大象传媒

How small businesses operateWhat is an entrepreneur?

There are many reasons why an individual sets up in business. For a business to be successful that person will need appropriate skills and qualities along with suitable advice and finance.

Part of BusinessBusiness in action

What is an entrepreneur?

Enterprising. Decision-making.Determination. Problem-solving.
Figure caption,
For an entrepreneur to be successful they require a range of skills and qualities

An entrepreneur is a person who starts their own business. They have the idea that is required to combine the factors of production in such a way as to make a profit.

Skills

A skill is an ability that has been developed through training or experience. Some of the skills required by an entrepreneur are:

  • problem solving 鈥 be able to overcome difficulties in order for the business to survive
  • ICT 鈥 have the necessary skills when using software to communicate or to complete professional documentation
  • motivational 鈥 the ability to get staff on board and work hard to achieve the aims of the business
  • interpersonal 鈥 the ability to deal with customers, suppliers and staff effectively
  • decision-making 鈥 to ensure the correct decisions are made to fulfil the aims of the business
  • leadership 鈥 the ability to show confidence and lead workers to achieve goals
  • organisational 鈥 the ability to organise staff and resources to achieve aims
  • communication 鈥 the ability to make instructions clear
  • finance 鈥 the ability to manage finances correctly so the business makes a profit
  • management 鈥 to ensure they can organise the staff that work for them

One young entrepreneur discusses setting up his own jam business

Qualities

A quality is used to describe the nature or personality of an individual. Some of the qualities required by an entrepreneur are:

  • enthusiasm 鈥 the ability to keep staff and customers happy
  • risk-taking 鈥 must be willing to take chances to stay ahead of the competition
  • persuasion 鈥 the ability to get others to support your idea and to purchase your product or service
  • determination 鈥 to never give up when tasks are challenging
  • confidence 鈥 the ability to inspire others to have confidence in your business
  • creative or enterprising 鈥 able to come up with an idea that will fill a gap in the market and make it different from competitors