There are such important stages when contemplating starting a business. The “idea stage” is clearly the most seductive and quite often the one that requires the most emotional investment. All nerves are titillated – energy, passion, ego and enthusiasm. You are invincible! The force is with you and with hopefully both intellectual and financial resources, the plunge has taken place. Congratulations! You do not even mind that you have invested countless hours, days, years harvesting this great contribution to the world- sometimes without any remuneration. It is YOUR plan. This enormous effort will be rewarded by “success”-right? You ARE an entrepreneur.
Fair to say that each success is defined by oneself and by your definition you have achieved it. Congratulations! The ride is deservedly on track to be enjoyable. And then a funny thing happens; the world does not stay the same. Your company’s personality is suddenly stale. It is abruptly time to reestablish its behavior. Or factors that shake the economy occur and of no fault of your own you are thrust into survival mode. We live in an ever changing landscape. As entrepreneurs you need to be willing and more importantly, ready to change.
What you believed to be right yesterday may have negative impact on tomorrow. Do not marry your original concept. Evolution is as valid in the business cycle as that of life. We live in a time of unparalleled change. Technology, globalization, changing demographics and rising environmental awareness are creating unprecedented opportunities for creative entrepreneurs. The creative intellect that understands the demand for change and has the ability to create solutions through new ideas and innovation will thrive.
Learning how to manage ongoing operations while looking to the future is perhaps the most challenging chapter. You need the best tools, inclusive of surrounding yourself with great entrepreneurial minds. Create an “Admired Business Group” who meet over dinner or breakfast and discuss the direction of economies, business and opportunities. This was one of the best pieces of advice that I received- from a University professor who at the time was a VP at DuPont. Sometimes the principal challenge is thinking outside of your own business. This speaks to the importance of valuing “creative thinking time”. It is not a luxury but a necessity. With demand on time exasperated by mobile and e instant communications-great business leaders understand that intellectual strategic growth time is a great investment and delivers true value to their organization.
With the opportunities that this shifting world is delivering to us, things are looking good for creative entrepreneurs.
