Skills For Future Entrepreneurs
The economic challenges all over the world call for thorough outlook by Nigeria youth entrepreneurs. The UN in its ECOSOC You Tube,
February 10, report stated that youth unemployment is on the rise
across the globe due to the current economic and financial crises. Each
day the stories of unemployment with several statistics showing daily
job cuts, companies closing down or downsizing and various austerity
measures rocking major countries of the world including Nigeria. Aside
from this, Nigeria institutions yearly continue to turn out thousands of
graduates with the attendant effects.
There have been efforts made by the
government at various levels at creating jobs and alleviate poverty even
though some of these efforts are not being followed with political
will. It is certain that these efforts cannot wipe out this problem, but
the only possible way through which this could be solve is through
entrepreneurship. This is considered as one of the best ways of growing
the economies of nations.
It is time Nigeria youths begin to develop
a mindset toward entrepreneurship even before they gain admission into
higher institutions to pursue a career. This mind set will help youth to
become very proactive towards being a job maker and not job seeker
after leaving school which will save them the trauma of wandering about
waiting for a job that might not be available.
Also youths should begin with deciding on a
business idea to embarked on. This could be developed by identifying a
need and trying to meet such need, and fortunately needs abound in all
areas around us. But this requires being innovative and creative; that
is bringing up a non-existing new and original idea and/or solution to
meet the need or by being adaptive, that is looking for a new way of
using an already existing idea to meet a need. But those who really want
to take up the challenge of entrepreneurship would have to take note of
some of the under listed tips:
Risk Taking: Running a business involves
taking risk especially in a country like Nigeria that has no planning
for beginners. But to be successful, youth must learn to be ready and
willing to take risk. However, this does not mean taking “a leap in the
dark”, but well calculated and thought-out risk. This means knowing when
and how to take a leap is very crucial skill that a would-be-successful
entrepreneur must possess.
Taking actions: having dreams and
aspirations without actually rolling up one’s sleeves and taking actions
to ensure that the dream are realised is foolheardy. As vision without
action is a mere illuion. A would-be-successful entrepreneur must know
what necessary actions to take to make his business succeed and must be
ready to take these. He must work to succeed.
Being Persistent: it can be relatively
easy to think up ideas and it may be easy to start. However, it is not
so easy to continue to take actions day after day, especially if success
is not instant. Successful people are known to always demonstrate a
high level of commitment and persistence. It is the staying power that
counts.
Being Optimistics: this is another skill, a
negative outlook on life is a disadvantage and discouraging factor.
Successful entrepreneurs must have a “can do” attitude and see
opportunities where others only sees problems.
Being Goal-oriented: entrprenuers take a
lot of satisfaction in setting and reaching goals. Youth must write down
their goals check them daily and regularly review them until they are
achieved.
Being customer-oriented: one can only help
himself by helping others, which includes providing people with a
service they need. Think of your customers satisfactions first and hold
them dear.
Being Passionate: Entrepreneurs are not
just motivated by a desire to earn a living. They usually have such an
interest and passion for their line of satisfaction by doing them. To
succeed you must love what you do.
Being flexible: things change rapidly.
Successful entrepreneurs must be willing to overcome mistake, meet new
challenges and adapt to changes. This can mean a difference between
failure and success.
Having marketing skills: In business, as
the saying goes, “everything is marketing”. The world cannot and will
not beat a path to your door to buy your product if the world doesn’t
know about it. Regardless of what business you are in, marketing is the
critical tool used to present the solutions that your products and
services have to offer to the rest of the world.
Upholding ethics and morals: from the
onsets, you must define what you and your business will stand for and
what lines you will refuse to cross, many entrepreneurs run into trouble
because they place profitmaking over morals. If you stray too far from
your morals you will give yourself and your business a bad name.
Good time management: schedule your day
and stick to your schedule. Every minute is valuable in business, when
first starting out, most likely you will not have enough work to fill a
day. Utilize this time to learn more skills relating to your business,
find ways to advertise and contact potential clients.
Good financial skill: in business, a
proper knowledge of finance is a must. Knowing how to cost a service,
track expenses, balance an account and keep track of numbered invoiced
are all most small businesses need to start out. Entrepreneurs must know
acceptable ways of sourcing funds and profitable management of such
funds.
But government has a lot to do in aiding
potential entrepreneurs develop. Because in the quest for a society with
an entrepreneurial culture and a society free from corruption there is
need for good governance. Good governance is a very important component
in the society because it ensures freedom, rule of law and the equitable
distribution of resources. Good governance is a system of government
characterized by transparency and accountability, where people are
assigned duty to perform with defined resources and at a particular time
to achieve a well specified objective, which is presently missing in
Nigeria.
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