Jun21Entrepreneurs: Nature or Nurture?Posted at 06:32 in Leadership

I am very interested in all topics related to entrepreneurship. My dad was an entrepreneur, I started my first venture when I was 22, started 2 other businesses since then, and I know that one day, I'll jump into it again. I have always wondered where this flame came from. Nature or Nurture? Well, a recent report published by Ernst&Young provided insights into some key characteristics of some of the world's leading entrepreneurs.

As far as numbers are concerned, from the 685 entrepreneurs surveyed worldwide, 60% have worked in a corporate environment (and half of those claim this was key to their success), 55% started their first business before age 30, and 60% are serial-entrepreneurs (they started more than 3 companies in their career to date). Some well known stereotypes are challenged in this research, and some entrepreneurial challenges are outlined: Not all entrepreneurs start their companies without completing a formal education and without any experience of corporate life; Entrepreneurship is rarely a one-off decision; Funding, people and know-how are the biggest barriers to entrepreneurial success.

While the research suggests that entrepreneurs are made, rather than born, there are some common grounds likely to be different from many others. The top qualities identified are to have a vision, passion, and drive; flexibility, a relentless focus on quality, and loyalty. Most successful entrepreneurs see opportunity where others see only risk. This optimism enables them to succeed when eveyone else is telling them they cannot.

You can find out more here.