Factors Paper - Martin Limgenco

Martin R. Limgenco                                                                                                             S014707

"What qualities of an entrepreneur do you possess?"

And

"What qualities of an entrepreneur are not yet with you?"

According to an article found in http://www.entrepreneur.com/, here are some qualities/characteristics that successful entrepreneurs commonly posses:

1.    They do what they enjoy.

2.    They take what they do seriously.

3.    They plan everything.

4.    They manage their money wisely.

5.    They ask for the sale.

6.    They remember that it is all about the customer.

7.    They are shameless self-promoters.

8.    They project a positive business image.

9.    They know their customers.

10. They use technology to level the playing field.

11. They build a topnotch business team.

12. They are known experts.

13. They create a competitive advantage for their business.

14. They invest in themselves.

15. They are accessible.

16. They have rock solid reputations.

17. They sell the benefits of their products.

18. They are involved.

19. They grab attention.

20. They are masters in the art of negotiations.

21. Their workspaces are designed for success.

22. They are organized.

23. They take time off from their work.

24. They limit the number of hats they wear.

25. And finally, they follow up constantly.

This is an extremely long list, some of the numbers in my opinion is common sense, but maybe it is common for me because I am already familiar and actually doing some of them on a daily basis. Being a sales person, I know that number's 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17, 20, 22 and 25 are all necessary traits to sell your product successfully. Knowing how the industry works and what the behavior and characteristics of the customers are, are the primary things a salesperson must know and must always take into consideration when planning ahead. Otherwise, you might as well get a coin and toss it in the air, and choose head's or tail's. Mastering yourself, not being shy, combined with the ability to communicate your mind are musts, in order to be able to negotiate successfully. As a salesperson, I can say that I am aware and I possess the numbers I previously enumerated.

However, as I mentioned earlier, some of the numbers seemed to be common sense for me, because some were the opposite. Some in my opinion, like numbers: 11, 12 and 21, I understand, however, in my current state are not applicable to myself. Since I am no expert, nor do I command a topnotch business team, and my working environment is the field wherein I sell and hold limited control over. Maybe in the future I will be able to apply those numbers, but as of now, I cannot apply them strictly speaking, because I am limited with what I am now.

Out of all the number mentioned, I believe number 1 is the most innately important and primal in order to succeed. We must enjoy what we are doing. I remember when I was in college, my philosophy teacher once said, "Lucky are those who have their passion as their profession." At first, it didn't make sense to me, but looking back now, after having worked for several companies, I see it true. We must enjoy what we do or else, it would seem fruitless or senseless. Most of the common reasons for one leaving his/her job is that "they do not enjoy the working environment" or "it is too tiresome", well I say, they simply do not enjoy what they are doing. I remember when I was in college, I played for the volleyball team of Ateneo and we had everyday training that lasted for 5 hours at least, 3 hours shy from what I do now. But back then, I didn't see it as work, for the simple fact that I enjoyed what I was doing (although technically speaking, it was indeed work). Now, I look at my current state, I do enjoy my job, but when I'm in "training" or as we call it, seminars, I feel a heavy weight upon my shoulders, and I count the hours down to the minutes and down to the seconds and yearn for the dismissal from the trainer/s.

Sometimes I laugh, because I do find my situation funny. I yearn (and I know I am not alone) for the days when things were "simpler", when we were back in school studying and my biggest problem was how I would pass the exams. But when you look at it, the answer is right in front of me, I simply do not enjoy what I am doing. So I guess, until I find that something that I enjoy doing (although sometimes I say to myself that I have found it already, but am afraid of pursuing it for the lack of monetary return that it yields), I will probably stick to what I am doing now. To grind it out for the money, until I save enough to do what I want to do, hopefully.  3.0