CHARACTERISTICS

OF AN
ENTREPRENEUR
There are 21 entrepreneurial core competencies
according to Nelson and Nguiro (1987)

1) Initiative
does things before being
asked
acts to extend the
business into new areas,
products & services
2) Sees and Acts on
opportunities
 acting on new
business
opportunities
 unusual
opportunities to
obtain financing,
equipment, land,
work space
3) Persistence
takes repeated or
different actions to
overcome
obstacles
takes action in
the face of
obstacles
4) Info seeking
market
research,
analysis or
investigation
5) Concern for high quality of work
desire to produce or sell a top or better
quality product or service
6) Commitment to work contract
makes personal sacrifice or spend
extraordinary effort to complete a job
7) Efficiency orientation
 find ways to do things faster at
least cost
8) Systematic planning
develop plans that anticipate
obstacles
9) Problem solving
generates new ideas or innovative
solutions
10) Self confidence
expressing own ability to complete a task
or meet a challenge
11) Expertise
possess strong technical expertise in area
of business
12) Recognizing own limitations
explicitly states a personal limitations
13) Persuasion
capacity to convince someone to buy
a product or service or provide
financing
14) Use of influence strategies / business
contacts development
uses strategy to influence or persuade
others
15) Assertiveness
confronts problems with others directly. Tell
others what they have to do. Reprimands or
disciplines those failing to perform as
expected.
16) Credibility, integrity, sincerity
honesty to others or fairness in
dealing with others
17) Concern for employee’s welfare
benefits, fair wage rate
18) Monitoring
personally monitors all aspect of the
business ensuring that all tasks will be
completed and meet standards
19) Recognizing importance of business
relationships
long term goodwill
20) Building capital
 saves money in order to invest in business
21) Concern for the image of products/
services
product superiority and liability
taking into consideration the power of word
of mouth in spreading information about the
products and services
Thank you for listening!