7 Traits of Incredibly Successful Entrepreneurs –

First, what exactly is an entrepreneur?

 “An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.”

And this would be kind of correct.

So, you’re an entrepreneur in-waiting, I’ve got a list of  7 traits of incredibly successful entrepreneurs for you.

The question is:  How many of these do you have?  Well, let’s find out..

1. Curiosity

Yes, curiosity.  And no, not like “curiosity killed the cat”.  Goodness.  Let’s not get carried away here.   You don’t want to do something to get yourself killed.  But if you think about it  – entrepreneurs are curious little devils, aren’t they?

Every true entrepreneur I’ve ever met has been full of curiosity.

Always wondering about things.  Taking stuff apart to see how it works.  Asking people questions about their likes and dislikes.  Questioning why we keep doing things the same old way when maybe there is a better way.  And on and on. So, are you a curious one?  In my mind, you’ve got to be.  And here’s the fun part on curiosity: Curiosity means asking questions.  Asking questions inspires learning.  Learning births total domain knowledge and customer understanding.  Total domain knowledge and customer understanding leads to one rockin’ entrepreneur.

2. Bursting with Creativity

They’re like two peas in a pod.   Curiosity + Creativity. Not only do you have to be curious as an entrepreneur, you must also be creative.  Isn’t that the essence of entrepreneurism?  You know, to create stuff? New products.  New solutions.  New ways.  Willing to think of all possibilities.  Almost like a child. Seriously, our little children are more creative then we are sometimes.  You know, drawing cows jumping over the moon and making play-houses out of sticks and rocks. Just resolve to be like them.

 “The ability to be creative as an entrepreneur is a must”.

As you become more curious by asking questions and learning, it actually opens your mind to creativity.

3. Clarity of Vision

We’ve all heard this one:  “Well, that guy is just a real visionary.  Entrepreneurial genius at its best.” Big picture vision is a funny thing.  I think you either have it, or you don’t.  You either see beyond the trees and into the forest, or you don’t. You simply need vision as an entrepreneur.  And more importantly?  Clarity around that vision. Crucial to have a crystal clear vision of who you are; what you want to do; and where you want to go. And the funny thing about getting clarity around your vision?  That’s where it starts.  In the beginning.  Just you and your clear vision.

Think of it as a beacon of light.  Guiding you on your journey.  And without it?  Smack dab in no-man’s land a thousand miles from where you wanted to be.

4. Ability to Communicate

You can have the brightest idea on the planet.  The next great invention to rival Edison.  An idea so powerful it blows anything Steve Jobs ever came up with away.

But if you can’t communicate it?  Might as well pack your bags and go home.

The ability to communicate effectively is huge for you and I as entrepreneurs.  We must be clear; concise; easy to understand.  Both in writing and verbally. Why is this so important?  Well, because communication affects influence.  Communication affects relationships.  Communication affects results. The really cool thing about communication is you can learn how to do it better.  It’s a necessary trait, but one you can master with practice.  Not a good communicator?  Practice starts at 8am tomorrow morning my friend…

5. Leadership Acumen

You must be able to lead them.  Now again the great thing about the leadership trait is you can learn to do better.  If you stink as a leader, don’t fret.  You can learn how to be great.  You can learn how to lead with fire and passion.

6. Loving Risk and Taking Action

Now it’s getting fun.  Risk.

Wow.  Love that word.  Just saying it brings a whole host of feelings…

Maybe you feel excited when you hear it?  Sitting there conjuring up images of fast cars and base jumping.  Get your heart pounding?  Can’t wait to strap it on and feel the rush of adrenalin pouring through your blood?  Yikes.  You’re a shoe-in for an entrepreneur.

Or, perhaps the feeling crawling up the back of your neck is one of fear:  Fear of stepping out.  Fear of making a fool of yourself.  Fear of risking — and then losing it all.

Here’s the bottom line:  Your tolerance for risk has to be low.  It doesn’t matter if you figure out ways to “mitigate” risk (which you should), or you spend 10 years in the planning stage of business (plan yes, 10 years – no), in the end; you have to get off your tail and take action.  Period.

Entrepreneurs take risks.  They take action.  Each one may have a slightly different risk meter, but when the time comes; they step out of their comfort zone and risk through taking action.

I mean seriously — your company is not going to build itself while you sit there on the couch eating bon-bons.

So get up; throw the bon-bons in the trash; and do something.  Will you?

7. Tenacious Beyond Belief

True entrepreneurs never, never, never quit.  Never.

Like a bull-dog latched onto a bone.  Like a mountain lion with its jaws around the neck of a deer.  You’re not prying any of this loose.  And the same goes for trying to hold a good entrepreneur down.  Not going to happen.

 “The number one trait you find in all successful entrepreneurs is tenacity.  Just the sheer will to keep going, even when things look impossible.”

Are things going to look impossible for you as an entrepreneur?  You better believe it.  Will you feel like giving up and throwing in the towel?  Absolutely.  But do you need to fight off the urge to quit and keep pressing on?  YES!

Here’s the deal on this last trait:  You can probably squeeze by with mediocre levels of each of the other traits on this list.  But if you’re a day late and dollar short in the tenacity department?  You’re as good as done.  You’re pretty much dry toast.

Why?  Well because you quit silly.  You gave up.  You handed your entrepreneur badge and gun back in.

So keep fighting when you feel like quitting.  Be tenacious.  You’ll get there.  You’ll be the best entrepreneur you can be.  

The 6 Scary Truths About Becoming an Entrepreneur

There's a haunting, scary, messy truth about being an entrepreneur. Those who dream about entrepreneurship think about the freedom of being able to chase big dreams, the thrill of building empires and the joy of making a mark on the world by doing something better than any other person in a field has yet done.
There’s something to all this. Entrepreneurship is indeed fun, rewarding and freeing. But there’s a back side to entrepreneurship that nobody likes to talk about much. Being an entrepreneur can be grueling, spirit breaking and downright tough. I hope you have thick skin. You’ll need it. Here are the six scary truths of entrepreneurship:

1. You are not your own boss.
I wanted to be my own boss, just like millions of other entrepreneurs. What I soon learned was that great entrepreneurs are never the boss, except perhaps in title. There are more than 300 sales professionals and staff members at the company I own -- and they are the bosses.
Awesome businesses are built by listening to the people who make the business entity run. Anytime one of my people calls me “the boss,” I quickly remind that individual that I am directed by my team. I am their employee, the one employee who has 300 bosses who help lead the ship.

2. You won’t be the highest paid.
So many new entrepreneurs have grandiose visions of making huge amounts of money. Perhaps some will. For most, though, it will take years, probably decades. To build an amazing empire, you need the best sales team and staff, and this will require you to invest funds.
When you find a person who can take your empire to the next level, you will be the first to give up your own paycheck to hire them because that’s what entrepreneurship is about. Your business will take on a life of its own almost like a child. You will want more than anything for it to succeed and flourish, even if it’s at your own expense.
So you will sacrifice and happily eat your $1 ramen noodles in the quiet of your home so that you can hire the cream of the crop to help you build your business bigger. You will sacrifice today for a better tomorrow because that’s what great entrepreneurs do.

3. Work-life balance is impossible.
In the building stages of a business, seeking work-life balance is futile. Work will become your life. When you are at home working in your yard, at your kid’s soccer game or getting ready to turn in at night, you’ll be thinking about your business.

You’ll wake in the middle of the night worrying that you should have handled something better or jumped on an opportunity faster. There is no 9-to-5 to building a business, only 24/7. Yes, you will spend time at home and even on vacation, but you will always be on, thinking about your business.
I love running my company, but I’m the first to admit that my house is always a mess, my car makes me look like a hoarder with constant remnants of the last two week’s worth of appointments, and sometimes I go to bed in the clothes I wore to work because I’m so tired that changing into pajamas is just not an option.

4. A hidden support team is oh, so very critical.
A great company has a great support system, including executive, administrative, production, manufacturing and additional staff. That’s the official company. A great entrepreneur also has an amazing support staff outside the office, perhaps a spouse, kids and friends. Your family better have a 100 percent buy-in to your dream if you're going to be an entrepreneur or your business or family will suffer.
My real estate empire is a by-product of the support I have at home and the friendships I’ve cultivated over a lifetime. The foundation of my work life is family members who understand that I sometimes have to field phone calls all weekend and attend networking events most evenings and that a recruiting appointment will often trump a homemade meal. Time is always carved out each week for them because they are the why behind everything I do. But when you have not just one boss but hundreds, an entrepreneur and the family that supports her are required to make occasional sacrifices.

5. Someone won’t like you.
The hardest lesson for me was this: The bigger the empire, the more enemies are made. For most entrepreneurs, it's a tough thing to realize. That’s not to say you won’t have legions of supporters because you absolutely will. But there will always be people who won’t like the way you do things, the decisions you make or the direction you're headed in. For some entrepreneurs, this is spirit breaking.

You will spend a big part of your life pouring every ounce of your being into the company. You will give back to your sales team, staff and the company in general until it hurts. Sometimes you’ll make decisions in the best interest of the company but not necessarily of the employees.
You’ll make decisions that are in the best interest of one set of employees but not others. You’ll cut out services because you have to cut costs. There will always be someone who doesn’t like what you’re doing, and it will hurt.
Your business is something that you gave life to and it is in that way your baby. Not much that will hurt you like someone putting down your business or saying that you just don’t care about the people who make it up.

6. Perception matters.
Even when your business is not doing amazing, act like it is. Smile. Perception matters. Perception, in fact, matters more than reality. Six months ago, I rebranded my business. It was the most difficult time of my entire business career. I lost one quarter of sales force because these staffers didn’t believe in me or my new brand.
There were nights when I went home and cried myself to sleep, and yet I put a smile on my face and went back to the office the next day ready to take on the world. In six short months I recruited as many new salespeople as the number of those who left. I can now say confidently that the rebranding was the best move I ever made in my career.

The hard truth is that there will always be days when you have to use every ounce of your being to put on a smile to tell the world that everything’s OK. I promise, if you do, one day you’ll wake up and everything really will be OK.

Are you an Entrepreneur or Wantrepreneur?

It seems like everyone is calling themselves an entrepreneur these days, chasing the glory and status of being the next big success story.
The truth of the matter is, there are hundreds and thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs who think they have a winning idea but never manage to put it into action and go on to growing a successful business. I call these people "wantrepreneurs"

There are many key characteristics that separate entrepreneurs from wantrepreneurs, but over the years I’ve realized these are the three most common traits:

1. Passionate about business
You hear so many entrepreneurs say you need to be passionate about the business you’re in but rarely do you hear them say be passionate about business as a whole.

A slight shift in language but a huge difference to how you play the game of business. Those who have achieved success rarely are passionate about one particular industry as much as they are passionate about business.
To grow an idea from conception to a successful, thriving business, you will need to convince investors, customers, partners and employees to believe in you and your vision. If you are not 100 percent convinced and passionate about your product or service, why should anyone else be?

Let me ask you a question: If you had all the money and time in the world would you still be dedicated and driven to grow your business? If the answer to this question is no, then call it quits right now. You will save yourself a lot of time, money and stress.
In my opinion all real entrepreneurs are driven by their passion and love for business, wantrepreneurs are driven by the idea of being an entrepreneur.

2. Take massive action
When it comes down to it, taking action is what really counts. Entrepreneurs take the leap of faith even when their website, prototype or product is not complete.

Don’t worry if you think you’re not ready, you’ll learn more by just doing than what you will ever read in a book. That textbook can’t prepare you for every scenario nor is it catered to your exact goals and vision of what you want.
Real entrepreneurs do what they say they’re going to do; wantrepreneurs talk about it but never really get started.
Don’t let yourself become paralyzed by information, take massive action.

3. Sacrifice
Wantrepreneurs have this idealistic vision of what it is like to be an entrepreneur. They might see it as the quickest way to get rich or the ability to set their own hours and be their own boss and not have to answer to anyone.

But not answering to anyone means you will need to be extremely disciplined and harder on yourself than any boss you’ve ever had in the past. Setting your own hours only means you’ll be pouring in more in the beginning, because you’ll be overflowing with ideas, tasks and projects that need to get done.
On the other hand, successful entrepreneurs use profit as a measuring scale of their own success, know the long hours they need to work to make it happen and understand that the only time you see the word shortcut before success is in the dictionary.

It’s ridiculous the roller coaster of emotions you have to go through in order to start, grow and eventually exit your own business.
You’ll have moments of total despair and frustration where you wonder if you were crazy to even attempt this, but you’ll also have insane highs where you feel like you’re on top of the world.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES

Making mistakes is a part of human life. It is not how strong or weak you are, don't worry if you make mistakes. Only people who try, and persevere, complete tasks and achieve success.
It is so comfortable to be passive, make no effort, and stick to the familiar. However, by doing so, we allow external influences shape your life.
Trying new things, and making changes, seem intimidating. It is more comfortable to suffer, complain, and stay in the same place.
Why Daring Is Intimidating?
You afraid you might make mistakes.
You are afraid to look ridiculous.
You want to avoid criticism.
There is a lack of self-esteem.
There is a lack of self-confidence.
If you wish to let the above list intimidate you, and therefore, be unhappy, complain, and stay where you are, this is your choice. However, if you want to live a greater life, you should consider taking a step beyond your fears and start daring.
It is not so difficult to do.
It is a matter of attitude. It is a matter of changing your mindset. As the saying goes, 'it is all in the mind'.
After the first step, it would seem less intimating to dare, even if you make mistakes and bad choices.
All people who achieved success, any kind of success, dared to try. They did mistakes, and they failed over and again, but they did not give up.
Where Can You Dare?
This depends on you. It is advisable to start with minor matters, and as you gain confidence, do bigger things.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Start learning a foreign language.
2. Go meet new people and friends.
3. Take a trip abroad.
4. Redecorate your home.
5. Ask your boss for a raise.
6. Start going to the gym.
Dare, don't be Afraid to Make Mistakes.
After gaining some experience you will feel more confident to dare handle bigger projects, such as:
1. Find a better job
2. Go back to college or start studying at the University
3. Make the move you always wanted, to a new neighborhood, a new city, or a different country
4. Start a business
5. Turn a hobby into a business
These are just a few of the things you can dare to do.
If you make mistakes, it's all right. Everyone make mistakes. Learn from them and go on. As said earlier, all successful people made mistakes, but they didn't let their mistakes discourage them or deter them.
It's quite simple, though not so easy to dare, and be afraid to make mistakes. This has nothing to do with finance, physical strength or education. It is all a state of mind. It is something inside you.
You need to find the strength and courage within you. You should learn to be courageous and daring, and do things, without the need to be pushed and motivated from the outside.
You have this strength within you, you only need to be conscious of it, and strengthen it. Affirmations , visualization, and inner strength development are the tools to do this.
Learn to be a doer, by taking the initiative and acting now, without procrastinating or hesitation. Start with simple little things to gain experience and confidence.
Can you learn to speak fluently a foreign language, without making some mistakes at first?
Can you become a great cook, without learning, cooking and experimenting, and making some mistakes along the way?
Can you create a successful business, without learning, investing, making mistakes, and trying again?
Can you become an expert in any field, before you had enough experience?
Don't worry if you make mistakes on the way. By making mistakes, you learn to improve and do better.
You just have to take action. It's not as difficult as it seems.

Tantrade yaunganisha wazalishaji 180 kwa wanunuzi 15

MAMLAKA ya Maendeleo ya Biashara Tanzania (TANTRADE) imefanikiwa kuunganisha zaidi ya wazalishaji 180 na wanunuzi 15 katika bidhaa mbalimbali ambazo ni korosho, ufuta, mboga na matunda, elimu na machapisho.

Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Viwanda na Biashara, Mussa Uledi alisema hayo wakati akifunga maonesho ya 39 ya biashara na kusema kuunganishwa huko kumefanyika katika mikutano ya kibiashara kwa washiriki wa maonesho hayo.

Alisema mazungumzo hayo ya kibiashara yafuatiliwe kwa kushirikiana na sekta binafsi ili yazae matunda.

Uledi alisema maonesho ya mwaka huu yamefana kutokana na maandalizi mazuri, bidhaa zenye ubora wa hali ya juu zilizotokana na ubunifu mkubwa kwa wazalishaji, utangazaji wa bidhaa na wataalamu wa masoko wenye kutoa maelezo fasaha kuhusu bidhaa na huduma zao.

Alisema amepata faraja kuwa na mabanda maalumu ya bidhaa za aTanzania kwa ajili ya kutangaza bidhaa za nchini, banda la asalina lile la elimu na kutoa ushauri wa kubainisha bidhaa zingine ili nazo zitafutiwe mabanda maalum ili zionekane na kutangazwa kwa lengo la kutafuta masoko.

Alisema serikali itaendelea kutoa ushirikiano ili maonesho hayo yaendelee kuwa na kiwango cha kimataifa kwani mafanikio ya maonesho hayo yanahitaji ushirikiano wa serikali na wazalishaji wa bidhaa na watumiaji.

Mkurugenzi wa TANTRADE, Jacqueline Maleko aliwashukuru washiriki wote na kuwakaribisha katika maonesho ya mwakani aliyoahidi kuwa bora zaidi.

TANZANIA YOUTH ICON KUWAWEZESHA VIJANA WA ZANZIBAR

Kituo cha huduma rafiki kwa vijana (#TAYI) kimewasaidia vijana baada ya kuwapatia mafunzo ya stadi za maisha, elimu ya uongozi, mitandao ya kijamii pamoja na elimu ya ujasiriamali. Mafunzo hayo yameendeshwa katika mwezi huu wa ramadhani kwa lengo la kuwajenga vijana uwezo.

Vijana wamepata nafasi ya kujifunza mambo mengi sana kama vile maadili ya uongozi na kiongozi bora, kujitambua, na njia za kubuni mawazo ya biashara na miradi yenye kutekelezeka. Katika mawazo ya biashara ambayo yaliibuka kutoka kwa vijana hao ni kilimo cha mboga mboga, ushonaji na ufumaji, ufugaji wa samaki n.k.

Changamoto kubwa zilizojitokeza katika mafunzo hayo ambazo ziliwasilishwa na wanafunzi ni kukosekana kwa vifaa vya kutosha vya kufundishia kama vile computer ambazo zilitumika kwa kiasi kikubwa kufundishia elimu ya mitandao ya kijamii, kukosekana kwa huduma ya Internet yenye nguvu, huduma ya vyoo, kukosekana kwa soko la kuuzia bidhaa amabazo zinatengenezwa kituoni hapo.

Vijana hao wanomba wadau mbali mbali kuweza kujitokeza na kuwasaidia ili waweze kutimiza malengo yao.

AMANA BANK YAWAELIMISHA WANAFUNZI WA ZANZIBAR UNIVERSITY

Benki ya kiislamu ya Amana Tanzania inayotoa huduma zake za fedha kwa kufuata misingi ya sheria ya dini ya kiislamu ambayo imeasisiwa na Qur'an pamoja na sunnah ya mtume (swalla llahu a'laihi wasallam). Imefanya semini juu ya mchango wa benki za kiislamu Tanzania na dunia kwa ujumla.

Pia ameelezea huduma zao wanazozitoa kwa wateja wao kama vile akaunti maalum ya hijja, akaunti ya mwanafunzi ambayo iliwavutia wanafunzi wa chuo hicho. Katika semina hiyo wanafunzi washiriki kutoka fani mbali mbali walipata fursa ya kuuliza maswali yaliyokuwa yakiwatanza kwa muda mrefu na kupata majibu ya papo kwa papo.

Wanafunzi ambao wanasoma fani ya Islamic Bank wamesema kwamba wamefurahi sana kupata ujio huo kwasababu ndio semina yao ya kwanza tangu kuanzishwa kwa fani hiyo katika chuo hicho.

Allah awabarik Amana Bank kwa kuonesha mashirikiano mazuri na Zanzibar University.

YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

HOW CAN ENTREPRENEURS CHANGE THE WORLD?

Do you remember when you were a kid and you thought you could do anything? You still can. Because a lot of what we consider impossible is easy to overcome. Because in case you haven't noticed, we live in a place where one individual can make a difference.
Want proof? Just look at the people who built our country: our parents, grandparents, our aunts, uncles. They were immigrants, newcomers ready to make their mark. Maybe they came with very little, or perhaps they didn't own anything except for a single brilliant idea.

These people were thinkers, doers, innovators until they came up with the name entrepreneurs. They change the way we think about what is possible. They have a clear vision of how life can be better for all of us, even when times are tough.

Right now, it's hard to see when our view is cluttered with obstacles, but turbulence creates opportunities for success, achievement and pushes us to discover new ways of doing things.

So what opportunities will you go after and why?
If you're an entrepreneur, you know that risk isn't the reward. No. The rewards are driving innovation, changing people's lives, creating jobs, fueling growth, and making a better world.
Entrepreneurs are everywhere. They run small businesses that support our economy, design tools to help you stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues around the world, and they're finding new ways of helping to solve society's oldest problems.

Do you know an entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurs can be anyone, even you. So seize the opportunity to create the job you always wanted. Help heal the economy. Make a difference. Take your business to new heights.
But most importantly, remember when you were a kid, when everything was within your reach, and then say to yourself quietly, but with determination: It still is.