T-Shirts and Suits Creative Enterprise Network
Creative Enterprise Network :: www.creative-enterprise-network.com
Be your own kind of Entrepreneur!
Business doesn't have to be about being the biggest, fastest or strongest.
Entrepreneurs don't have to be short-sighted, aggressive and unfair.
"Entrepreneurialism has nothing to do with hardwired personality traits."
This is what Robert Kelsey says in this article in the journal of the Royal Society of Arts.
I agree totally.
Unfortunately, the popular image of the 'successful entrepreneur' is someone who is arrogant, ruthless and entirely motivated by money.
Robert Kelsey argues that this skewed image of what a successful entrepreneur needs to be is deterring many talented people from setting up their own business. In the same article, Rajeeb Dey says that "The media overplays the image of the nasty entrepreneur. It's easy to forget that business is primarily relationship-driven."
In my view, TV series such as The Apprentice and Dragon's Den, entertaining though they are, portray business in such a way that they probably do more to deter rather than encourage people to become entrepreneurs.
Many creative people don't fit the 'maverick entrepreneur' stereotype - yet they can be highly successful in business. They choose to do business in their own way, being clear about their objectives and sticking to their values.
There are many different ways of growing a creative or digital business and all kinds of people can succeed by doing things unconventionally. My book, blog and the Creative Enterprise Network illustrate how people have combined their creativity and with imaginative business thinking to achieve success on their own terms. Indeed T-Shirts and Suits® is all about empowering creative people with the best business techniques so they can grow their creative enterprise in the way that's best for them.
Successful creative entrepreneurs focus on their own Business Formula, which brings together creative passion, personal and business goals, business feasibility, competitive advantage, financial realities and strategic marketing.
So, be creative in your work - and also be creative about the way you do business and develop as a successful entrepreneur.
You don't have to be like the stereotypical businesspeople portrayed in the media.
Be true to yourself, your goals and your values.
Be your own kind of entrepreneur!
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The article 'Create your own Business Formula' and the eBook 'T-Shirts and Suits: A Guide to the Business of Creativity' are both available free online and can be copied, printed and re-distributed (provided you don't change them or sell them).
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Robert Kelsey's book 'What's Stopping You?: Why Smart People Don't Always Reach Their Potential and How You Can' is available from Amazon.
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David Parrish, Robert Kelsey and Rajeeb Dey are Fellows of the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce).
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This article was first published on the T-Shirts and Suits blog.
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Tags: Arts, Entrepreneur, RSA, Royal, Society, Suits, T-Shirts, and, business, create, More…
Views: 33
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Derek Thompson on -
Thanks, David.
Perhaps there's a gap in the programming schedule for a more creative hybrid of Dragon's Den and The Apprentice combined? The Wizard's Den and The Master?
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Permalink Reply by Patricia van den Akker on -
Hi David & all the others
To be honest ... I am rather surprised about this discussion, as I never have believed that you have to be aggressive and selfish to make it as an entrepreneur (I know plenty of examples!). Successful entrepreneurs need to be passionate, be able to listen to feedback and ask the right questions, be pro-active, be organised, focused and self motivated.
More and more I believe that people will only buy from people the know, trust and like. And that means that you have to be out there in an honest, reliable way, doing those things that you do best!
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Permalink Reply by David Parrish on -
Hi Patricia
I absolutely agree!
Here's a blog about the importance of being liked and trusted as well as respected.
Best wishes
Dave
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Permalink Reply by Deborah Henry-Pollard on -
Hi, David,
This is all so true - I work with creative people who often feel they have to be like those business stereotypes we see on television. As they don't conform to that image, they resign themselves to not being successful (even their idea of what "successful" is can be skewed). I encourage them to see that the skills and qualities which make them creative in their practice are the same as they need to make them successful in their business.
Patricia, I agree with you completely!
Best,
Deborah
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Permalink Reply by web2.0 on -
Thanks for this article David, I find it a really good starting point to read and follow the links as listed.
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Permalink Reply by Mark McGuinness on -
Thanks David, wholeheartedly agree with this.
To me, being an entrepreneur is about taking a creative approach to the business itself, and using it as a way of creating value and delight for as many people as possible.
I love doing the artistic creativity as well, but it doesn't have to be an either/or decision. Each type of creativity is rewarding and a great medium for self-expression.
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Permalink Reply by Rachael Oliver on -
Hi David!
I agree with this totally, when talking to people from outside of the Creative Industries, it is very aggressive. When writing my business plan it's all about researching your competitors and finding a way to be different or to be better than them. I am a firm believer in Artistic Collaboration and so I do not believe I have competitors as such. Yes there are other artists working in the city but I would rather work with them and make sure the art is getting out there. Surely we can work together as mature, intelligent professionals instead of cutting each others heads off in order to get ahead.
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Permalink Reply by sarah davenport on -
I think we need to look at the way we do business in a more positive way. If people treated people as companies commonly treat companies, we would all be cannibals. By supporting a more constructive approach to working, encouraging facilities with great values, respecting individual differences and celebrating great talent we can ring the change to establish a fairer, happier, varied and more productive business and creative world
© 2012 Created by David Parrish.
