A burgeoning population, economic stressors and radical environmental challenges created the need for a new mindset and fourth IR skills and traits, one of which is entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship involves a shift in mindset. It is an attitude and approach that actively seeks out change, rather than adapting to changes that happen. This mindset embraces critical thinking, innovation, and continuous improvement. Says Leonora Swart, Financial Manager at Boston City Campus, “It’s about never being complacent. Growth does not happen in a comfort zone – whether personal or organisational”.
Boston Travel and Tourism Graduate Ncumisa Mkabile is a farming success story. While she may not be working in her field of study - she is an excellent example of entrepreneurial success through making opportunities, reinventing yourself, and using the skills you acquired in your studies to grow your own success. An entrepreneur at heart, this newly appointed Afasa provincial youth leader is raising the bar as a farmer and community activist.
Want to work in a medical environment but don’t have the entry requirements to study a medical degree? A clinic or hospital needs varied skills to keep it operational and effective – everything from PR to marketing, bookkeeping to paralegal. “What we are suggesting is that you use lateral thinking to work in the industry you want,” says Leonora.
Why is entrepreneurial spirit important?
Entrepreneurial individuals and businesses have increased productivity, better problem-solving, and fresher ideas. There is an idea that entrepreneurship means starting your own business because you couldn’t find a job or because you couldn’t afford to study” says Leonora. “For success, you need a foundation of tertiary studies - whether financial or bookkeeping, fourth IR such as the BSocSci – or even travel and Tourism like Ncumisa – ‘varsity studies are the best foundation for any successful business”. And then a fourth IR trait added to the mix -Entrepreneurship.
“An entrepreneurial spirit is a way of approaching situations where you feel empowered, motivated, and capable. Companies that nurture an entrepreneurial spirit …encourage their employees to not only see problems, solutions and opportunities, but to come up with ideas to do something about them.” (Sara Sutton Fell, CEO and founder of FlexJobs , from Forbes.com).
Developing an entrepreneurial spirit requires:
- Cultivating a belief that you can and do possess the ability to achieve: People who believe in their abilities actually improve their ability to complete tasks.
- Envisioning success: Understanding what success feels like is the first step toward achieving it.
Leonora says that entrepreneurial people “don’t take no for an answer, like our CEO!” Entrepreneurial people think anything is possible, they think without boundaries, and they work well with their team – people who aren’t afraid to lead the project and are as content to be given the to-do list. Entrepreneurship is successful when there is true collaboration and buy-in to the concept. And they surround themselves with people who have tenacity. “Everyone has a voice that needs to be nurtured, not criticised, in order to bring innovative ideas to life.”
These 10 characteristics are shared by entrepreneurial individuals:
- Determination.
- Willingness to take risks.
- Resourcefulness.
- Optimism.
- Innovation.
- Constant evolution.
- Leadership.
- Curiosity.
“My advice is to rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 on each of these traits, then set yourself goals of improving your rating to cultivate your entrepreneurial spirit, and thereafter your personal and business success,” says Leonora. Go ahead -write your traits and ratings on a sticky note, stick this on your laptop, and get your spirits up!
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/10/22/how-to-keep-your…- alive-as-the-company-you-work-for-grows/?sh=4577b230c0d4
Author: Natalie Rabson for Boston City Campus
