with associates can go a long way when you need support.
There is no doubt that your ability to make decisions is very important but it could also backfire should it keep you from looking at all your options.
Stephen Covey says in “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, “Seek first to understand, then be understood”. Be sure to listen to others when making your decisions.

If you chose mostly ‘b’:

The chance of your company becoming stagnant is very low.
Being adaptive to the problems that arise will keep your business making progress.
Independent thought and action keeps you operating regardless of whether you connect with people or not.
Since you are not as comfortable connecting with people, business relationships will be a hurdle. Hiring someone with this talent/skill is recommended.
Consideration of the bottom line is very important and you are cautious not to give others feelings too high a priority. Move towards giving People, Purpose and Profit equal consideration to provide a solid foundation for decision making. If details and organization skills are missing, the next step is to hire another to handle the details.
You might also consider improving skills in the meantime with a personal coach who will guide you through the obstacle course of business activities.

The decision about starting your own business is definitely best left to you. A few factors affecting your decision are your goals, skill & knowledge, and financial resources.

“If you are going through hell, keep going." Sir Winston Churchill (1874–1965) English statesman

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