Playing "Follow The Leader" - The Downfall Of Many Entrepreneurs
A good education is always a good start in life, but think about this for a moment:
Most formal schooling prepares us to work for others. If we are good at following school rules and what the teacher says, then we will probably do okay in the job world too.
Success in the job world, just like at school, depends on how good you are at playing the game of "follow the leader." When your boss says jump - you say how high? Just like at school, the boss tells you when to show up, imposes acceptable standards of dress and performance, sets assignments and deadlines etc.
If you behave yourself at school, try hard and do your homework on time, then you are rewarded with good marks, good report cards, good friends, certificates, camps, vacations, trophies and special recognition for outstanding achievement.
The job world is no different. You are rewarded with a wage or salary, commissions, promotions, fringe benefits, bonuses, satisfying work, friendships, training programs, vacations and special recognition for jobs well done.
In short, if you were good at playing "follow the leader" at school, you'll probably be good at playing follow the leader in the job world too.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking "working for someone else." I'm just making a point - to be successful in the job world, you need to be a good follower and a good team player. This sense of belonging and security suits most people just fine.
However, working for someone else is nothing like being an entrepreneur and the boss of your own business. This is where many "new-comers" in business become horribly unstuck.
Why? To become an entrepreneur requires a different plan or map, because you are taking a different road, to a different destination.
You will have to be a self-starter and not rely on others. For example, when you work a 'regular job' your boss feeds you work and you have to do whatever job you are given even if you hate doing it. Your reward... a salary or wage.
Being an entrepreneur means finding WHAT to do, HOW to do it and WHERE to market your ideas. It requires a different mindset of focusing on opportunity rather than security.
To survive as an entrepreneur you soon learn:
· You won't know everything, no one does. You never stop learning.
· Motivation alone will not make you successful.
· Knowing everything about your specialty or the manufacturing process will not overcome a lack of business and marketing skills.
· People will not automatically rush to buy what you have to offer.
· Without sales you are out of business.
It's not enough to just know what you know. You also need to know what you don't know... and what you need to know.
These can be hard lessons to learn and unfortunately, many entrepreneurs find out too late.
© Market Leaders Limited.
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About the author: Noel Peebles has bought, developed and sold several of his own businesses, and has been involved with the purchase and sale of many others. He has fifteen years of 'hands on' experience, directing his own highly successful' retail businesses, including franchise marketing and business development. He also has his own public self-storage complex. And, he's traveled extensively to over forty countries.