One last ping drew me back to the inbox in the milliseconds before I hit the escape button in the upper right corner of my email page. It was a call for an extraordinary commitment — one that would cause the business journey to be presented a little differently than I am used to. Part of the occasion was an interview to review my already revealed aspirations for the future and potential developments on the horizon. In other words, in the early stages, they wanted me into the fold.
Their request prompted me to face the greatest drawback with a decade of experience and “expertise” in subjects. I will have to fess up with the true decision-maker (and those I’ll give up) behind my next ventures. That means to admit a huge weakness that plagues my start-up trip today and probably wipes out the journeys of many wise and seasoned entrepreneurs.
Geniuses own the media – or are featured at least
When we think about famous entrepreneurs it is possible to remember the names of the technological geniuses (who often headline their billion-dollar achievements in the media). These unicorn pioneers appear to be almost in a class for their intellect and superhuman expertise. The preservation of their “genius” will put other young entrepreneurs and early stage entrepreneurs in doubt. Do you still have the IQ to make a good entrepreneur if you can not code your next Facebook or create your own cryptocurrency?
It’s very natural to think that you know very little or lack the expertise required to succeed in entrepreneurship. The contrary, though, can be almost as damning, and this can be the greatest obstacle to our business growth.
Knowing “how” is not sufficient
If there were anything like “Anonymous entrepreneurs” for planners and creative projects enthusiasts, I’m sure I’d be dedicated. This, I suppose, prompted me to take time to consult and to organise strategic gigs: They cause me to sit on (and impact on) an early-stage seat more went than I ever had time to construct. That said, broad visibility and extensive expertise have their downsides…
Since working with thousands of founders — and in the last two years alone consulting over 500 people — I have seen a vast variety of business models and entrepreneurial issues across different sectors. I have had my own fair share of start-up problems and defeats. The achievements are also fantastic, but not the problem knowledge base on which I sit – and, yeah, too much knowledge can be evil.
If someone asked me to create an e-commerce business, in a matter of days I could get it up. It would take a little longer if they wanted me to build an e-learning business, but the steps are simple. If they were to establish a media corporation, it certainly would take longer to gain momentum, but the method of launching (and eventual monetization) is very clear. The same goes with several other companies – it’s not difficult to know the “how” to develop them.
Odd babies are preventing potential parents
Once you have gathered the skills and exposure to create a number of companies with a knowledge of “how,” you have also also been faced with the threats, crumbs and challenges that each company or industry has to face. That’s the big issue.
I already run a few enterprises and have some more hands, so I certainly don’t need to launch another company — but I want to. I want the fresh adventure, the curiosity, the diverse learning environment and the chance to develop it in a new industry firsthand. I want to practise a skill set entirely different from what I use with my other companies. There are infinite options – then so is the laundry list of experiences.
Knowledge can be force, but it is also a wonderful way to learn about almost any new chance. I know exactly in the industry I would be – if I were only involved in the lowest risk, the most benefit in the short term – that is the one in which I have already been, and even though I know it well, it doesn’t excite me.
Every baby now begins to look strange…
What excites me is something different – but due to my extensive exposure and varied background in companies and industry, I am no stranger to the many problems afflicting various companies. That’s too much to the detriment of knowing.
I can’t look at a raw vegan gourmet food company without seeing all the downsides psychologically. Spoilage prices, industrial cuisine, laboratory tests and FDA approval are necessary if you ever want to scal it up or buy it in corporate food items, small margins due to the expense of organic vegan foods, the seasonality of such food products and much more. In the first few seconds, that’s where my subconscious goes. You can see what the suffering is? Instead of bubbling with possible new ideas, they face potential difficulties.
Will you deal with the truth?
No entrepreneurial venture is completely unfailing or devoid of obstacles — which perhaps makes the trip so rewarding. How boring would business be if it were easy?
However, as a dedicated serial contractor who evaluates my next project on an ongoing basis, I know that my knowledge and experience are the very reasons I don’t pursue most opportunities.
Building a company is not that difficult easily. Do you want to tackle the next decade of problems facing enterprise and industry? It’s a much harder pill to take and a much harder trip to go on. That said, whether you await or scour the world in a bulletproof industry for the right, seamless moment, you would not be able to get a company venture off the ground.
Business does not need to discover a failed, unfailing future unicorn of an invention (with zero downsides and billion-dollar potential). Rather it needs acceptance that the perceived advantages of a company outweigh the inherent disadvantages and obstacles. Prewarning is not actually forearming, but the trip is far more appealing with a good dose of reasonable ambitions.
Take off 20/20 of your glasses
It’s a nice idea to be conscious – before it kills you. If you prevent your wealth of information or decades of experience from exploring a new or dangerous undertaking, you can be cut off from a great opportunity.
I don’t recommend that entrepreneurs should blindly head through their next project, but if you have a high negative hyperactivity condition from history (not true, but it may well be), you might want the 20/20 glasses to be removed, embrace the fuzzy vision and hop in. Many challenges and those that cannot be only part of the game should be resolved. Knowledge and experience are excellent – before they are your own roadblocks.
Also Read: Should You Invest In Real Estate
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