Comments on: 10 Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs

By: Earl Porterfield

Earl Porterfield — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:16:14 +0000

I think Robert Hacker’s 3rd thought is worth repeating:

3. Great entrepreneurs have over-sized egos but they inspire people rather than turn them off. Empathy is a key here.

“Empathy is key here.”

By: Paris Vega, Graphic & Web Designer

Paris Vega, Graphic & Web Designer — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:49:22 +0000

Zig Ziglar often points out that the key to success in life and business is The Golden Rule: “Do to others what you would want them to do to you”
Another way of saying it is, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” This is a great perspective to use when considering how to approach client relationships.

By: 10 Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs - Blog do Lala

10 Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs - Blog do Lala — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:05:17 +0000

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By: tpmcneal

tpmcneal — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:56:32 +0000

This is my first time here but I would like to define an entrepreneur as someone who isn't happy with the current offering or status of something and feels that there is a better way to do it, build it, bring it and aren't afraid to step out and get it done. I didn't use the word success because I think there are many great entrepreneurs who weren't successful but their thinking and challenging of what hasn't yet become has led others to what we in society would call 'successful'.

By: Rob Ianelli

Rob Ianelli — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:04:08 +0000

I agree with the above comment (Jared O'toole). It's clear that not every entrepreneur goes into a business "knowing" everything they will need. The truth is that "you can never go at anything alone" and expect the same results, if anything in the time you wish. I know nothing about CAD designing, but I have jumped head first into product development. Despite the common usage of all those "P's" I still really think the most important ones are "Passion & People". My passion has led me to seek out People who know more than I do, and through that, success is that much closer.

By: Jared O'Toole

Jared O'Toole — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:50:06 +0000

Passion would be my most important word from the 1st point.

"Knowing what they don't know"! It's not said enough. You have to understand your weaknesses and either fix them or find people to help with them. When you start a business you may not be able to hire people to fill the gaps so you might have to adjust your business model at 1st or focus on what you do best.

I know nothing about web design so I can't produce a website that looks and feels the way I want. So I focus on getting the functionality of the site, pumping out great content (what I do best) and if the idea starts to move I can hire someone down the road to fix the site up.

By: Gopal

Gopal — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:08:49 +0000

All great points. To me anyone who dreams big and works incredibly hard and smart while displaying strong leadership qualities is an entrepreneur. People sometimes wrongly label such individuals as selfish or lusting for power/money but more often than not they are simply misunderstood.

This world was built by visionaries who persevered despite great adversity and took many others to the top right along with them. This is team work and every team needs a leader. Entrepreneurs are trail blazers who ultimately strive for freedom. Onwards and upwards!

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:24:41 +0000

I think another trait is understanding both that you have to pay for things, but also that you shouldn't pay for everything.

A perfect example is PR - something that could be huge for an entrepreneurial business if they get a good story. But entrepreneurs have either refused to pay for publicists, or retained worthless publicists who don't generate them much (but they still have to pay the retainer). This is the perfect example of the type of entrepreneurial issue that you can solve through the rise of web services. Like, PublicityGuaranteed.com only charges when the articles get placed.

And it's not just PR, there are a lot of tools that are pay-for-performance like that which are great for entrepreneurs.

So, the entrepreneur needs to be able to take a risk sometimes, but not to waste money. It's a classic trait of a successful entrepreneur.

By: Tim Berry

Tim Berry — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:54:09 +0000

Thanks Robert, and thanks for the initial challenge too. All 3 of your points belong on this list for sure; although the third one troubles me. I think sometimes the vision — you call it large vision — can push to make up for a just-normal-size ego. Maybe. Tim

By: Robert Hacker

Robert Hacker — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:50:18 +0000

Given that I may have started this post, let me supplement your list with three thoughts.

1. Great entrepreneurs that build billion dollar companies pursue large visions with little concern for the effect on their net worth. It's all about achieving their vision.

2. Great entrepreneurs are very analytical when it comes to the key growth drivers. Maybe not universally analytical but where it counts. (May just be your planning point restated.)

3. Great entrepreneurs have oversized egos but they inspire people rather than turn them off. Empathy is a key here.

In summary, I like your post. Well done.