Entrepreneur skills that are not taught in school
Are you an entrepreneur, employed or unemployed or recently graduated and looking to start your own business? You may be surprised to hear that there are certain entrepreneurial skills that cannot be taught formally in school. Although organizations and universities regularly introduce courses on starting or expanding a business, what they can’t teach are the hands-on skills necessary for success as an entrepreneur. From financial management to networking and time management. This piece will cover some of the essential entrepreneurial skills you wouldn’t learn in a classroom setting. Continue reading to find out how these personal development tips can help get your business off on the right foot.
Networking
Building relationships with other entrepreneurs and individuals relevant to your industry can be extremely beneficial in the long run. It’s important to have a strong network of peers who can provide advice, feedback, and support along the way. Networking can also help open doors for potential collaborations or even potential business within your field. Even if you don't feel like a natural-born salesperson, learning how to build meaningful relationships with others is one of the most important entrepreneurial skills you can develop. Lekau Sehoana the founder of the sneaker business Drip, once mentioned during an interview with DJ Sbu on The Hustlersconner SA podcast, that he has a good relationship with Theo Baloyi the founder of Bathu sneakers, and whenever he wants to open a store at the mall where Bathu is present, he would ask Theo about the performance of his store and whether is advisable to open a store at that mall. At Groblersdal mall Bathu received overwhelming support and Drip followed by opening a store, During the first day of opening there was a long queue waiting to buy Drip sneakers and, on that day, Drip was tock out.
Adaptability
The ability to adapt quickly is essential for any entrepreneur who wants their business to succeed in today’s rapidly changing landscape. Being able to adjust quickly when faced with unexpected challenges or changes in the marketplace gives entrepreneurs an edge over those who cannot easily adapt their processes or strategies accordingly. This is especially true if your start-up operates in a highly competitive industry where new technologies or trends come into play frequently; being able to handle such shifts gracefully will give you an advantage over your competitors who may struggle more with change management. Covid 19 crippled lots of small businesses and start-ups but those with the ability to adapt were able to turn around things to save their businesses.
Financial Management
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in business for a while, money management is essential. You need to track your finances accurately and efficiently so that you can make informed decisions about your budget and investments. This means having a basic understanding of financial concepts like cash flow management, bookkeeping, tax law, budgeting, and more. It also helps to have some knowledge of accounting software programs like QuickBooks or Xero to help manage your finances more easily.
Time Management
Time management is crucial when running a business, as there are always tasks that need to be completed on time and with precision. Allocating your time strategically is especially important for entrepreneurs who wear many hats at once and must balance multiple responsibilities simultaneously. For example, if you own your own business, you may need to manage bookkeeping tasks while also managing marketing campaigns and customer service duties—all while still finding time for yourself! Finding strategies that work for you helps make sure that all these tasks get done on time without getting burnt out from overworking.
Whether it's networking, time management, or adaptability—these are just some of the many entrepreneurial skills that aren't taught inside the classroom but are essential for success as an entrepreneur today! No matter what field or industry you're entering into as an entrepreneur, developing these types of skills now will set you up for success later down the line when launching and growing your own business venture! With dedication and hard work, any aspiring entrepreneur can acquire these skills by taking courses online or through self-learning resources such as books and podcasts! Start honing those skills today!
[The end]