Would you make a good entrepreneur? In this exercise, we will explore how individual attributes and characteristics contribute to entrepreneurial success. If you believe that you have the traits of a successful entrepreneur, would you be more effective working within a large firm or starting your own business? Complete the first stage of the exercise individually, then meet in small groups to discuss your answers.

Individual

Brainstorm a list of personal attributes or characteristics that could help (or hinder) a person’s success as an entrepreneur. Next, evaluate the importance of each item on your list. Finally, compare your prioritized list against your personal characteristics.

Do you think that you are a good candidate to be an entrepreneur? Why or why not?

Group

First, compare each person’s list of attributes and characteristics. Combine similar items and create a composite list.

Second, as a group, evaluate the importance of each item on the list. It is not important to rank order the characteristics. Rather, sort them into categories “very important,” “somewhat important,” and “minimally important.”

Then, discuss within your group which team member seems to be the best suited to be an entrepreneur. Create a brief profile of how to describe that person if he or she were applying for a job at an innovative company such as Google, Intel, or Motorola.

Whole Class

The instructor will ask for student volunteers to present their interview profiles.