5 Entrepreneurial Skills To Pick Up… Right Now

BY Jack Liu Aug. 17, 2010 21 Comments

One of the things that I try to instill into the mindset of the teen entrepreneurs on my site is that entrepreneurship can be practiced everyday. As the picture indicates, practicing being an entrepreneur propels you to be a successful entrepreneur. So how exactly can you practice those skills now? Below are some really practical tips on doing just that, based on my experience.

The other day while waiting to see Inception, I used my negotiation skills to get us pass the line of people who had to wait to get in. We had arrived 40 minutes early because we knew the movies was going to be packed. The showing from the last showtime hasn’t even finished yet. Deciding it was not worth waiting around for that long, we walked around the mall. We came back but they wouldn’t let us in because we had food in our hands. This was now 30 minutes before movie started. We finished our food quick and try to go in. By now, the line to get into the theaters had started. We knew the guy at the door probably would not let us just walk in like we did before. He would look at our tickets and send us to the line. But then my entrepreneurial mindset kicked in.

Negotiating

I quietly went to the guy at the door and explained how we were just in 5 minutes ago but had to finished our food outside. Seeing that I wasn’t trying to fool him (and mock him later), he let us in. What did that do for us? For one, it helped us get in front of 50 people who were all trying to get the prime seats. And also, your friends think you’re cool because you just talked your way into something that they wouldn’t have otherwise. Negotiating is just one skill every entrepreneur needs to possess. You don’t just pull it out of your sleeves at the negotiating table. No, you make it a daily skill you practice at. Here are some other entrepreneurial skills you can practice every day.

Business Networking

We’re taking about making connection with someone who can potentially help you in your business or vice verse. Let me just say, business networking is no exactly the easiest thing to do. There is definitely the fear and rejection factor. You can practice this however by trying to be friendly to people you just meet. Say more than the usual “hello, bye” to the cashier. Ask your dentist or doctor questions that let them be the expert. If you’re on Twitter, respond or direct message someone and then bring the conversation onto email. That’s how I been business networking lately.

Writing

Fact is, writing is a very important skill to have as an entrepreneur. Who will write your business plan? Who will start pumping out content on your blog? Sure, you can hire someone but how do you know their writing is written well (not good)? So go practice it, everyday. Write in your own personal blog. Guest post on others, as I am doing. Your writing will only improve over time.

Public Speaking

This list doesn’t get any easier does it? Can I just say that I was terrible at items 1-4 so far. I never thought I would ever speak out in public. But soon enough, I will be presenting my business to many attendees. I had some practice. I practiced talking in front of people at work, to students, and even at my church. Don’t leave until the last minute before you start brushing up on public speaking. Here’s one trick that my coach has taught me. I know hardly anyone does this, because even after told to, I still don’t. Practice saying things to yourself in front of a mirror. Practice your elevator speech. And then keep doing it for 30 minutes. Find things you can improve on repeat. Notice the speed, tone and gesturing.

Delegating

A successful entrepreneur needs to delegate, and do it well. So how can you practice this everyday? It might be worth the investment to put down $100-$500 to practice the art of delegating. I only recommend this if you don’t already have some way to practice this. I did not so this comes from my experience. If you’re a blogger, put down $100 and get a freelancer to write 20 articles for you. Delegate as much as you can- the keyword research, the tagging, the image selection, and the article submitting. Another option might be to delegate admin tasks to a virtual assistant. This is what Tim Ferris talked about in his book, The 4-Hour Work Week.

Reading this is nice, but it’s action that matters. Put these things into practice, and do it daily. When you need these skills, you’ll be glad you practiced them ahead of time.

Entrepreneurship

characteristics, entrepreneur, skills

http://www.making-your-own-website.com Nabeel | Create Your First Website

Hi,

Great advice. I really like your example of negotiating. The same method can be applied in business situations.

Kindest,
Nabeel

http://www.teenbusinessforum.com Jack Liu

Thanks Nabeel. Do you have any examples where you negotiated, whether in business or elsewhere?

http://www.megabizflakes.com Samuel

Every entrepreneur must posses an entrepreurial skill if he or she wants to succeed! Nice post man kip d gud work up.

http://www.teenbusinessforum.com Jack Liu

Thanks Sam. Not many people realize we can practice those skills everday.

http://marketify.com Mike

Delegating is an art because if you don’t know how to delegate properly, you may end up not having time for family and for yourself.

I recommend some reading such as “If you want to done it right, you don’t have to do it alone” It’s a book and a should-read

http://www.teenbusinessforum.com/forums Jack

Excellent point about not having time with family. Only way entrepreneurs can spend time with family is to delegate well as you mention. Thanks for the book recommendation.

http://www.eyenoxmedia.nl Robin

Great list, love the basic setup, i just want to add two things. Work on your convidence, a lot can be done if you are showing that your nerves, like entering a vip bar. If you know your sepose to be there, your bodylanguage will reflect that.

That brings me to the second thing, try finding some tips, ebooks or video tutorials on the internet about bodylanguage. This will help you tremedesly as a entrepreneur.

Good look everyone.

http://www.teenbusinessforum.com Jack

Hi Robin,
Also a great tip about the body language. Do you have any specific ones that you found were helpful?

Sajib

Public speaking is a must, I believe. My damn bad luck, I don’t have that thing.

http://www.teenbusinessforum.com Jack

Sajib,
Yeah, it’s a must. Everyone’s got it. This is coming from someone who was termed “shy” 5 years ago. It all comes down to practice.

Blinkky

All the skill are very important=)
http://www.4x4golfcarts.net Becky

My husband does this every time that we go out of the house. He has gotten us into places and saved us alot of money. He always says, “all they can say is no and no only means I do not know enough about what you are in need of.” This works for him alot but, I can not do what he does. It is just not in me.

http://www.teenbusinessforum.com Jack

Hi Becky,
He’s right (probably don’t want to admit that). I have to admit. If I don’t appreciate what that person is trying to practice, I get annoyed. I also wouldn’t want someone else to be practicing their negotiation skills when I’m with them. You are right also. I don’t like to negotiate on price as much as on things that do not have a set price.

http://rolandmillward.com Roland Millward

Hi Jack

The tip about standing in front of a mirror is something that I have always recommended that my public speaking students practice. Also imagine the audience to whom you will be speaking and the venue if you know it.

It all helps.

Roland

http://www.teenbusinessforum.com Jack

Hi Roland,
It’s good to have a public speaking coach back me up on what I said. I think it must have something to do with the fact that we don’t like to hear our own voices. Come on, we all need to admit that (same for me). That’s why we hate to practice public speaking, even in front of a mirror. Haha, your last blog post title is funny. In short, my answer is yes, only the brave can be public speakers. Or at least the ones brave enough to receive rejections.

http://www.dennisedell.com/about Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing

If you consider delegating similar to outsourcing, then I understand completely. I wasted at least the first couple years being unnecessarily stubborn and cheap about it.

http://www.teenbusinessforum.com Jack

Dennis,
I hear you and relate to that COMPLETELY. When Tim Ferris first came out with 4-Hour Work Week and challenged his readers to start outsourcing, even admin tasks, I thought heck no that’s too expensive. Well, not that I’m an entrepreneur, I’m trying to accelerate my learning as much as possible.

Kris

I think delegating is the most important point. If you can master that skill then you are on your way

http://www.teenbusinessforum.com Jack

Agreed Kris. Are you doing anything to gain on that skill?

http://www.OneStopWebSupport.com Jeff Baas

Excellent article. I’ve seen lots of articles that list characteristics and skills in a vacuum. It’s like they’re saying that if you have them, you’re in, and if you don’t, you might as well give up even trying to be an entrepreneur.

Kudos on actually getting into things a person can do to develop the characteristics and skills they need!
Clinton Skakun

This is a great list, I think people management/firing and hiring is a good skill to have as well. There are times in your business when you’ll need to fire and hire, I don’t think it’s a easy or fun precess. But it’s most likely a skill you need to learn, as a business owner.

-Clinton