qualities of a successful entrepreneur

Characteristics/qualities of a successful entrepreneur
Qualities or Personal Entrepreneurial Characteristics (PEC) of successful entrepreneurs refer to the desired traits, which enable an entrepreneur to do what is expected of him/her and succeed in business. It is the combination of these characteristics that is required to enable any one to perform effectively as an entrepreneur. It is possible for people to develop these characteristics and succeed in their careers as entrepreneurs. Successful entrepreneurs have common characteristics, which are divided into three clusters namely achievement,planning and power.

1. Achievement Cluster

Opportunity seeking

This refers to the quality that enables the entrepreneur to see and act upon new business opportunities even in situations where other people see nothing but problems/hopelessness only. It also encourages him/her to seize unusual opportunities for obtaining the necessary resources such as financing, equipment, land, workspace, technical assistance, etc, which will enable him/her to implement his/her business ideas.

Commitment to the work contract

This is the ability to accept final responsibility for completing a job for the customers. Customers expect entrepreneurs to perform and honour their commitments. It follows therefore that the entrepreneur should do everything possible to ensure that he/she fulfils the commitment with his/her customers. It means joining the workers to work with them to ensure that contractual commitments are fulfilled, the entrepreneur will do it.

Persistence

This is the quality, which enables the entrepreneurs to develop determination to have a thorough job done at any cost in terms of personal sacrifice. By doing this, the entrepreneur remains working towards the achievement of his/her set goals.

Risk taking

Entrepreneurs are people who prefer taking moderate risks. Before they commit themselves and their resources, they assess the risks that are associated with a business opportunity that they have selected, and their ability to manage them, the benefits that they will realise and the challenges that they will face from the venture to be undertaken.
Entrepreneurs can earn profits as a result of taking risks and the higher the risks, the higher the profits. However, entrepreneurs will always prefer to take on those risks that they can manage.

Demand for efficiency and quality

This is the quality that enables an entrepreneur to do things that meet or surpass existing standards of excellence or improve on performance by striving to do things faster, better and cheaply. By doing this, the entrepreneur remains ahead of others, makes more profits and retains a growing market share.

2. Planning Cluster

The planning cluster is made up of the following characteristics:

Goal setting

This refers to the ability of an entrepreneur to set clear and specific goals and objectives. These goals and objectives are normally high and challenging but at the same time, realistic and can be attained, given the resources that one has got at his/her disposal.

Information seeking

This is having the urge to look for the required information in order to make an informed decision, for example, selecting, starting and successfully managing the desired business. This calls for the concerned person to personally seek and obtain information regarding customers, suppliers, competitors as well as any other relevant information that is required to enable the entrepreneur make decisions and improve knowledge on his/her business.

Systematic planning and monitoring

This is the ability to develop plans that will be used in monitoring and evaluating the progress of the business. This helps the entrepreneur to carefully monitor his/her business’ actual performance against desired performance and turn to other alternatives whenever the need arises; so as to achieve his/her set goals.

3. Power Cluster

Persuasion and networking

This is the ability to link, convince and influence other individuals, agencies and other groups in order to maintain business contacts at a high level. This will help or work for the cause of the business in a positive manner to accomplish own objectives.

Self-confidence

This refers to having a strong belief or confidence in oneself and the ability to complete a difficult task or meet a challenge.

Student Activity 4

1. Name the various characteristics of an entrepreneur and list these characteristics on a board or flip chart.

2. Draw a picture showing an entrepreneur. [I.e. the picture could be of anything (a person, a tree, etc.), but should show as many characteristics of an entrepreneur as possible.]

3. Interpret your completed picture to other people explaining the characteristics being potrayed.

6. Think about how you might demonstrate some of the entrepreneurial characteristics in school work, extra-curricular activities, or part-time job.

7. Record your personal entrepreneurial characteristics in your exercise books.

Reflection

Try to discover that you may have many of the characteristics of the entrepreneur they you potrayed in your picture(s).

Checklist: Characteristics of an entrepreneur

Self-confident	Independent
Determined	Able to make decisions
Versatile	Able to take calculated risks
Achievement-oriented	Resourceful
Energetic	Able to lead
Efficient	Goal-oriented
Impatient	Optimistic
Competitive	Responsible
Eager to learn	Responsive to change
Flexible	Perceptive
Initiative-taker	Responsive to criticism