Greetings Friends,
Business incubators have traditionally served a central role in facilitating the success of small business enterprises by accelerating their development of fledging ideas. However, given the changing nature of the employer-employee relationship in today’s workplace, the incubator concept can be a useful strategy for promoting both individual and organizational success.
Today’s employees are expected to manage their own careers by anticipating organizational needs and developing new competencies that address those needs. From this perspective, organizations are customers and employees retain their employment through continuous improvement. This shifts the burden of adaptability to change to employees.
Our economic climate has forced many into contingent work arrangements (i.e., any arrangement other than permanent, full-time employment that is usually based on a contractual agreement), and this trend is expected to continue. Difficult times create opportunities, so there’s no better time than now to take control of your own destiny by forging a new path.
Here’s an example: rather than chasing job openings, create your own career opportunities. Recognizing the difference between openings and opportunities is crucial to success. Job seekers pursue openings (reactive and imprisoning), while entrepreneurs create opportunities (proactive and empowering). Whether you’re in the job market or gainfully employed, cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset sets you apart from others and establishes you as a pacesetter.
What is an Entrepreneurial Mindset?
Entrepreneurs think differently than others in that they actively focus on the big picture and opportunities to energize and transform the organization. An entrepreneurial mindset includes:
Strategic Thinking – looking beyond short-term gains to the power of long-term sustainability;
Creativity and Innovation – harnessing new and creative ways to solve old problems;
Risk Taking – demonstrating a willingness to embrace calculated risk;
Persistence – refusing to give up by trying different approaches to achieve a desired outcome; and
Generating Opportunities – engaging in introspection to define your unique professional brand and identify a niche market that values your expertise.
From this point forward, consider yourself a “start-up enterprise.” Since opportunities often come in the least expected ways, it’s incumbent upon you to be ready to deliver a concise and provocative message about who you are and what value you can add to make a meaningful impact in the workplace.
Stay tuned for Part II of this series in our next Blog.
Until Next Time,
Mary
The Inside Out with Dr. Mary Canty Merrill 