Professionalisation

For the last module of the first semester I was chairman 1, this meant that I had to prepare the lesson. It was a big module to prepare but this was good because I had a lot of information to make an interactive session with. We did some fun interactive exercises where I made sure everyone was involved. When everyone participates we are able to learn out of each others opinions and expertise.

Test 1: Managerial skills

My score was 70, which means I am on my way to being a successful manager. The test shows how good or bad you are doing on particular subjects. You can see that at the moment I am not so good at managing discipline and dealing with conflict. This test was a good way to find out on what aspects I will have to work on.

Test 2: Entrepreneurial self-assessment test

Test 3: Four leadership styles

1. --> C | 7. --> C

2. --> A | 8. --> B

3. --> D | 9. --> D

4. --> B | 10. --> C

5. --> C | 11. --> C

6. --> D | 12. --> B

The outcome of this test says that I am a seller/ coacher. This means I am a leader-driven person. Being good in giving commands and trying to sell co-workers another way of working, explaining and clarifying decisions. It occurred to me that a lot of students out of my class where also seller/ coacher. Which means I definitely chose the right higher education course. We are all having the same thoughts and this is intrestring when we have group assignments or have to help each other.

Am I an entrepreneur or am I an entrepreneurial manager?

The first thing I questioned myself about was; what is the difference between an entrepreneur and entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship has traditionally been defined as the process of designing, launching and running a new business, which typically begins as a small business, such as a startup company, offering a product, process or service for sale or hire, and the people who do so are called entrepreneurs.

Now, am I an entrepreneur?

I find this a hard question to answer, because you have to take a lot of factors into account. As a student I am still in a learning procedure. That is why I do not feel myself yet developed enough to start a business at the moment. But I do find myself innovative and smart enough to be able to bring up some good ideas in the future to start up a business. Despite all of these competences I am not mature enough to really begin a business on my own and keeping all factors in mind, like bookkeeping, marketing, selling and designing.

Because of the swot-analysis we made in the beginning of the year, I know my strengths and weaknesses, this will help me in adapting my business idea's to a working and successful entrepreneurship in the future. My opinion on managers and entrepreneurs is: you have to be born to be a entrepreneur but you can be trained to be a successful manager.

On the other side, I see myself as an entrepreneurial person. A first step of being entrepreneurial is following this course International Business Management.

Inspiring entrepreneur

Jack Ma

Why am I inspired by Jack Ma?

He is founder of one of the world's largest technology companies. Although he had to deal with a lot of difficulties in his life, he still pushed through to the top. He applied for Harvard 10 times and was 10 times rejected, he wanted to have a job so he applied for KFC, out of 24 candidates, Jack was the only one who got rejected. What also inspires me is when he got introduced for the first time with the internet, his first search query was beer. He didn't find anything related to beer but also didn't find anything about China. Because of those 2 quick search query's he decided to make an internet page about China.

Do I wish to be a similar manager/ entrepreneur?

I find it fascinating Jack developed something out of nothing. He wasn't born in a rich family and he didn't own a computer until he was 33, yet he established a great online empire. If I would come up with a great idea and if I would be able to bring it in the market. Then I wish to be a similar manager to Jack Ma. He shows a lot of respect to his staff and finds it very important that there is equality. Almost 50% of his employees are females. This because he believes girls have more empathy with his customers. "Happy staff makes happy clients, which means more sales." He said during an interview.

Do I have the same characteristics?

I do think I lack some of his characteristics, like his perseverance. I would never try 10 times, I would rather look for another option.