I recently wrote an article on what the top three best habits of Successful Entreprenours based on an article by Bill Glazer of GKIC. You can find the article at
The Three Common Habits Of Success Enterprenours
While the article is great – here is a quick summary….
Bill Glazer of GKIC says:
- Successful Entrepreneurs Read A Lot Of Books.
- Successful Entrepreneurs Continue To Work On Their Education
- Successful Entrepreneurs Create SMART Goals for themselves.
(SMART Goals are defined as Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time Bound)
I say:
- Having clear and identifiable goals.
- Consistent and meaningful action towards some goal each and every day.
- Forming and maintaining a Positive Mental Attitude to each other and everything in your life.
The following is what you have to say!
What is interesting is the range of the different habits that people have. And the trouble that the network had keeping to the 3 limit. On the other hand, lots of entrepreneurs, so they couldn’t keep into the three sided box I created. (Get the joke? 3 and box?)
Click here to find the original question and answer on LinkedIn Answers
The Success Stories series provides case studies from people about what it takes to become successful. Each of us is unique in our goals and aspirations, but we have things in common with others. Through the 10,000,000 people in my LinkedIn network we can share ideas and solutions that will help you achieve your goals. While I don’t always agree with all the comments I receive, I include all that are presented coherently and could help at least one of my readers.
The questions have been slightly edited for grammar and presentation. Comments and Kudos, while always appreciated, have been edited out.
Enterpreneur,Managing Director, Island Resort Pte Ltd,
I think the most important thing is the:
· Courage to take risk which mostly cant
· Ability to do much bigger than resources are available
· LUCK factor-which no one has seen perhaps
Whole life we studies-it helps somewhat-but in majority of cases-do we implement what we study?
The problem is that we study too much and even forgot to do something.
We all want to be successful- but how many of us has courage to do something- to leave our job -probably 10% only.
Just keep attending conferences, networking and so forth.
Author, Artist, Director of Business Development (byorum@netzero.net)
I see that your question says HABITS and not traits or characteristics. So here’s my observation:
1) They seek out new opportunities and capitalize on the best ones
2) They create, maintain, and expand their network of relationships and resources
3) They practice action while adapting to changing conditions
I suppose you could sum it all up in the fact that they challenge themselves and others in a way that produces results and success (whatever they have defined that to be). The key is that they practice these things constantly, they aren’t just “that way” or “always lucky”. It is an integral part of your question. They form HABITS which takes practice and determination and yes, failure. Much of success is paved on a road of failure. But the spirit to learn from mistakes and continue on is what makes the person successful in their goals.
Anybody can do that if they set their mind to it. It starts with defining a goal, even a simple one… and then creating a set of habits that eventually attain that goal.
VP Business Development – Executive Life, Disability and Long Term Care Insurance
· Zealous faith in self, mission, solution. This creates several initial positive by products (down the road without care and wisdom these can become hindrances). First, the courage to push through initial resistance, barriers, failures, missteps, etc. Second, in conversations with anyone the confidence is infectious – clients, prospects, investors, employees, etc. The near total faith an entrepreneur has inspires prospects. Finally, the initial efforts are almost always purchased by buyers who believe in the package of the person and the offer. Without both, the endeavours fails initially.
· Constant investment in their network ensuring their connections and relationships are profiting personally from association with the entrepreneur. One of the single most challenging barriers to entry for most folks is making personal connections and introductions to potential early adopters. Successful entrepreneurs can leverage a healthy and mutually beneficial network to generate high level conversations with persons of interest and power to make decisions. Without the personal intro, early efforts are *very* difficult to get past initial proof stages. Before funding becomes substantial, proof is needed. Before proof is possible, someone takes a personal risk on the product/person package. This only happens when a relationship is there to validate the person and vouch for the opportunity.
· Entrepreneurship as a habit. Serial entrepreneurs like
President & Executive Advisor, Resonance
I work with entrepreneurs all the time and the defining characteristic they all share would be a willingness to aggressively pursue risk. Successful entrepreneurs will often be some of the most educated (perhaps not formally) people, willing to listen to everyone and understand that timing is crucial in business.
Many are often applauded for ‘taking a chance’ at least once in their lives however many don’t perceive it that way at all. They understood the inherent risk, educated themselves as much as they could and made a decision which generally resulted that the opportunity outweighed the risk.
Independent Internet Professional
When I was in college I wanted some extra money so for about a year I made jewelry using crystals and semi precious beads – I found a wholesaler in nyc for the swarovski crystals and went to the diamond center for the stones – I made very delicate feminine objects – besides making money I learned some valuable things: most of my customers were repeat customers and though at the time the delicate look was not in mainstream fashion within two or three years the same look was everywhere and in every price range – now I know no one copied my ideas, but what was significant was my thinking had been ahead of the curve.
I am always scanning information and relating the information to my venture and I save the links or write a short essay on my observations in a private blog – sometimes I read it over to see the patterns as they developed – when I have the opportunity without being invasive I ask the questions I have on my mind – people are almost always extremely generous with their expertise sometimes stunningly so.
Highly Experienced Investment Analyst, Business Advisor & Professional Speaker
I just recently interviewed several people on this very question (mainly Australian VC’s). There are more than 3 here but you can see the traits and habits that lead to success.
Successful entrepreneurs:
- Strong self-belief & persistence (one founder had to visit 49 VC’s before finding one that would back him)
- They listen and learn (bad one’s don’t listen); Good ones know what htey don’t know and openly admit it. Good ones are always learning
- They are good at building teams and recruiting ‘A’ caliber people
- They spend a lot of time talking to customers and potential customers to really understand their world and their needs
- They talk and network with people who have done it before!
- They are very good communicators and work at it
- They are rational risk takers
- They are creative
Interestingly, not all entrepreneurs make great leaders. Sometimes they have to hand over the reins and that is again where points 2 and 3 really come in.
Watch out for a book I am co-authoring on this subject in early 2009/late 2008 (
For more ideas on business, money, investment and economics see my blogs:
Joseph Templin, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CAP
Head Geek, Unique Minds Consulting Group, LLC
The ability to completely ignore the world as it is, and instead see it as it could be.
[ZT - While not three - I think is this a great trait! However, we are called dreamers when we fail and visionaries when we succeed.]
Strategy, Operations, Rapid Business Growth, Sales & Marketing, Client Service, Team Builder/Coach, Consulting
I have been around entrepreneurs, both successful and otherwise, all my life. From my perspective, three habits include the following:
· Incredible focus
The successful ones always know what they want and keep a laser focus on it at all times until it is obtained. The successful ones never quit. They keep trying different angles and approaches until they succeed. The most successful entrepreneurs I’ve seen will drive their employees absolutely nuts over one or two items. But it’s usually those items that are the most critical to the business. It takes relentless focus to not get distracted by the myriad of items that come at an entrepreneur.
· Take risks
Calculated or not. The great ones often practice fire-ready-aim at the outset. If they didn’t many would never even begin. Dropping out of school, quiting your job – those are huge risks but ones that get an entrepreneur committed and invested.
· Practice self-discipline
This is most valuable after the initial stage. The great ones get the enterprise going by taking enormous risks and make huge investments of time, energy and money. The most successful I’ve seen are the ones who also keep perspective and know when to switch gears to shift from entrepreneur to business leader. The biggest mistakes I’ve witnessed are those entrepreneurs who create a great business, it grows quick and they forget, or fail, to manage the growth successfully or create an exit strategy to persue another opportunity.
Overall though, I’m a strong proponent of Focus… For a peek at more of my thoughts visit…
http://therossnetwork.blogspot.com/2008/03/focus-is-power.html
Information Technology and Services Consultant and Professional
To sum up, from my own experience, having observed diverse entrepreneurs in 3 continents over the past 30+ years:
1. Entrepreneurs “think outside the box”
2. They direct all streams of their lives towards their vision; and this, rightly or wrongly, may entail distributing business cards while on vacation, social gatherings or in houses of worship
3. Realising that every human being may be considered a potential
client, unless proven otherwise
President & CEO, MASS Communications
Being able to take a risk for all of the right reasons. Knowing when to ask for help and always working to stay of the path of your goals. A great work ethic and an ability to always go above and beyond doesn’t hurt either.
GM – BD, Tally Solutions
-Maturity
-Ability to learn
-Passion
Experienced Management Consultant, MBA.
1) OPPORTUNISM. Successful entrepreneurs can recognize an opportunity, when they see it. They can distinguish between what is possible, and what is not. For instance, millions of Americans travel to
2) FOCUS. They are persistent, focused, never give up. To see an opportunity is just the start of a long journey. A successful business requires thousands of decisions, initiatives, activities.
3) IMPROVEMENT. They continue to improve the business, to offer a better service, to more customers. They never rest on their laurels.
Trainer & Executive NLP Coach, PowerImage / MISCO
The three most important habits successful entrepreneurs have are:
1. Clear and intriguing goals. Its not enough to have SMART goals, but goals that really get you excited when you think of the possibility of achieving them!
2. Getting their hands dirty… not just planning but actually doing and achieving things, being active rather than passive in their pursuit of success
3. Great networking skills. Spending time talking to the right people, picking their brains as well as having contacts who will open doors.
PM at Atharva
Many a times an Entrepreneur is misunderstood as meaning a businessman/woman. The dictionary meaning of Entrepreneur is “Someone who organizes a business venture and assumes the risk for it”. So he is the one who takes risks for his (ad)venture.
For me an entrepreneur has following common habits:
1. Be visionary as well as a missionary.
He has a habit to forecast an opportunity and once accepted pursue his belief like a
mission.
2. He is a habitual “Never say die” fighter.
3. He has a habit of taking (calculated) risk and has a “Go getter” attitude and a zeal to be Creative.
There could be many habits one can jot down further like leadership, appreciation, manipulation etc. But these are on top of my list.
Education Management, Talents Engagement & Breakthrough Coaching
I see millionaires as people who:
1. See each person as Unique
2. Know that everyone makes the best choice available to them at the time they make it.
3. Understood that Feedback nourishes. Failure saps energy
4. Know that Intention & Behavior are different.
5. Aware of the meaning of the communication is its Response.
6. Focus on Generate New, Don’t Repair Old.
7. Appreciate people have all they need to change
8. Aware that Influence and Control are gain through Flexibility.
9. Know that Resistance indicates a lack of Rapport.
10. Know that Perception is Reality – You are in charge of your mind and responsible for your results.
Do you live your life with all these beliefs?
[ZT - There are three types of people in world - those that can count and those that can't.]
Strategy researcher randorinho@gmail.com
1) They have their own brain opened… They drink knowledge from everywhere to improve their skills. They manage their company has they manage their life’s. I know a few success cases…
2) They have a high education level. Not in academics, but in life stuff. They respect everyone and they achieve the respect from others, just by saying a few words.
3) They are not afraid of tomorrow’s day because they know they will find a way to succeed. They are just managing their skills.
4) They are always trying to find a way to improve, improve, improve…
Top Strategy Networkers LinkedIn Group – http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/80341/2D8A144E762E
Manager- Sales Training at Reliance Capital Asset Management Company (Reliance Mutual Fund)
The first & the most important habit of successful entrepreneurs is that they realise that they are not going to be able to become successful alone. Thus they hire the right people. As I read somewhere getting the right people on the bus is the first steeping stone to success. Once you have the right people then comes the second most important quality that most entrepreneurs realise very soon, i.e., the ability to delegate authority. They are ready to delegate in order to realise the complete potential of the person. Also the fact that they have hired them, great entrepreneurs are always ready to give their people a free hand in terms of goal achievements. They are always ready to allow their people to take decisions in order to move ahead.
The third most important quality that is important in order to be successful is luck. All the great people in this world whether they are in business, politics or some social organization or also working in any firm would attribute their success to luck. Without luck no amount of hard work would bear fruit. That does not mean that luck takes away from doing all the hard work but what it means is that luck is what separates the great success stories with the success stories.
Professor of Knowledge and Creativity Management at
1) They have one sentence of 15 words or less that makes nearly everyone hearing it excited about buying the product it describes
2) They go into the venture process with initial colleagues, funders, ideas, enthusiasms, and skills, and they come out, every 6 months, with entirely different ones, until they get some combination of them all that “clicks” with others enough to constitute a viable commercial market for something–most entrepreneurs are much too stubborn about particulars and much too flexible about trying hard forever and never giving up
3) They have absolutely no shame or pride–they collect whatever is needed from whomever has it, at whatever psychic, or social cost it takes–they only care to CHANGE THE WORLD NOW and everything else–pride, lifestyle, money, fame, credit, respect, friends–is expendable on route to CHANGING THE WORLD NOW.
The above are 3 of 21 traits found in Harvard Research 30 years ago by an obscure grad student who the faculty did not like very much–ahead of his time.
IT Professional with proven success in User Experience, Innovation & Knowledge Management
Three GREAT Common Habits Of Successful Entrepreneurs
1. Visionary Leadership
2. Business Acumen
3. Community Involvement
I believe all successful entrepreneurs possess or cultivate many habits but to distill / drill down to three of them is a little difficult. Having said that to come up with three GREAT habits and that too those of the successful entrepreneurs is something that is too good to do and an opportunity to be not missed.
I am glad to share these, what I believe are the three GREAT habits of the entrepreneurs who are successful. Most likely they are very closely linked to each other and often their boundaries are not clearly drawn.
1. VISIONARY LEADERSHIP
Successful entrepreneurs are not just good leaders, but they are Visionary Leaders. They have the ability to lead people / teams / organizations towards a goal that is worthy; they have the ability to inspire people to work towards that cause that is greater and better than the independent individual and which cannot be achieved by a person alone. Also, they are successful in creating enthusiasm / excitement / sharing passion about that – they lead by example, they themselves are passionate about such a cause and working towards that particular endeavor. Needless to say, they also appreciate and reward people appropriately for such effort and possess extra-ordinary communication & presentation skills.
2. BUSINESS ACUMEN
Successful entrepreneurs possess, if not, they cultivate this – the Business Acumen. They are excellent in identifying the potential opportunities, taking calculated risks and pursuing those initiatives which are good for the business growth. Also, though they may not possess the necessary technical / relevant expertise, they possess or if not, they cultivate the business acumen to understand the nuances of such an endeavor and how it benefits or aids the growth of the enterprise. A classic example is Lou Gerstner of IBM – though he was not a typical technical guy or a IT professional he knew and, may be, he learnt so much about the business and the industry and finally he was successful in reviving IBM and making it a market leader, even though his background and previous experience was with McKinsey and American Express.
3. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Successful entrepreneurs understand that its not just about the business or the industry or their own enterprise. They believe in leaving behind a legacy and they contribute their best towards community related effort – they do their bit towards enabling and empowering the people and society to live better and live healthier and live happier.
As the saying goes, what goes around, comes around – because successful entrepreneurs live by these three great habits, they are able to live a better life and they are also able to help, enable, empower their employees and contribute good stuff atleast to an extent for everybody else involved in their business pursuit (suppliers, vendors, contractors, legal, federal, etc.) in some way or the other.
Seiser Institute of IdentityTherapy
· Know what they want.
· Know what they have to do to get it.
· Do it.
Owner, EBM Group
1. Understanding of Personal Risk Tolerance.
2. Vision – Work on one’s ability to see opportunity that others may not.
3. Relentlessness – Don’t be afraid of failure.
Market Analyst at Burkhardt Research Services
We surveyed over 100 self-employed persons last year. For reference to our report on this, see: http://www.burkhardtresearch.com/reports.html .
Among the results to our survey are the following tidbits:
-Self-employed persons are often self-directed and, in various ways, report a desire to manage their own activities (i.e., wanting to be the boss). This could be identified as a leadership trait (the flip-side argument could be that such people “don’t play well as part of a team”???).
-More than half of self-employed persons report being able to accept fluctuations in business levels. This would tie-in to the discussion here about taking risk (a person who can’t accept ups and downs in revenue would be less inclined to take risk).
-A high percentage of self-employed persons who remain self-employed also report “liking to make things happen.”
-Self-employed persons are also active networkers. Only 43.9% of our respondents read “how-to business books” (mentioned here in this LinkedIn discussion), while 59.1% tap into informal networks and 56.1% participate in industry or trade associations. More than 90% report ongoing use of learning and/or networking resources, even after years of self-employment experience.
Creative Facilitator, Nieuwe Muze
What came to my mind was another question: what’s successful? So I’ll answer that first. I believe in “duurzaamheid”. In Dutch, it means both sustainability and durability, and I mean both. So successful means OK for people, planet, profit on the short and long term. Besides that, I believe in personal benefit for the entrepreneur: what good is it to run a thriving business and not be happy?
Well, and then my answers will overlap with the others I suppose.
1. I think the really successful entrepreneurs are willing to learn, if necessary by making big mistakes. They have an open mind and are in a way modest in their beliefs.
2. Another thing is that they’re most of the times people with some experience in life, they know what’s important to them and what’s not and they make sure to give enough attention to what they think important, whether it be their family, yoga, enough sleep at night or the happiness of their employees.
I don’t remember the book, but someone once looked into the characteristics of a lot of famous geniuses. Something they had in common was misfortune and a feeling of not belonging. They were in a way handicapped (Henri de Toulouse Lautrec), fugitive or otherwise belonging to a minority. An unequal share of the winners of the Nobel Prize is Jewish, if I remember well. (OK, also an unequal share is man, but that’s another discussion.) From misfortune and having to define ones own identity stems creativity stems genius. (Or insanity, but they’re pretty close to one another, defined by the circumstances.)
3. And what’s left over and also necessary is something of a focus, of a vision, of an obstinacy. Bite and don’t let go, that kind of thing. Being an entrepreneur isn’t always easy or fun, successful entrepreneurs are willing to overcome that because they believe they’re doing what’s right, to a certain extent no matter what their friends and family are saying.
Now, I’m starting my own business. I’ve had my share of misfortune, am pretty intelligent, obstinate enough and willing to learn, so I’m my own test case. You could check in a year or two how far I got!
[ZT - Please let us know!]
Owner, The Baby Boomer Entrepreneur
While researching my forthcoming book The Baby Boomer Entrepreneur, I’ve had a chance to talk to many successful entrepreneurs and I’ve noticed a few common habits.
1. Audacity. Now some may say that’s a trait not a habit but I disagree. Audacity doesn’t come naturally to everyone. However, all successful entrepreneurs have to be willing to take a chance and do something outside their comfort zone. Less successful entrepreneurs will give into the fear or the “I can’t do that” side of their personality. Successful entrepreneurs hear those same fears in their head but choose to ignore them.
2. Persistence. Successful entrepreneurs keep going, even when things aren’t going well. If they fall flat on their face they pick themselves up and keep going. This is probably why so many “self-made” millionaires have gone bankrupt several times before making it big. They don’t let one – or many – failures stop them.
3. Asking for help. Truly successful entrepreneurs know when to get help – from an assistant, an accountant or a coach. They don’t try to do it all themselves. At some point they realize they have to let go and let others help them along the way. And they are also good at giving help to others.
- http://thebabyboomerentrepreneur.com/70/bring-a-little-audacity-to-your-bus…
- http://thebabyboomerentrepreneur.com/94/why-i-need-to-fail-more/
JR Fent [LION] jrfent AT gmail.com
Senior Technical Recruiter
1. Courage: Fear stops more people than walls and barbed wire.
2. Balancing Formal/Informal: An entrepreneur has to balance how formal the company is structured. Is he running a firm that is so structured that it is inflexible and can’t bend to meet demands? (I see this out of new entrepreneurs that came out of corporate
3. Intelligence: Willing to make sure that someone needs a ‘new wheel’ before trying to re-invent it. I’ve seen many businesses started on a premise that was not thought out enough and customers did not beat down their door for their new product or service.
author-Prepare to Be a Teen Millionaire, writer, brain for hire, magazine editor, script writer
This question is the entire premise the company I’m working with, Millionaire Blueprints. I am specifically concerned with teen entrepreneurs because I am senior editor of Millionaire Blueprints Teen, and co-authored a book, Prepare to Be a Teen Millionaire. To say that I have studied, researched and am now an “expert” on the markings of an entrepreneur is fair.
There are clearly more than three things that identify a great entrepreneur, but I will answer for the teen sector… as that is my passion.
• Identify mentors (you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, find someone that has done something similar. they will help guide you and you can miss some errors.
• use your network (teens can get a message out faster than any one on the planet. they are tech savvy, they communicate constantly, and they have access to a huge number of people every day that have a vested interest in their success-they can have bragging right to knowing someone in their community that did something and will market the heck out of you, “Yeah, I go to school with the guy that ….”
• Start now, don’t wait for everything to be perfect – Teen entrepreneurs that have encountered great success are universally “go-for-it” people. they dont wait until all of the kinks are worked out. they aren’t afraid to tell people about their product, they realize that this is the time.
Owner, Con-Yet Incorporated
Three great common habits of entrepreneurs:
1. Network, network, network
2. Research your market, ask a lot of questions, and know your customer
3. Listen to your customers and peers a LOT. The truth may hurt but it may save your business.
Blog: http://giselleconyette.typepad.com/
Director of Commercial Risk Management at MGE UPS SYSTEMS, Inc.
The three defining characteristics of the entrepreneurs I have known and worked with were:
1. A willingness to embrace risk.
2. A high level of self discipline.
3. The ability and willingness to expect / demand the best work from everyone they interact with including vendors, employees, independent contractors, and service providers.
Owner, Weisman Success Resources, Inc. and Professional Training & Coaching Consultant
I believe the three best habits of successful entrepreneurs are:
1) Focus
2) Specific communication with themselves and others
3) Ability to communicate in a way that makes others feel important
Here’s why I believe these are the most important characteristics and habits of successful entrepreneurs and what I teach to my business coaching and consulting clients:
Focus
As technological changes continue to whiz into and out of our world faster than we cann blink, business operators are pulled in more directions than ever. Distractions are at at ALL-TIME high, few people know how to eliminate the unwanted distractions that sap our time and energy and prevent us from effectively using our time.
At my website, www.WeismanSuccessResources.com you can take a free FOCUS assessment to grade your present FOCUS level, 25 simple questions where you can grade yourself 1-5 on the 25 most important areas that create or prevent focus. When you do that you will also receive access to a free product of mine, the Goal Achievement System (a $49 value).
The MOST successful people in the world focus and focus only on ‘what’s most important’ to them and their business. Few people even identify ‘what’s most important to them, and if that’s the case they will never obtain the focus to succeed.
Specific Communication
As Zig Ziglar said you are either a “wandering generic or a meaningful specific.” A lack of specificity is killing our society and creating negative relationships and low self-esteem in our culture.
Non-specific communication with ourselves, and other’s, keeps us from being effective and successful because non-specficity can not and will never lead to success. As the old saying goes, if you don’t know specifically where you are going any road can take you there.
Non-specific communication creates fear, self-doubt and uncertainty and is a killer of success and creates a downward spiral.
Ability to Communicate
Bill Clinton, regardless of what you think of him when he was president, became President of the
Too many of our connections are superficial. When we meet someone we are instantly judging them and sizing them up as to what we can get from them, and if we don’t sense we can get anything from them, we are looking over their shoulder to the next prey.
We need to change this approach around 180 degrees and connect with everyone on a level where by we look to provide value to the other person as quickly as possible so that we show them we care and want to help them. By helping them first and providing value upfront without the expectation of getting anytihng in return, we connect at a deep level and engage the law of reciprocation.
Those are the three most important strategies and habits of the most successful people in the world.
To get your free F.O.C.U.S. assessment and see how your score on my 125-point F.O.C.U.S. scale visit – www.WeismanSuccessResources.com and to learn the 5-Step F.O.C.U.S. formula and the 3% F.O.C.U.S. Solution to using your time more effectively go to:
Founder & President, C. Payne Consulting & Training, LLC, Consultant, Coach, Speaker, Author, Mylink500.com
As a new entrepreneur and a success coach, I believe there are numerous habits necessary for a successful entrepreneur. Since you asked for three, I will limit my response to three. Below are the three habits of successful entrepreneurs I wish to contribute to your success stories.
Believe in yourself. As a child, I was not allowed to use the words, “I can’t.” This experience has always stayed with me, and as such, I have always believed that I could do anything I put my mind to as long as I backed it up with hard work. I believe it is critical for an entrepreneur to have the confidence and to believe in himself/herself for success. After all, if you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else. There will be enough people in this world telling you that you cant do it, don’t be one of them.
Positive mindset. As an entrepreneur, you must have the appropriate mindset to take risks, rejection and failure, and through it all, continue to press forward in the most challenging of times. A successful entrepreneur must continue to be upbeat and positive, because the life of an entrepreneur is not easy. Being an entrepreneur takes dedication and commitment, and at times, you will find yourself not getting any sleep. Prior to a speaking engagement a few months ago, I did not get any sleep; however, I went to my speaking engagement upbeat and positive and no one was the wiser.
Be grateful. Whether you have one or 1000 clients; be grateful for those that you do have. Always ensure that your clients and all those you interact with know how much they are appreciated. You just never know who you may come into contact with that will change your life. Therefore, be grateful, gracious and kind at all times. It was my kindness and appreciation of those who I came into contact with that has afforded me many great opportunities that I never expected or anticipated. Although this is personality because of my upbringing, it is important to remember the power of kindness and appreciation. I think it’s a great habit for a successful entrepreneur.
Owner, SIRGE CONGLOMERATE and Music Consultant
1. Focus and BE Your Own Cheerleader
By this I mean to do most of any ideas [which may be "out of the box" from "9to5'ers"] you need to be your OWN cheerleader. Many times you will come across naysayers and people telling you you’re wasting your time as you go through the challenges [good and bad] of being an entrepreneur. Therefore, I first say…champion your own efforts until [and maybe not even stop there] ’til others follow suit as in “edification” !
2. Writing Down Your Plans
How can you possibly believe you will accomplish tasks or your goals unless you jot them down? There will be so many ideas you come up with today and tomorrow that you WILL kick yourself for the ones you let slip your mind when you had the chance to either scribble them down OR record them in a handheld recorder. After this, remember….”there is NO Plan-B”. If Plan-A doesn’t work, then implement Plan-A sub1, sub2, etc. Many of those people who have a “backup plan to fall back on” are actually planning to fall back. If you maintain that THIS HAS TO WORK, you WILL keep a positive look on things and continuously modify your plans. No plan is the final draft….keep modifying ’til you get your reward !
3. Keep It Movin’
Here is where I had to learn this lesson over time. There are those of us that will either slow down OR stop to revel in our latest achievement OR have a negative impasse effect our overall continued progress. No matter what happens [good or bad], make sure to never stop. Once you stop, that is the only “failure”…unless you really believe you wish to no longer have the goal as a “goal”. There’s nothing wrong with falling or stumbling. There’s nothing wrong as well with “patting yourself on the back”. But take heed, the longer you take to PAUSE when something positive or negative happens…the quicker the world is paasing you by. Time waits for NO Man….so keep it movin’ !
These are the basics, but very easy to implement into everyone’s agenda no matter how fortunate OR “behind the 8-ball” your particular life may be.
Certified Life Coach
Habit 3 – They live purposefully – It has been mentioned that they set goals, and that is important, but beyond that they have a deep understanding of their purpose. They know why they are doing what they are doing and this allows them to keep their eye on the ball at all times.
President and CTO at Novell Canada
1. Choosing to be confident
2. Choosing to be innovative
3. Choosing to be autonomous
Financial Adviser at MetLife Financial Services
1. EDUCATE (KEEP TRACK WITH INFORMATION)
2. NETWORK (KEEP TRACK WITH OPPORTUNITIES)
3. SET PROPER GOALS AND ACCOMPLISH (KEEP TRACK WITH TIME MANAGEMENT)
Director at The Historical
Focus = the ability to identify opportunities, courage, stamina.
Experienced Analytics and Research Professional
They are optimists-hope is high when cash goes low.
They are creative.
They are either themselves good networkers or partner with great networkers.
They make good mouse traps or equivalent innovative products when the timing is right.
They generally read a lot and absorb information very fast but sometimes too focused on their own field.
They think they can change the world. Sometimes they do.
Photographer
I think successful entrepreneurs:
Believe- even if it means ignoring fear. but not just believe, believe and act on it.
Network- with genuine interest in getting to know people, not just their contact group. this includes being truly kind to people and doing right by them even when it doesn’t have any direct by-product that benefits you. things always come around and someone you may have met a long time ago will remember you if you’re kind to them.
Work-constantly and consistently while remember to still have balance (most unhappy people burn out while happy people are able to persist and continue at a steady pace)
Maria Spínola (LION) crescimentoempresas@gmail.com
Can You Wait Until Your Business Collapses?
Some days ago I post, here at linkedin, a kind of similar question “Why some people are much more successful in business than others?” ( that you can find at http://www.linkedin.com/answers/marketing-sales/business-development/MAR_BDV/205248-18507848 ) and I had very great answers, and there you will find dozens of good Habits Of Successful Enterprenours.
And to your question I will answer only ONE ( not three ) GREAT Common Habits Of Successful Enterprenours : The Habit Of Be Willing To Do The Uncomfortable Things That Are Need To Be Done, And Fast ! ( to me that is the main habit that make any Successful Enterpreneur, and they don’t think that it’s unpleasant, and postpone to tomorrow, they just take action now and do it ).
http://crescimentoempresas.blogspot.com
Former CEO at lucy activewear
1. A clear vision for success
2. Outrageous passion for their concept
3. A high tolerance for risk\
PS: And some rich friends
Small Business Service & Solutions Provider
Simply put I think the three greatest habits of an Entrepreneur are:
1.Motivation or Drive to always want to achieve more.Entrepreneurs never settle.
2.Authority to always be able to take control of any situation and not take a no.I am don’t think no is in our vocabulary.
3.Consistency to keep doing it again and again, day after day and year after year. Entrepreneurs never give up. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!
In my opinion I think these traits listed above must habits to be a successful entrepreneur.
Savvy business leader and technologist. Creator of the Operational Assurance IT risk management process.
Three Common Habits Of Successful Entrepreneurs
1. They get out there, play hard and get dirty. You can’t get altitude if you hide inside your office. You have to network, network, network and always be building your personal brand. Credibility is an award to be earned not a right to be expected.
2. They talk to EVERYBODY, but they listen to themselves. Input is good and lots of input is better. But no advisor has your answer. Advisors just help understand the equation. In the end, you have to crunch your own numbers and make sense of it yourself.
3. They never quit. Successful entrepreneurs never surrender and never roll over unless it’s time to play dead. You must survive until you thrive. For every genius who wins the big jackpot on the very first pull, there is a jackass who gave up his seat at the slot machine one pull too soon. Fake it till you make it. No guts, no glory. No balls, no ping pong.
Don’t bet with scared money and be prepared to go all in when you think you can win it all. Business is a feast but it’s also messy. You’re not doing it right unless you get some on ya and have some permanent stains to show for it.
Owner and managing director of Euredjin
I won’t make my experience as a general idea. Every one must make one’s own path through life, and thus entrepreneurship.
My motto is “No man is an island”. We only exist because there are others to look at us, talk to us, help us, sometimes criticize us (not too often, hopefully).
So I think great entrepreneurs practice these rules, and not necessarily in this order :
1) Think of their close human environment (employees, customers, business partners, suppliers, stockholders, …)
2) Think of mankind (is my product or service really a progress ?)
3) Move towards wisdom (besides the technological progress, is it really a moral progress ?)
Business Development Manager
In my experience in dealing with successful entrepreneurs, the three habits constantly emerge as “must haves”.
1. They seek out and surround themselves with people who are smarter or stronger than they are in areas of weakness.
2. They are willing to learn from ANYONE regardless of that person’s title, status, experience, etc. because they never know it all and never stop learning.
3. They have passion and conviction about their plan and will fight for it, but are willing to hear other opinions and critiques in order to make the plan stronger.
Vice President, Business Development
1) They believe every experience creates opportunity — meaning that there really are no mistakes, and that purpose and opportunity reveal themselves as times when most people would only look at the pain, mistake, error or other “what’s wrong” perspective that the situation offers.
2) They are empowered and empowering — meaning they find their answers from within themselves (not to say they don’t smartly seek the feedback and insights of others, but they use their own internal compass to guide them) and they instill the belief, values, fortitude, accountability, courage and wisdom in their employees to be solution seekers and idea implementers.
3) Their “Sixth Sense” is that they “see patterns” — meaning they can recognize, identify and understand trends that other people simply cannot see. This is applied from marketing and sales, to operations and processes, to financials. This ability, which can be learned (though difficult) is an entirely different way of viewing the world.
And, if you had asked for a 4th, or at least a 3b, I have to add an extreme level of self awareness and consciousness. Successful entrepreneurs (let alone any successful professiona) have strong sense of self and self awareness; and constantly look to expand this about themselves — recognizing that all challenges, all fears, all uncertainty melts away and have no more power in the face of consciousness.
Development Director
Do successful people read books to help them be successful or to turn them into being successful?
No!
But they write them and sell them to gullible people who think that they will be able to do the same ….. And if you order in the next 15 minutes ..
One key ingredient which covers everything is single mindedness – whether that be following the chosen path, screwing people over to get what they want, working all hours or simply just staying the course.
The other key ingredient is luck.
They are the ones that move and shake, whilst others are reading books and researching the latest TLA’s that they can then throw around to impress and pretend to others that they know what they are doing.
At least you were honest and stated where the answers would go .. on some resource site .. for other people looking for success stories or who they should emulate and how.
[ZT - While I respect your comments - they are published here, I totally completely disagree with you based on a few facts. Read what the successful people write about what they read.]
Partner & Owner with Loewen & Partners, Experienced in Raising Private Equity Capital, Canada
Being able to deal with rejection and bad criticism
Risk – being able to handle ups and downs of revenues
Pushing against the status quo – if the entrepreneur is trying to so something that seems impossible and everyone says so, it may just be the next Body Shop.
http://www.canadianprivateequity.com
Territory Sales Manager at COMPLETExRM providers of FranklinCoveys CRM jeff.archibald[at]planplusonline.com
Habit 1.Be Proactive
Habit 2.Begin with the end in mind
Habit 3.Put first things first
Habit 4. Think win/win
Habit 5. Seek first to understand,Then to be understood
Habit 6.Synergize
Habit 7. Sharpen the saw
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[ZT - While I read and respect Stephen Covey - we were looking for the THREE habits of successful entrepreneurs. Stephen's content is about a successful life, and while valid, doesn't always make for a successful entrepreneur. Much of his examples and beliefs work well for somebody in a corporate life. The entrepreneurial world is a lonely one (as described in many of the comments here) and Stephen Covey's approach is inclusive which means that the ability to stand alone is lost. This is not a criticism of Stephen Covey, rather a recognition of where his content and approach works.]
Owner, West Coast Agencies
I have met a lot of entrepreneurs. I like your three answers, but I see a couple of very common themes in most successful entrepreneurs.
First they need to focus on selling. Their product, their business, services. Regardless of what type of business it is, no money is made until the sale is made. Many start ups get stuck working on the details of operations, they forget that selling is more important. You definitely need to execute after the sale is made, along with filing and paying licences, taxes, etc., but make sure that selling is the first priority.
Second, don’t avoid selling to your friends and family. Many are afraid to “hit up” the people they know. I think that is one of the biggest mistakes that you can make. Don’t your friends and family deserve the product or service you are selling? And, wouldn’t it be easier to practice on them before you blow it with a new prospect?
Third, make new friends. Keep networking and meeting new people. Use your friends for introductions. Join the local Chamber of Commerce. Get involved in something you are passionate in like a charity board or your kids little league. (Notice I said get involved, not just join) It is much easier to approach people that you met before you make your pitch. Wouldn’t you like to make new friends more than you would like to make sales calls? Once you have met them and have learned more about them, follow up with them to see if you can talk about business. This works for any kind of business, even if you are just driving traffic to a retail store or a website.
Last, remember that just because they are friends or family, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make money from their purchase. Discounts and giveaways are fine as a first time buyer or other type of promotion, but don’t give your services away for free to family and friends. Once you start, it’s hard to stop.
Owner, The Clay Empire
I personally do not know for sure, but I have an idea, a vision if you will, and in some years you can find me again and see if I was correct if you have not joined me in my vision.
1) They have a vision and spend little time with those who they can not share this vision with.
2) Their passion is infective to those more talented and gifted they always surround themselves with.
3) They are already working on their next idea.
These are three key things that I try to embody. I always have little capital and somehow still seem to move mountains to accomplish my goals. However, if and when I finally solve the capital shortage, then look out.
Managing Member, Dynamic Computers LTD LLC
I say :
1.) Manage Risk
Learn how to identify, mitigate and control risk. Risk can be used as a benefit the problem exists when there are not sufficient controls in place to mitigate/control the negative factors.
2.) Use Leverage
Understanding how to leverage your resources (People, Financial, Knowledge) to attain the maximum possible benefit. This is always overlooked and the extremes either too much or too little are both drains on your overall growth.
3.) Network
Networking can save you time and resources as in some fields your network can end up getting you in the door sales wise. Otherwise a powerful network can yield cost savings.
4.) Your Team
Yes team building is key. If you understand how to build effective teams you can leverage your personal to achieve greater results.
5.) Be Creative.
Creativity is a tool that in some cases can be the definition of what makes someone or a group of people successful
6.) Listening.
Listening is also a needed skill. You need to listen to you customers your, staff, your vendors anyone who has information that may affect how you must run your endeavor.
[ZT - Another fellow who can't count to three.]
Add your insights and opinions in the comments section below!
Success Stories are part of my Success Through Balance approach to life. I believe that Success comes from living a balanced life. You can read more about being successful and the skills required here.
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Zale – thank you for putting this together. It’s been very interesting reading.
JR Fent