The Blog - Where Business Collides with Human Nature

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.

How do you answer to the boss?

• Do you create expectations in advance beyond the the boss's calendar to be ready for answers?
• Do you challenge the boss by asking hard questions?
• Are you someone who does exactly what the boss says?
• Do you anticipate in advance what the boss will ask of you?
• Do you tell the boss what your best choice is among all the available options?
• Do your co-workers and bosses ask you difficult questions?
  • If so, do you give them support or say: "Get lost"?
• Have you created a totally new way to do things, something no one has ever seen or done?
• Do you seek out the boss when you make an error or mistake?
• Do you frequently often do you push, encourage and lead your co-workers to do ever better work?
• Will next month be one the boss will celebrate because you are on the team?
• Do you insist that your co-workers challenge, push and encourage you?
• Do you appreciate the boss when he/she gives feedback which contradicts your opinion?
• Do you thank the boss?

Acronym:  M.A.D. = Making A Decision. 

Silly acronyms in a business might certainly gag a few of the more sophisticated people in the room but they can be so much fun and certainly make a point.

Acronym:  M.A.D. = Making A Difference

Either acronym works. 

The real question is:  "Which body part is used to make decisions?"

Knowledge Empowers so Learn & Teach - but awareness and caution are needed first.  Each person has their own world view, expertise and method for learning.

Take, for instance, the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition.  The model proposes that a student passes through five distinct stages: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert.

Business ownership and being an entrepreneur is about “I am responsible”. At times, this is interpreted as “I have the total freedom to do what I want.”

Success stories rarely include major failures along the way, the proverbial blood spilled, families splitting, health failing and people harmed.  

The difficulties can be avoided if they did not have a syndrome that prioritizes theirr hunger for freedom.

My response to those wanting to start a business or become an entrepreneur "Avoid the Freedom Syndrome”

Time has always been a precious resource - but it is treasured even more so today. Present day lifestyles are often demanding and hectic. Because modern day society is challenged with busy schedules that are packed into limited timeframes, there are many people who want to know how to master time and relieve stress and pressures from deadlines.

Deep thoughts to consider building a success.  Go back in time to when there was no TV or Internet.  Blogging by those from ancient times would give us deep thoughts vs. noise, don't you think?

I love to sing. In 8th grade, I signed up for the choir class.
Soon I learned my skills were not as amazing as I had hoped.

Ir's pretty simple... consider the opinions, ideas and thoughts of others to be more valuable than your own and you will find it necessary to listen more carefully and consider their world view.  

This is a story about a man with hope and faith during a time of emergency.  It is applicable to both personal life and business success of entrepreneurs.

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There once was a man who lived in a two story house.  The house was near a river and unfortunately the river began to flood. 

As the river rose, warnings were given via radio, TV and shortwave. Large jeeps drove through the area to evacuate people.  As a jeep drove by the man's house, he was told:

"You are in danger.  Your life is at stake.  You must evacuate.  Get in the Jeep.  Let us help you evacuate."

An excellent culture might be perceived as a form of "perfection".  At what point does one draw the line, point and say: "Now we have achieved an excellent culture." Once the line is drawn, the excellence achieved, a few will be looking over their shoulder more worried about the achievement of culture vs. the people, purpose and profit of the organization.

Do you look around an organization you lead, are a member of or work for and ask yourself "how long will I put up with this?"  If so, you will not find the answers internally. The answers are external and yes, you can have an impact on the culture at almost any level.

Defined: Organizational culture is the behavior of humans within an organization and the meaning that people attach to those behaviors.

Don't talk to sales people, they are the devil.  If you act like a sales person, people will think you are the devil.  Labeling people is detrimental to good relationships.  It is a bit like saying "all blondes are dumb" or "all accountants are boring".  If you label people, you are the devil.

Sales people can seem like the devil.  So can entrepreneurs who are too focused, marketing strategists who don't connect well, working mothers who are over their head or someone who is having chronic health issues.