Perhaps, most people perceive that the life of an entrepreneur is uncomplicated because there have been broadcasts that many succeeded in the industry they intended to cater with. It is true that an entrepreneur is someone who takes risks and starts something new and unique - he who is an innovator, but it is not at all instance that he who decides to be such is assured of rewards. Not everyone can be as winning as those who have flourished and continue to enthrall the market.
Asia Pacific College, which I considered to be my fourth home, has given me the chance to discover more about myself. All of a sudden, the idea of putting up a venture came into my mind. Perhaps, the Entrepreneurial Management has greatly influenced me. I can say that I heart the subject. The discussions are meaningful because when we have the chance to have a father-daughter bonding time, I share everything to my father. He was an entrepreneur too but he believes that he is not yet successful and for him, there’s more to reading and learning from others.
Mr. Ramon Duremdes, my professor, is an entrepreneur so I am glad because he does not only discuss the lectures fully but he also has experiences which he can relate to the class. Actually, sharing one of the chapters we have talked about pleases me so much because it has inspired me in some ways.
“The Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Mind,” has given me an idea that although the ideal entrepreneur cannot be sketched perfectly, there are still trends for, at least, a would-be entrepreneur. For him to start a new venture, he must go through the entrepreneurial process: identification and evaluation of opportunity, development of the business plan, determination of the resources required, and management of the enterprise, respectively. These stages shall guide the entrepreneur in making his venture succeed and therefore are very significant to consider.
Managing a new firm differs from managing an existing operation, particularly along the key dimensions: strategic orientation, commitment to opportunity, commitment of resources, control of resources, and management structure. An entrepreneur is faced with stressful conditions which may be different from which a corporate manager takes his stance. While a corporate manager’s attitudes are related to the organizational structure, an entrepreneur is particularly concerned at risk. Intrapreneurship, conversely, is an entrepreneurship within an existing organization. Aspiring for an intrapreneurial environment requires top management commitment and an intrapreneur must have appropriate leadership characteristics to be applied among his associates.
When I first read the chapter, it was my father whom I remembered. I told him what the topic was all about. I even teased him that, “Pa, dapat kasi ganito ka oh! Magbago ka na!” then he laughed and said, I was true. Actually, we own a tailoring shop and running the venture had been quite difficult during its former years.
When he was removed from being an employee of a big tailoring shop in Sucat, my father thought of renovating our house and made the front a tailoring shop. Very different from what he used to do, he was now the manager. No one was giving him commands and decisions but he should do all kinds of work alone.
When he started managing the business, my father really was disorganized - he had no time management. He was not good engaging with customers and not used of working whole day. He sometimes got sick so the shop was closed for days. As a result, the pants were not made so his customers would complain and asked their money back. There were times that he wanted to quit but he had no choice, it was the only job he knew well. Years later, he learned from his mistakes and asked tips from my uncle who also have a tailoring shop. The business was now going efficiently. He was able to hire another tailor and he had several contracts with large companies.
Life of an entrepreneur is not easy that’s why I admire all entrepreneurs who made their ventures succeed. But this does not make me close the door for entrepreneurship. As a matter of fact, I am planning to run a craft boutique. I am getting more excited as I learn more from my father and my professor. Who knows this might be the savior my career so I am planning to read more and likewise share them to everyone. =)
