Now We’re All Entrepreneurs
You have to think like an entrepreneur even if you (still) have a job with a large company. Think Lehman Brothers. Think GM, Think State of California. Ugh! No job is permanent. Those who plead and beg for this strange animal called “job security” need a good welcome to the 21st Century.
Today we are all entrepreneurs. Well, we all have been for quite a while, but many didn’t realize it till they got the pink slip from their (former) employer informing them of the wonderful new opportunities that await them as an entrepreneur.
*********************************************************
Listen to a supplemental audio of this article! Get even more as I talk with you about this important concept of thinking like an entrepreneur. You can listen to it streaming or download as MP3 and listen on your favorite MP3 player. Choice is good!
Leave a comment (at bottom of this page) and let me and others know what you think. I really look forward to hearing from you. Thanx! Terry
Right-Click to Download Audio Supplement for We Are All Entrepreneurs Now
*********************************************************
There is no security in any job. There is only security in your ability to embrace and deploy market-valuable skills so that you solve problems others have. The more you can solve problems others have and satisfy their wants and needs, the more “security” you’ll have.
This is the way nature works. The only way you get ahead is by providing value for others to meet their needs. Always think in terms of what you can do for the other person.
This means that we all need to think like entrepreneurs. If this type of thinking begins to take place with more and more people I believe our world will be a better place.
An entrepreneur will change practices quickly. Success is realized when you can adapt to the ever-changing needs of the marketplace. No job is secure because the marketplace keeps adjusting. If you try to continue making buggy whips when the horseless carriage comes along your “job security” will fade quickly.
Yet, in the midst of that change, you can do better by thinking of your skills and strengths. Let’s go back to my mythical buggy whip manufacturer. If you made buggy whips at the dawn of the horseless carriage era you knew leather. You knew how to mold that leather and make solid, long-lasting whips to motivate horses.
In an age of cars, that buggy whip won’t be as necessary. However, you’ve learned how to work with leather and they use even more leather in cars (seats, steering wheels, dashboards, etc.). By thinking of yourself as a professional in leather, and more than just a “buggy whip maker” you expand your market and would have an ample amount of work head. Provide different leather products. Don’t think of yourself in the “buggy whip” industry but in the “providing leather in many ways for customers” industry.
Think like an entrepreneur. Be on the lookout for new trends. We are in a decisive shift today. The world is not like it was — even last year. This is creating a lot of opportunities for those who can change their thinking, adapt and come up with market-valuable skills.
Yes, you will have to learn some new skills. You’ll have to go back to “school” to improve. It might not be a formal education (although I’m a huge fan of that) but it will require more reading, online courses, audio training, hiring coaches, etc. etc. Do whatever it takes to learn new skills and then provide value in the marketplace.
Remember that an entrepreneur also has to develop “rhinoceros skin.” I guarantee you will be turned down by potential customers. I guarantee you will have set-backs. Learn from these disappointments. Write down your lessons in your personal journal. Then adapt, change and get back in the game.
This is how successful people through the centuries overcame problems and the changes they faced. You can do it also. In fact, many people say they became much better and got a much better job after a disappointment or temporary setback.
As you learn to think like an entrepreneur, you will grab those skills needed and adjust. Remember, there is no “job security” today. Actually, there never has been. You have to create value each day for the marketplace to keep your job. This means learning new skills continually, helping others and serving them and becoming more business-astute all the time. Relationship Marketing is all about connecting with others and providing value.
Now is the time to aggressively embrace new opportunities and offers. This is what being an entrepreneur is about.
Copyright © 2009, Terry Brock and Achievement Systems, Inc. Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and professional speaker who helps businesses generate profitable results. He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com. Join the Twitter adventure with Terry through his Twitter address: TerryBrock.
November 28th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
It is nice to now finally locate a web site where the blogger knows really well about his subject.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Whether youre working for an employer or not, you should also incorporate because there is lack of employment security and because technology will allow people to work also as independents based on your availabilty and
ability to get a project done. This can provide additional income or help you if you do become unemployed. The key as Terry says is being entrepreneurial and using learning as a catalyst for positive change. Knowledge is shared more
widely because of technology and those willing to adapt by learning new things and applying this knowledge towards helping someone complete a project will be more valuable. This doesnt mean to quit your day job. It does mean to setup your own independent corporation to have options. This is similar to diversification/adapting to risk. Yes, it also means you will have to learn more about running a business instead of doing one specific skillset. However, learning (all types) and technology – entrepreneurship will help you so we dont repeat the steps that got us into this economy by creating a new economy. We all need better ideas, better services, better products, and better ways of doing things to benefit through what I call the adaptibility
link. Terry says true words to get us into a better mindset and new economy. You are the driver, therefore drive. Remember, help others to complete their projects or create projects others can help you with.
It’s becoming demand and supply versus supply and demand because access to knowledge is being openly shared. Therefore, because of the openness and use of technology to attain quality learning, within a few hours one can go from being unlearned on a subject to being very learned. Taking this new talent, new skills, and existing skills by adapting through application to get work and
get work done to serve others will benefit all of us.
Mindset, Mood, Motivation Expert
Author of Winning at Entrepreneurship
February 20th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
So true, Terry! And this kind of appreqroach uires thoughtful re-branding of yourself on the job – no matter where you work.
Sit back and consider the state of your company now… How has your personal brand Audience changed? What are the new Needs (both functional and emotional) that are emerging? How can you best respond to those Needs with your existing talents and skills? Or, what talents and skills do you have to develop to meet these new Needs? The people who take the time to sit back and think through what is really happening in today’s environment – the ones who can clarify these changes taking place and adapt the most quickly – will definitely come out on top.
Author of the personal branding book series “How YOU(tm) Are Like Shampoo”
February 20th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Six months ago, my two biggest clients were a heater manufacturer & a recruitment consultant. Today, my whole state is being ravaged by bushfires & we’re in a recession. I’m not writing ANY heater brochures or job ads.
I’ve had to adapt or starve. Luckily, I’ve just scored a new gig as a paid blogger for a large business software firm. If I hadn’t used my quiet time to learn new Web 2.0 applications, this golden opportunity would never have come my way.
In my second blog post, I plan to tell my audience how pivotal Terry Brock’s information & advice have been to my continued prosperity. Nice work, Mate!
February 20th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Terry,
You are right on the money. If we can’t trust corporate America, then it is time for us to trust our own experience, wisdom and ability to deal with the loss of a job.
Having become a “corporate refugee” twice last year, I realized that I couldn’t live on the diminute unemployment compensation that our fine State offers.
I never really saw the “pink slip” as I only got a call and an email outside of work hours telling me the company was shutting down, but opportunity came in the form of a site called LinkedIn, where I updated my information and used the “status update” feature as my new self-promotion tool.
Being well connected on this social network, I started updating my status with offers to help as a marketing consultant and after a couple of weeks without results, BAM! Inquiries started coming in and I now manage marketing campaigns for a few clients–and looking forward to getting more.
It is said that you never know what you have until you lose it. I say you never know what you have until you lose your job and see the opportunity clearly. Without having to get up and work for “the man” you can work for yourself and apply the knowledge of your experience to help those who can’t afford you full time–yet still need help in your functional specialty.
Consulting is sharing your knowledge and getting paid for it. With so many different tools available for one to manage his or her own business from a laptop computer, we have every chance to succeed and have more control over our professional lives.
Cheers,
ANDRES