The DNA of Real Entrepreneurs

The word "entrepreneur" has become a cliche. Almost everyone wants to become one. We crave the independence that comes with being one. Freedom to changes things, to do what we love, to call the shots, freedom to get rich early on in life. There’s the status bit too. But who really is an entrepreneur and what truly separates the real entrepreneurs from the wannabes or what makes some successful where others fail. 

Real entrepreneurs possess certain attributes in their DNA:

-     - Curiousity addiction

Real entrepreneurs have pipes that supply information they need to make the right decisions. Some are born this way, others develop it. Having the right network of people, following your industry news and trends, asking  questions to determine the human factor behind everything you see are some of the ways to stay informed. If you didn't know of a coming change in government policy or a move by a competitor that may affect your business you cant possibly react well. If you don’t know about an opportunity, you cant possibly seize it. 

-     - Money behind ideas

I once share this point with a colleague and he added: “...and makes money from them”. So true but not in all cases. Several projects and product ideas will fail but real entreprenuers never stop taking risks and never give up trying. The beauty is that failure prepares people for success better than success itself. If you’re afraid to invest your money because you’ve lost some before maybe you’re not cut out for this. 

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      - Incredible boldness and self-assurance

Real entreprenuers are recklessly bold. The make huge demands and believe they can get anything they want. With this kind of mindset and determination they are most times able to bend the will of others in their favour seeming larger than life in the process. They’re never afraid to get a No.

-     - Create non-existing opportunities

Look around entrepreneurs and you’ll find things that came to life as a result of their effort. They create products, services and businesses from both favorable and difficult situations. Some get wealthy by latching onto an opportunity during a war others by redefining an existing industry. No resource is left untapped from money to relationships to skills. 

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-     - Know how to delay gratification

With a laser focus on earning revenues and spending prudently, real entrepreneurs know how to do it right. Most of the CEOs of successful technology companies have been known to be highly disciplined with resources. It takes a combination of discipline, sacrifice and purposefulness to create a profitable company. Wannabe entrepreneurs squander their little revenues in business and this easily sets them on a path to bankruptcy.

There you have it! Are you a real entrepreneur or a wannabe?

The disruptive power of Mobile & the Internet

Despite all that has taken place in the last few years some people still see mobile and the internet as merely tools for communication or learning. There is a need to step aside to get a good grasp of the influence these platforms have had and then imagine what will happen in the next 10 years.

What mobile and the internet offer is a constantly networked world. This has in no small way redefined our lives. The change this combination provides is tremendous; something every forward thinker must pay attention to. Here are some insights:

Government Changer

We all know how social networking tools like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube were at the middle of the arab revolution. The photo below shows 4 former Heads of State (of Tunisia, Yemen, Libya & Egypt) who were in power as at January 1st 2011 but where ousted before the year ran out with. This shows how mobile and the internet can remove barriers and promote unity for a common cause.

Wealth Creator

With all the wealth that Aliko Dangote (Africa’s richest man) has built from several industries ranging from sugar to cement and more he yet ranks lower than a certain 27 year old on the Forbes richest list who has built only one thing, Facebook. This young man has also made some of his friends internet billionaires after only 7 years ago. No other platform or industry provides the opportunity to amass wealth on such a scale and so quickly too.

Industry Reformer 

Amazon changed the way the world buys books. Their reward? Close to a hundred billion dollars in valuation. Today, it offers books in electronic format via its Kindle device eating deep into revenues from printed books. Companies like Amazon, Salesforce, Expedia, Netflix have disrupted several industries changing the way books, flight booking, movies are bought and consumed. 

Change Agent

Not not only billion dollar companies are using mobile and internet to do great and exciting stuff even individuals like Sal’ Khan have used the internet to affect millions of lives without buying office space or hiring people.  Sal’s Khan Academy is currently transforming the way students learn using the power of mobile and internet and what started as a passion has turned into a world renowed institution.

The world of mobile and internet creates wealth and impact changes by breaking barriers. The power of a mobile networked world is BIG and is only going to get BIGGER! Tap into it.