What is enterprise?
Enterprise is a set of special qualities: the willingness to take risks and to try out new ideas; the readiness to be creative and to seize the initiative; the confidence to get on with doing something without waiting to be told when you see an opportunity come up.
An entrepreneur is someone who gets a business going and runs it for themselves. They raise the money, buy the equipment, employ the staff, sort out marketing and advertising and generate new ideas. Entrepreneurs are willing to risk losing money, because they know that the rewards of running a successful business are worth it.
Why does Enterprise matter to me?
Entrepreneurs often get into the news stories. Not only do they lead successful lives, with a few of them earning great personal wealth and gaining celebrity status, but their achievements also add to the overall wealth of the nation.
But we can't all be entrepreneurs – there are many other ways to make a living. So why does enterprise matter to everyone, even those of us who aren’t aiming to run our own businesses?
Because enterprise is about a set of personal qualities. It's about coping with uncertainty and change, solving problems, communicating well, and getting on with other people. These are great life skills to have, whether you're Alan Sugar running a company or organising a party for your friends.
