Surface Ripples

Working With Entrepreneurs

I’ve been lucky enough to work for two global finance organisations as well as with numerous entrepreneurs in my consultancy roles.

Large organisations are, very different to a small business (usually headed by the founder).  I continue to learn from entrepreneurs but can say now that there are several commonalities amongst all of them.

The first is a burning desire to bring something to market. It could be a product, a service, a solution to a problem, a way of doing something better cheaper faster or whatever.  Whatever it is, they’ve found a way to do it and to do it well enough that people are prepared to pay for it.  The thing is, only they really understand what it is they’re trying to achieve.  

Following on from the above, once an entrepreneur has defined what it is that they want to do, they go “all out” to see their vision come true.  They’ll work 24/7 to make it happen.

Another is what many of us may call “absent mindedness” or “inability to concentrate for long periods of time”.  Entrepreneurs’ minds work very differently from those of their workers.  They’re thinking about different things continuously and re-prioritising as they go.  They may be accused of “forgetting what you said five minutes ago” but usually what’s happened is that something more urgent has appeared on their “radar” (unbeknown to you) and they need to deal with that.  The key: keep your interactions short and to the point. Don’t waffle. 

Not only are they thinking about the immediate present and what needs doing, they’re thinking about the future.  They’re chairman of the board, director, CEO, chief finance officer, head of sales, head of product development, head of manufacturing and even head of logistics!

Many (but not necessarily all) entrepreneurs are also extremely flexible and patient (when they need to be). They have to be if their business is to flourish.  Whilst their workers may have the “luxury” of getting impatient with others, entrepreneurs appreciate that often they have to “suck it up” if they’re to get  the business.  They’re great at finding solutions and ways around a problem. 

Another trait that many have is they’re consummate salespeople.  Again, this may not apply to all but it does to those with whom I’ve worked so far. Even if they have to take on someone as a “professional” sales person, they still have to “sell” their idea, product or service to that person. 

Entrepreneurs aren’t always good when it comes to the details.  That doesn’t mean they “don’t do detail” it’s just that they tend to have the idea first and worry about details as they go along.  I’ve been amazed at the level of detail into which some of the entrepreneurs with whom I’ve worked have gone, but equally there are others who need others to “make it work”.  It’s a case of “have your people call my people”.

Are you an entrepreneur and do you see yourself in any of these?  Would you add more?

I’ve spent more than half my life delivering change in different world markets from the most developed to “emerging” economies. With a wealth of international experience in international financial services around the world running different operations and lending businesses, I started my own Consultancy to provide solutions for improving performance, productivity and risk management.  I work with individuals, small businesses, charities, quoted companies and academic institutions across the world. An international speaker, trainer, author and fund-raiser, I can be contacted by email. My website  provides a full picture of my portfolio of services.  

Labels: Career, Leadership, Productivity, Selling

posted by William Martin @ 08:40