Found: Starting your own business

This is a great presentation about becoming an Entrepreneur. 

Discussion: Entrepreneurship, nature or nurture?

'The reason there are more employees than entrepreneurs is simply that our schools train young people to become employees.' (Before you quit your job, Robert Kiyosaki) Robert also states that the employee is a relatively new phenomenon. During the agrarian age most people were farmers, bakers, butchers or trades people. During the industrial age the demand for employees grew; people who follow orders and do as they were told.

These days employees are having a hard time. They need to be flexible and living in fear of losing jobs. I can imagine that some employees are starting to think about becoming an entrepreneur.

But, thinking of becoming an entrepreneur is quite different from being an entrepreneur. This is why some employees are asking themself this question: "Are people entrepreneurs or are they trained to be entrepreneurs?" Robert Kiyosaki answers: people are trainable. They learned to be a great employee. But, my question is: where can I find a training to become an entrepreneur? I hope you can learn something on this blog.

Suggestion: Writing a business plan from three perspectives

Did you ever write a business plan? Can you remember the starting point of your plan? I assume you started with a great idea you suddenly had. After some research you probably found out that the idea needed some reshaping. Some elements are simply not possible to operate, others are too expensive. When you speak to potential customers you suddenly realize that the business needs to be changed to meet customer needs.

So, basically I think you can write a business plan from three perspectives:

1. Idea centered (passion is main driver)

2. Restrictions / resource centered (financial situation is main driver)

3. Customer needs centered (marketing is main driver)

Do you agree with this 'theory'? Are there more perspectives to write from?

Event: Rethinking Media

On 19 November 2008 something special happened. More than 400 members of the Linkedin group Dutch Media Professionals came together in 'De Rode Hoed' in Amsterdam to  

have a discussion about 'new news', the influence of web 2.0 on newspapers. This event is a great example of how social media are influencing 'the real world'. More than 3.900 users of Linkedin became member of this group, more than 400 Media executives and profesionals attended this event. There were some great presentations, discussions and networking posibilities. 

Learnings for new media entrepreneurs:

• social media can be used to create a constant flow of leads, you can even bring a group of people together in 'the real world' 
  
• some reporters (or bloggers) are having a larger fanbase than traditional newspapers (individuals can have a greater audience than a company)
  
• Newspapers are trying to find a third income stream next to income from subscribers and advertising
  

I love this digital era! Entrepreneurs are able to compete with large companies. They have the same struggles and same opportunities: trying to reach a target group and finding a sustainable businessmodel.

Found: Sprout's 'ultimate challenger guide'

Sprout is a Dutch magazine about new business and entrepreneurship. ' The ultimate challenger guide' is one of the articles in Sprout Oktober 2008.  Five academics and entrepreneurs about the skills of a real 'challenger':

1. Courage
2. Exellent communication skills
3. Perfect timing
4. Creative mind
5. Flexible and oportunistic

Do you recognize yourself? Yes? You must be a challenger!

Event: Hiphop businessclass, think & act as entrepreneur

On 1 november 2008 the first Dutch hiphop businessclass was held @No Limit in Amsterdam. 

Speakers of Telegraaf Media, Radio 538, Rockacademie, Buma/Stemra, 3time and Netlog showed Dutch Hiphopartists how the business side of the Music Industry works. How do you get your music on the radio? Do you really need a record company? How do you clear copyrights? Do you need permission of right holders when you use samples in your song?  How can you use social media to get in touch with your fans? Next to the various presentations professional hiphop artists provided hiphop workshops to improve your skills as MC / Hiphop artist. 

'Think & act as an entrepreneur' was the most important message of the business professionals. Use new media to produce, distribute and market yourself and your music. The hiphop professionals had another important message: It is good to have heroes, but don't become a copycat. Find your own style. Continiously improve your sound. There will be more hiphop businessclasses in 2009.

Picture by: Guido terhorst

Found: Bootstrapping