Introduction to Entrepreneurship

Manager vs Entrepreneur vs Capitalist

Differentiate clearly between the roles of managers, entrepreneurs, and capitalists, and understand their respective contributions within a business environment.

Topics Covered

• Exploit business opportunities
  Understand how entrepreneurs scan the environment to identify unmet needs or inefficiencies and then capitalize on these gaps with innovative products or services. Learn how opportunity exploitation drives competitive advantage and business growth in both new and existing markets.
• Ready to take risks
  Explore how entrepreneurs willingly embrace uncertainty and take calculated risks to pursue novel ideas. Understand the difference between risk-taking in entrepreneurship versus the risk-averse nature of traditional management roles.
• Exhibit courage
  Learn how entrepreneurial courage is not just about bold decision-making but also about resilience, adaptability, and the ability to push forward despite failures or criticism. This trait is essential in navigating uncertain and volatile business environments.
• Have tolerance for ambiguity
  Recognize how entrepreneurs operate effectively in ambiguous conditions without clear outcomes. Learn how they make decisions with limited data, pivot strategies rapidly, and remain flexible in their thinking—skills that are often critical to survival and success.
• Supervise processes
  Understand how entrepreneurs are not only visionaries but also hands-on executors. They supervise operations, ensure team alignment, optimize workflows, and track milestones to ensure that ideas are transformed into viable business outcomes.
• Manage business portfolio
  Gain insights into how entrepreneurs manage multiple ventures or diverse business interests. Learn the strategies behind portfolio diversification, resource allocation, risk mitigation, and the scaling of business models across verticals or geographies.
• Build trust and cooperation
  Explore the role of interpersonal skills in entrepreneurship—specifically, how successful entrepreneurs build trust with investors, employees, partners, and customers. Understand the importance of transparency, emotional intelligence, and collaborative leadership in fostering sustainable growth.