National Certificate in New Venture Creation（五）.docVIP

What is an entrepreneur? An entrepreneur is simply a person who takes the risk of starting a new business. The word derives from the French entre (to enter) and prendre (to take), and in a general sense applies to any person starting a new project or trying a new opportunity. In South Africa there are many people who will not find jobs. Starting a business is an alternative way of making a living. Can you start your own business? People often ask the question – am I an entrepreneur? How do you know if you are an entrepreneur? Is an entrepreneur born or can a person learn to become an entrepreneur? Many people who start their own business fail! However, there are those who start and fail but they eventually succeed if they do not give up. For this reason one of the key aspects of success in starting a business is PERSISTANCE. If you are determined to succeed you will eventually make a success of your future. Activity 1: Am I an entrepreneur? (Rate yourself). Rank yourself on a scale of 1 to 5 for each of the following dimensions. Place an “X” in the appropriate column. Some areas you might score low whereas others you may score high. Be honest and realistic in your assessment of how you measure in each of these dimensions. Dimensions 1 Very low 2 Low 3 Avg 4 High 5 Very high 1. Persistent: Intense and determined desire to complete a task or solve a problem; a strong determination to get the job done. I don’t give up once I have set my mind to doing something. 2. Self-Belief: Belief in yourself and your ability to achieve your goals. A sense that events in your life are self-determined. 3. Long-Term Involvement: Commitment to long-term, future projects and to working towards goals that may be quite distant in the future. 4. Money As A Measure: Money is a measure of what you have accomplished – it is a way of keeping score - rather than achievement of power. 5. Drive and Energy Level: Able to work actively for long hours w