How I Leverage the Workplace to Develop an Entrepreneurial Spirit and Mind
Our workplace = Entrepreneur’s College
Not everyone will have a life-long career.
Sounds sad, right? But if that is the reality, then that is. We have jobs. They expire as we age.
Only lucky ones with a Midas Touch reach the top of the corporate pyramid.
It sounds negative, I know. But I choose to see the brighter side of things.
You see… the workplace represents a treasure trove hidden in plain sight. It is there for us to see, only if we see it for what it is.
For me, it is about my entrepreneurial spirit and mindset.
My workplace cultivates it.
The Workplace is a Breeding Ground for Future Entrepreneurs
There is no such thing as an Entrepreneur’s College.
Our workplace comes close.
Here’s why.
- We learn how to manage expectations from all corners.
- We observe how companies leverage technology.
- We practice solving complex problems.
- We develop work commitment.
- We learn to work with others.
Our workplace is a snapshot of a business. We may change industries, sectors, and companies, but we cannot run away from sales, marketing, operations, finance, and projects.
Of course, there are human interactions with clients, bosses, business partners, team members, and venture capitalists.
The best place to learn about a business is to be in one. No brainer, right?
Think Big. Start Small. Because Small Is Doable
My first venture wasn’t a 500-employee big business.
It started small. It started with me.
I know a 1-person business works. That is why I am a proponent of it.
It is easier to start with yourself. You need not convince anyone why you are doing it. You know your entrepreneurial whys.
It is simpler, too.
If you have those entrepreneurial bubbles above your head, then,
- Focus on understanding all domains in your workplace,
- Observe how various forms of technology are utilized,
- Scrutinize all expenses that cross your desk.
Your entrepreneurial mind starts expanding.
Bit by bit.
Soon, the blueprint for your 1-person business will crystalize in your head. You know what to focus on and what not to.
Now, you may be asking this question.
“Why create a 1-Person business? Why not 2? Or 5?”
Why I Endorse a 1-Person Business
Because this is, hands down, the easiest business to create.
Think about it this way. What do you hate most in your workplace?
Go ahead. Make your list.
This is mine.
- Annoying clients.
- Ignorant supervisors.
- Instagram-addicted colleagues.
You won’t (really) complain about the creaking chair, wobbly table, and pigeon-holed cubicle, do you?
I left companies because of bosses and colleagues. Companies asked me to leave because I offended diamond clients. It’s all about the people.
When we are alone, that people equation goes away. Instead, the spotlight is on skills.
We want to learn how to,
- Networking, pitching, structuring, and closing deals from sales professionals,
- Keep customers from customer success teams,
- Solve complex issues like consultants.
Gaining experience in the workplace prompts relevant questions. It allows us to connect the dots.
- How do we get our customers?
- What happens after an order is placed?
- How do we fulfill our contract obligation?
- When do we collect the money? How much? And by who?
- What happens when the customer is late paying the bills? Do I follow up?
Start with questions. Then, leverage your workplace to seek the answers.
Next, scale it down to a 1-person viable business.
Leverage Technology. It Gives You Wings
Let me share a story.
I have 2 direct counterparts in Client Account A. Jane is tech-savvy. Justin is not.
Justin struggles a lot with software and mobile apps. He would run around, asking colleagues and me about Salesforce.
- “How do I create an opportunity?”
- “How do I create my customer data here?”
- “Salesforce is asking me for a verification code. Where do I find it?” (One-time password)
You can imagine the dread he goes through daily.
You can imagine the sense of dread his colleagues feel when Justin swings by their desks.
Jane, on the other hand, is self-sufficient.
- She goes to Hubspot to check what their lead is interested in based on their clicks.
- She goes to Salesforce customer status verification. New customer? Existing?
- She goes to SAP Ariba to check and approve the vendor’s payments.
- She analyzes the timesheet app to determine time spent on clients.
- She sets up Calendly for email integration to manage her day.
She knows what to do and how to get things done.
I agree. It takes time to understand and leverage technology to our advantage.
But it is worth it.
Jane is living proof of a 1-person business.
Scrutinize Expenses that Crosses Your Desk
I recommend you do this.
The biggest challenge any future entrepreneur has is managing spend. In the workplace, we spend without thinking, so long as there is approval and a need for it.
You don’t need me to tell you that a business dinner with a prospect can rack up to hundreds. We do it because we know the money returns to us.
Now, change your perspective.
What if this business is yours?
You start asking questions.
- “Do I need to spend so much on a dinner?”
- “How can I reduce local commute?”
- “Do I really need to pay for this?”
- “What should I be paying for instead?”
Scrutinizing expenses requiring my approval or endorsement got me thinking hard. I started forming, deliberating, and answering questions in my head.
What can I do to minimize the necessary expenses?
Or.
How can I pass such expenses to the customer?
Or.
The monthly rental is expensive. Can I get a desk at the client’s office to reduce rental?
Or.
What is the cost of closing an office in the future if I want to set up one today?
Keep track of your questions. Make notes. Research the market.
You will drastically reduce the cost of setting up a business from Day 0. That sets you up for success.
Remember this.
- The lower your bills, the lower your stress.
- The lower your costs, the higher your profits.
Your 1-person business will survive years from now.
Parting Keynotes
Small is the new black. I stand by it.
In fact, go as small as you can. Go 1-person. Scale the revenue as high as you can as a 1-person business.
You will be happy.
This is because,
- You manage yourself.
- You keep the money.
- You have control.
These are valuable lessons we can extract from our workplace after deliberate involvement and reflection.
I focus on them.
You should, too.
As a content contributor, I write my daily life observations and business exposure. Our life experience is the bedrock of our unique perspectives.