Great Entrepreneurs

What makes a great entrepreneur? Is it the intense drive, is it the unflagging curiosity, is it the fact they see things others can’t or is it because they are all hardworking? Is it education, is it destiny or just plain dumb luck? There is no one answer, but you can be sure it’s always a combination of those and other attributes. In almost all cases they are individuals that relentlessly pursue new opportunities, who turn their complete beings to the new opportunity at hand.

Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie, John D Rockefeller, Estee Lauder, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs all came of age and made their impact during a during a profound change in far reaching economic, technological and social change …. referred to as a revolution. The industrial revolution, the computer revolution, the information revolution and now we are entering the social revolution.

These great entrepreneurs have been labeled as being hands on,  driven by the minutia aspects, and fixated in all aspects of their businesses. They have focused on market research and product development, but most have listened; listened to their sixth sense about what their consumers might want, what might be of interest. Additionally, these people were able to consistently communicate their visions to others. Their products were viewed as revolutionary and magical, indicating the relationship between the old and the new, they all view the world as a better place.

Their individual impacts have been clearly noted in history, creating more opportunity, more commerce, and more ideas. Interestingly enough, they have all seen opportunity where others saw obstacles ….  as we are entering a new era of change, this social revolution, it will prove interesting to see what group, what company, what individual will arrive to lead us and guide us through this transition. Or, are we to truly see the impact of the social revolution when in fact there will be no one great leader. Instead, possibly hundreds of smaller, more specific, more targeted, or individually focussed entrepreneurs that can see the opportunities and become the heroes and leaders of the next 20 years.

Michael Bickerton, Raven5, May 2010

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