Think Like an Entrepreneur! Don’t be a corporate refugee.

Fri, Apr 3, 2009

Now, have I been saying this all along in most of my posts? I feel compelled to be as clear and concise as possible at this point. I am talking to so many people that are numb, disillusioned, freaked out, dazed and confused, paranoid - is my description coming through clearly - is this you? The reason I am being so dramatic is I care about people, and I know many of you have the goods to get up off the ground and dust yourself off and make things happen! Your skill sets are transferable - you need to find out how to do this!

Folks, the days of depending on an employer for years to come are over. Get it? I almost find it hilarious when candidates say to me, "Collin I want to find a job." There is no job as far as I am concerned; it is a temporary place where you are providing a service, like a consultant. This is why I titled the post, "Think like an entrepreneur." I guarantee you will be ok if you subscribe to this. If you don’t start thinking like one, I can pretty much guarantee a lot of grief will be coming your way over the next coming years. The party is over folks. There is no more time to procrastinate getting your resume together, finally doing a blog, getting your portfolio done - no more saying, ‘I will get to that tomorrow.’ You know what I am saying.

I know many talented people out there right now who are doing well, getting promoted, making big money, are in demand and happy as a clam! Why? Because they think like an entrepreneur. As I have said to many of my candidates and clients over the years, there is a clear line between why some people succeed and others struggle. Being a headhunter, I talk and interview with thousands of people. I have been in this business for 15 years and my mother, Jola, for 40! Becoming an entrepreneur will be painful and at first seem difficult, but if you stay committed you will get there and you will be glad you did! The rewards are tremendous. Being in control of your destiny is a feeling like no other!

Remember something: When you consult for a company make sure you give 100 percent, conduct yourself with integrity and loyalty, always leave on good terms, and make sure you made an impact while you were there. As I have said in other posts, if you become known as a taker and not a giver, as far as I am concerned, it will catch up with you. Jumping around from job to job will not work either - being known as just an opportunist will be a turn off to any good company.

I want to layout some hard facts - I challenge anyone to debate my thoughts on this.

FACT:

Most people have been dependent on thier employer for many years but clearly saw, over time, a decline in long-term job security.
The world is changing and changingfast!
You need to continually stay on top of things and stay aware of where the trends are going or you will find yourself displaced.
You need to stretch and get out of your comfort zone or there are going to be severe consequences.
If you don’t have the info you need to succeed, then find out - call me. ha.
You need to reinvent yourself and find where the trends are going.
You should have a Plan A, B and C.
I love this one, "If you don’t make your own decisions someone else will"!
You might need to look outside of your state to find work; this could be an option you need to face.
3 percent of the population have most of the money and 98 percent work for them - this needs to change!

I wanted you to hear this clearly! Again, I am being direct because I want to shake you up! Now lets look at what the characteristic of an entrepreneur looks like. Your success rate will change dramatically when you start thinking like one.

Below is a list of entrepreneurial characteristics:

Self-Confidence
A sense of urgency
Creative thinker
Ability to analyze where trends are going in a good or bad economy
Ability to handle stress and negative thoughts
Able to describe your plan with facts and figures, both quantitative and qualitative
You like a challenge
You are proactive, not reactive
Being healthy
Be passionate
Plan everything
Manage money wisely
Ask for the business!
The ability to pick up the phone and cold call (sorry folks, just a fact - you need to develop this skill!)
Love your customer
Become a shameless self-promoter (Hmm.. I think I know someone like that. Me! lol)
Project a positive image, don’t be a whiner - no one wants to hear it! Talk to your spouse about this or a good friend
Understand how you can leverage technology to optimize what you are doing! Very important!
Become a known expert
Create a competitive advantage
Sell benefits
Your reputation is critical
Master the art of negotiation
Know your value
Develop the ability to schmooze - focus on this skill set and master it