The ever-increasing emphasis on entrepreneurship in today's world has made the term "entrepreneur" more generic than expected. Loads of people in our society today now refer to themselves as entrepreneurs, regardless of whether all they had was an idea in the shower (which remained in the shower), or a venture which started and failed in two months. This is not to discredit the efforts or ideas of such people; rather it points them in the right direction as regards the meaning and roles of a real entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurship has no singular globally accepted definition. However, I like to define it as the process of identifying business opportunities, and coordinating the assembly of all the resources needed to successfully take advantage of such opportunities. By this definition, the role of the entrepreneur then is to identify opportunities, and get the necessary resources to convert such opportunities into thriving businesses. This process requires a couple of skills, the most important of which is the ability to sell.
The art of selling is the singular most important skill any entrepreneur must possess considering how central it is to the execution of every entrepreneurial task. From the conception of an idea or identification of an opportunity to the actual running of a successful business, every stage involves the need to sell something.
Once an entrepreneur identifies an opportunity, he needs to sell the idea to others who will help him to bring the idea into life. The start-up team must be comprised of people who perfectly understands how the idea creates value for them, for others, and how they add value to the idea. If the entrepreneur is unable to sell them on the idea, he/she either has no start-up team or has an incompetent team.
Then, the entrepreneur has to sell his business model to investors. He needs to be able to convince investors about the feasibility and viability of his business model. Investors are like sharks who will rip your business model apart and ensure that it makes financial sense before they will agree to invest in your idea. Investors abound and are ready to invest only when they find good ideas with great business models. Every entrepreneur should be able to convince investors that his own proposal is worth investing in.
There are lots of other processes in between getting an investment and starting the business. You need to deal with banks, government, and suppliers, among others. All these 'stakeholders' need to be sold on one thing or the other before an entrepreneur can get the value he requires from them. As long has you desire an exchange of value, you need to sell your value proposition at every step.
Then when all is ready and business commences, the business needs to sell its products or services in order to remain in business. Sales is central to the very survival of the business. If the business doesn't sell, there is no cash inflow, without which the business becomes insolvent. When a business cannot meet its obligations as at when due, it ceases to become a business.
Sales is the most dynamic business section and has evolved the most over the years. New industries such as Multi-Level Marketing were born out of the need to improve sales. Therefore, it is important for every entrepreneur to learn this skill. Usually, what differentiates an entrepreneur from an inventor, is their ability to sell.
Entrepreneurship is not about getting the best ideas, it is about convincing people to part with value in exchange for what your idea gives in return...that is sales. Selling is a skill anyone can learn; there exists a wealth of resources for those who are willing to. Learn it, Practice it, become skilled at it; when you do that, you will become a real entrepreneur and not a wantapreneur.
NB: I am more than happy to help you become better at selling, just ask, its free! Drop a comment or send me a message on Google+, Facebook (Davies Okeowo), LinkedIn (Davies Okeowo), or Twitter (@okeowodayvies). I look forward to your message. Sell, and have fun.
The art of selling is the singular most important skill any entrepreneur must possess considering how central it is to the execution of every entrepreneurial task. From the conception of an idea or identification of an opportunity to the actual running of a successful business, every stage involves the need to sell something.
Once an entrepreneur identifies an opportunity, he needs to sell the idea to others who will help him to bring the idea into life. The start-up team must be comprised of people who perfectly understands how the idea creates value for them, for others, and how they add value to the idea. If the entrepreneur is unable to sell them on the idea, he/she either has no start-up team or has an incompetent team.
Then, the entrepreneur has to sell his business model to investors. He needs to be able to convince investors about the feasibility and viability of his business model. Investors are like sharks who will rip your business model apart and ensure that it makes financial sense before they will agree to invest in your idea. Investors abound and are ready to invest only when they find good ideas with great business models. Every entrepreneur should be able to convince investors that his own proposal is worth investing in.
There are lots of other processes in between getting an investment and starting the business. You need to deal with banks, government, and suppliers, among others. All these 'stakeholders' need to be sold on one thing or the other before an entrepreneur can get the value he requires from them. As long has you desire an exchange of value, you need to sell your value proposition at every step.
Then when all is ready and business commences, the business needs to sell its products or services in order to remain in business. Sales is central to the very survival of the business. If the business doesn't sell, there is no cash inflow, without which the business becomes insolvent. When a business cannot meet its obligations as at when due, it ceases to become a business.
Sales is the most dynamic business section and has evolved the most over the years. New industries such as Multi-Level Marketing were born out of the need to improve sales. Therefore, it is important for every entrepreneur to learn this skill. Usually, what differentiates an entrepreneur from an inventor, is their ability to sell.
Entrepreneurship is not about getting the best ideas, it is about convincing people to part with value in exchange for what your idea gives in return...that is sales. Selling is a skill anyone can learn; there exists a wealth of resources for those who are willing to. Learn it, Practice it, become skilled at it; when you do that, you will become a real entrepreneur and not a wantapreneur.
NB: I am more than happy to help you become better at selling, just ask, its free! Drop a comment or send me a message on Google+, Facebook (Davies Okeowo), LinkedIn (Davies Okeowo), or Twitter (@okeowodayvies). I look forward to your message. Sell, and have fun.
Sell or Else, Sell or be sold!
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