Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneur

What this unit covers

This page collects study material on who entrepreneurs are and what they do. Much of it is mind maps. The Entrepreneurial Skills map lists optimism, vision, initiative, drive and persistence, resilience, risk tolerance, leadership, communication, negotiation and goal setting. The Role of an Entrepreneur map covers innovators, organisational skills, decision making, risk takers, and the risks and rewards of the job.

Where to start

Begin with the maps, because they give you the vocabulary quickly. Open Entrepreneurial Skills first, then Entrepreneurial Skills and Qualities, which explains ideas such as passion, commitment and dedication. Next, read the slides Role of an entrepreneur (1.5.1), which define entrepreneurs as people who set up and run a business and take the risks that go with it. The map on entrepreneurial motives and characteristics (1.5.2) adds self-confidence, self-determination, judgement and perseverance.

Going a little deeper

Some resources look beyond the basics. Who owns the ice house? is a map on how other people influence our behaviour, and why entrepreneurs choose their company carefully. The notes on the evolution of entrepreneurship theory introduce economic perspectives and the history of thought. These suit university students more than anyone else. The map on the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs looks at innovation and finding a niche in the market.

Using quizzes and maps together

1. Read a map and cover the branches you can recall.
2. Take a quiz such as Entrepreneurial Behavior Midterm Exam to see what you missed.
3. Go back to the map for those gaps.
4. Finish with a flashcard deck, such as Entrepreneurial qualities (1.3) or Calculated risk (1.2), for quick recall.

Where it sits

This unit belongs to the Foundations of Entrepreneurship strand in the Entrepreneurship subject. It is the place to settle the basics before moving on to ideas, opportunities and planning. Choose one map today and see how far it takes you.