By Nelson Semanu & Elizabeth Boandoh-Korkor (CA)
Technical skills are vital in business success, but they are never a guarantee that a person will do well in an entrepreneurial venture. The reason is simple: the pathway to entrepreneurial success is a powerful combination of both technical and especially, non-technical skills which we chose to describe as remarkable attributes or characteristics, if you like.
Despite the several courses offered at universities across the world, many young graduates often do not end up in entrepreneurial ventures. A few who venture into business often find themselves struggling with various challenges that seek to derail their progress. Come to think of it, most of these young graduates have the technical know-how of business. Therefore, it is evident that what they lack certain attributes that will make their businesses standout.
Generally, people depend on technical expertise and the availability of cash to jump on opportunities. However, after conducting several interviews and researching on the subject, we’ve discovered that there are certain attributes that make successful entrepreneurs standout in their field. Of course, technical skills such as financial management, project management skills have a place in business success. However, we are of the opinion that depending on technical expertise solely is never enough to make a person succeed in business.
We strongly believe that, essential attributes such as visionary leadership, the willingness to begin small, discipline, problem solving, creativity, customer service, exceptional business networking, marketing and salesmanship, humility and the willingness tolearn, spirituality, just to name a few are major game changers in entrepreneurial success. So, one may ask: what is the real gateway to entrepreneurial success? We strongly believe that both technical and non-technical skills are necessary to succeed in business but in the end, those with stronger non-technical skills always do better. Simply put, a person’s technical expertise is never enough to succeed as entrepreneur. Entrepreneurial success depends more on certain attitudes, which we chose to call “remarkable attributes”.
Academic knowledge is great and has a very important role to play but it’s never a guarantee that a person will do well as an entrepreneur. It’s an open secret that most technically gifted people do not end up as successful entrepreneurs. For instance, not all professionally trained accountants, graphic designers, journalists, teachers, investment bankers, engineers, insurers, lawyers, end up running their own businesses as entrepreneurs. This is because, the fact that a person has knowledge on a specific field of endeavour does not mean that person will succeed running a business successfully in that area.
