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Characteristics of a Successful Entrepreneur Essay

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Characteristics of a Successful Entrepreneur

ABSTRACT
First, there was an interview with a successful entrepreneur. Second, there was a talk on entrepreneurship by a guest speaker, Mr. Azmi Ahmad (the CEO of Skali.com) and later, an "elevator speech" by fellow students on various issues related to entrepreneurship. This collective information and some reading on entrepreneurship journals, books and articles have brought to the idea on writing this paper, towards certain perspective, on successful entrepreneurial characteristics. This paper examines the myths associated with what it takes to be an entrepreneur, the profiles and the common characteristics among these successful entrepreneurs. INTRODUCTION
The first definition on …show more content…

ii. Anyone can start a business
Although it is true that anyone can acquire a business license and open the shop but the hardest part is surviving, sustaining and building the business. To be successful it takes focus, creativity, diligence, time and resources. iii. Entrepreneurs are their own bosses and completely independent
An entrepreneur, though independent, has to serve many masters including customers, employees, families, and those involved in social and community obligations. iv. Entrepreneurs are motivated by the quest for money
A sense of personal achievement and accomplishment, feeling in control of their own destinies, and realizing their vision and dreams are the most powerful motivators for entrepreneur. Money is viewed as a tool and way of keeping score.

PROFILE OF AN ENTREPRENEUR
David McClelland (1961), the entrepreneur is primarily motivated by an overwhelming need for achievement. He has a strong "urge to build". Bird (1992) sees entrepreneurs as Mercurial, that is, prone to insights, brainstorms, deceptions, ingeniousness and resourcefulness. They are cunning, opportunistic, creative, and unsentimental. Busenitz and Barney (1997) claim entrepreneurs are prone to overconfidence and over generalizations.
In a small business, where there is no depth of management, the leader must be there. At the end of the eight-hour day, when everyone leaves home, the entrepreneur will often continue into the

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