What Does Business Mean?

A multimillionaire Huntington Hartford used to say: “A real lasting success is not achieved by those who are getting on well with bosses and always fulfill tasks scrupulously. Such people can manage to become no more than a high paid executors. Most millionaires are the people who do not like to take orders but prefer to have everything their own way.”

Paul Getty, one of the wealthiest persons in the world, said: “The only way to make really good money is to find your own niche and set up your own business. You will never earn much money working for someone else”

Following these words, hundreds of thousands people make a shot at business. Annually, tens of thousands small businesses and entrepreneurs are being registered all over the world, and almost all off them go bankrupt! If most business enthusiasts could not benefit from experience and wisdom of financial moguls, it may not worth for us even to start out small to test the water. This pessimistic opinion comes from the wrong understanding of the “business” word definition.

“Business” does not necessarily mean “to speculate”. First of all it means “to do something”, to make goods or render services that are in demand. If the demand is defined correctly and you have enough goods available to offer to the market, than you will be rewarded for all your efforts. All companies and corporations as well as any business entries base its activities on this principle. If you have enough knowledge and skills to set up your own business or satisfy any customer demands you have the chance to be your own boss. These may be the type of people that Hartford and Getty talked about.

The meaning of the word “business” is the synonym to the meaning of “working activity” at your own risk. There is an entrenched belief in our society that it is better to work in a group as an employee rather than individually. Any individual undertaking is not taken seriously. Collective responsibility is a shared responsibility that results in an individual irresponsibility. It is easy to follow somebody’s directions rather than take own decisions. Many people prefer this type of employment status for fear of uncertainty. First of all, these are creative people such as writers, editors, foreign language interpreters and musicians. The list also includes coaches, stylists, massage therapists, psychotherapist, tailors, repair men and astrologists.
We may continue this list of professions in which you may also find your own working niche. But is it worth striving for it? Do you have a chance for success there? Both types of employment collective and individual have its pros and cons that are more essential for one person and less important for another. All depends on numerous personal qualities, traits of character, and mentality.

In order to successfully head and manage the “I am” company you should be initiative, decisive, independent, responsible and ready to take risks. Figuratively, you should possess the qualities of a strict superior and executive subordinate. It is an illusion to believe that individual working career does not require discipline. Being constantly carried away by the temptation to relax and postpone things you will find yourself left with nothing. So, the cast-iron discipline is strongly required if there is no orders and pressure. It is much easier for an employee whose working process is guided by a superior. That is the reason of why most people prefer this employment style. They lack self-discipline and need an authoritative person who applies the stick and the carrot policy. On the contrary, the “I am my own boss” person holds the carrot and stick in own hands.

But there is another threat. Working for yourself you may work for the most hard-driving executive who keeps rushing you off your feet: “Don’t chill-out… keep working!” And you may get washed out very soon. That is why you should be selective when listening to your inner boss. And it is necessary to relax from time to time whether your inner boss likes it or not. Each corporation offers its employees not only overtime payments but weekends and vacations. Working for yourself you should plan out both working and resting time.

However, every experienced and mature person perfectly realizes the importance of this issue and is able to deal with it correctly. Moreover, experience and maturity is very essential for running own entrepreneurial activity. A man in a thousand possesses such exclusive qualities for starting business from scratch and succeed. For many people it is recommended to start working in a group of professionals to gain valuable experience, make good connections and work up a good reputation. Moreover, during this time you will have a great chance to determine your strengths and weaknesses and soberly evaluate the situation: whether you are able to work on your own without any control and support. If you feel enough power to start such endeavor – go for it! At least half of the world run own business and work successfully.

Google Yahoo Digg Technorati Delicious Slashdot