So you want to start a business and are wondering what it takes to be a good entrepreneur. Here are a few qualities.
Time Management
As the saying goes, time is money and time is the only thing you can never recover. A good entrepreneur keeps time. To effectively manage time, you can start by making a ‘to do list’ to guide you through the day and sticking to it. Make sure you are attending meetings on time and do not waste time.
Build your capacity
To build your capacity you can enroll for short courses on entrepreneurship and business management courses. Alternatively reading books, attending workshops and networking sessions, as well as taking part in mentorship programmes is a good way to build and improve your skills which are critical in the success of your business.
Be Innovative
A good entrepreneur thinks about solving tomorrow’s problems as opposed to today’s problems. Do you envision future challenges and work around finding the solutions? Find ways of doing things differently.
Determination
In entrepreneurship you will face both good and bad days and make profits and losses as well. You need to have a never say die attitude. Entrepreneurship calls for people who have determination and do not allow challenges to kill their dreams.
Learn from mistakes
As the African saying goes, a mistake is not a mistake until it is repeated, ensure you do not repeat your mistakes. It is important that you learn from your mistakes, and learn quickly, so that your business can grow. Repeating the same mistakes again and again is a sure way of leading your business down the road of failure.
Delegate duties
Most entrepreneurs are all-rounders, holding on to everything. As your business grows so do the responsibilities involved in running the business. A good entrepreneur will delegate duties especially in technical fields where he or she is not trained on. The danger of doing everything is that your productivity will be low and you are likely to make mistakes that can cost the business a lot of money.
Take calculated risks
Good entrepreneurs take calculated risks. Some of the worlds most successful entrepreneurs took on business ideas which everyone else thought would never succeed. Be courageous and take not just risk but calculated risks.
Be accessible
How easy is it for people to do business with you? Are you always in ‘meetings’? Make it easy for customers and prospective financiers to reach you. Having direct communication with clients for instance, is a good opportunity to tell them about your products and services as well as hear their honest opinions first hand about your business.
Abubakar Isa
April 1, 2011
Wow, I am really happy to come accross this mistakenly yesterday while I was resting at home at night. I saw AIT tv station showing and was motivated with what I heard and saw how some entrepreneur’s rose from the bottom to the top.
I am an entrepreneur running several businesses in Nigeria: Education, Laundry, Restaurant, Production of Cashew Nuts for consumption etc..I feel this will go a long way in helping me in the aspect of Human Resources and any challenges in regards to business. It’s a good step to encouraging entrepreneurs.
Nziku oscar
April 7, 2011
I am a 23yr old second year studend of Sokoiine University doing a course in RURAL DEVELOPMENT (BRD). I am so interested to be an enterpreneur.
Wamundila Wamundila
April 8, 2011
I have challenges in looking for capital but with Africa Report I am sure I am going to succeed one day, thanks for the encouragement. Please keep it up and continue giving us more information on how we can maximize our abilities.
Patirisi
April 9, 2011
I watched it on NTV and I was amazed by the power you guys have. I am a young entrepreneur who keeps on making mistakes and getting up to do something else. I am motivated by u guyz.
Max Erhabor
April 15, 2011
I saw you on TV and decided to get to know more about you through the net. My ambition is to be a very successful entreprenuer. From the level of information at my disposal through you, I am sure to make the best out of entreprenuership. Thank you very much for this wonderful service.
Fredrick
April 15, 2011
I am a keen follower of your posts, very encouraging and informative especially to young enterptreneurs like myself and others. I believe I will one day walk the talk with the little resouces that are available.
Good job keep it up.
amos kaliza
April 15, 2011
Thanks for these ideas, they really help.
john abande
April 16, 2011
With the knowledge I have gained from Africa Report, sitting down as a young man to wait for employment will be a mistake. My own business is my aim.
PAUL F. MANJARA
April 16, 2011
I have read your articles through AFRICA REPORT NEWSLETTER. I’m a young entrepreneur wishing to start business in Tanzania. Thanks a lot Africa Report for your interesting news.
DANFORD MAGONYOZI
April 16, 2011
Once I read this article I got something new in my mind as far as an entrepreneurs life is concerned. I am really happy with these articles and for sure they will help me in my business. Thank you Africa Report team. Big up for your work, but one thing I want to comment is, why don’t you put this articles even in brochures so that even those Africans who live in rural areas where there is no access to internet can share these fruits toward achievement?
Thank you Africa Report team for your work, I really appreciate it. God bless you all.
Africa Report Team
April 18, 2011
Hi Elvis,
You can look for resources in our Directory and by placing a Marketplace advert on our website. You need to contact any resources directly, with a business plan and find out what their requirements are.
Here are instructions on How to make a Marketplace listing.
Africa Report Team
Juma Ismail Mchafu
April 19, 2011
Thanks, you have made me awake! very soon I will become a good enterpreneur
Jay
April 20, 2011
You guys are truly inspirational!
Ernest Mbita
April 21, 2011
I was happy to watch your program on DSTV for the first time. Please continue encouraging us as we are doing business. I am a Zambian youth trying to penetrate the construction industry, despite the difficulties I am facing. I now know that with your support anything is attainable.
Mutuma
April 23, 2011
Informative piece, keep up the good work.
OLARIBIGBE SAHEED OMOBORIOWO
May 23, 2011
I LIKE this company bcos its an excellent company.
robert shamwarira
May 27, 2011
Hi,
It happened that I was looking for a channel to watch and mistakenly and for a good reason the local channel was showing Africa Report. It was about a prominent lawyer who left his trade to become a miller in Rwanda. I was also troubling myself on how to become a well known and established business person in the field of agriculture. I got so motivated and excited and I quickly ran to your website, but to my surprise there are no articles on Zimbabwe, as I am a Zimbabwean.
Is it possible to get financial assistance because I want to venture into lodges and wildlife conservancy. I have a land of 540 hectares, which needs development, but due to financial constraints, I am unable to put it to full potential.
Your assistance and response will be of great help.
Your faithfully,
ROBERT
Africa Report Team
May 27, 2011
Hi Robert,
You can look for resources in our Directory and by placing a Marketplace advert on our website. You need to contact any resources directly, with a business plan and find out what their requirements are.
Here are instructions on How to make a Marketplace listing.
We hope to bring more news and advice about business and entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe in the future.
Africa Report Team
Augustino ngowi
May 31, 2011
Indeed, I feel to be an entrepreneur…just sugared…..am an Accountant(unemployed),how can I employ myself offering Accounting services with less capital ?
JOHN B SARAKIKYA
June 1, 2011
I AM A TANZANIAN BOY OF 20 YEARS OLD. I AM STUDYING AT THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS EDUCATION WHICH IS LOCATED AT DODOMA IN TANZANIA. I AM NEARLY FINISHED MY CERTIFICATE COURSE SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE WITH MY DIPLOMA LEVEL IN OCTOBER 2011. I AM LOOKING FOR CAPITAL BECAUSE I HAVE MY BUSINESS PLAN. ON TOP OF THAT I AM STUDYING ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
Africa Report Team
June 2, 2011
Hi John,
You can look for resources in our Directory and by placing a Marketplace advert on our website. You need to contact any resources directly, with a business plan and find out what their requirements are.
Here are instructions on How to make a Marketplace listing.
Africa Report Team
Tinah Davids
September 23, 2011
Hi
Can you please send me the contact information of Rose Valentine in Tanzania who is a Fashion Designer.
Thank you