Interviewing Mark Michael - Essay Example

? Entrepreneurship interview Interviewing Mark Michael Mark Michael is the owner of Atlanta Technological Company which deals withbuying and selling of computers. The company also repairs computers and also sells the spare parts of computers. After an interview with the entrepreneur, I came up with features that have led to his outstanding success in entrepreneurship. What are the reasons as to why you chose to be an entrepreneur instead of being employed? To begin with, I like being my own boss. I always like seeing things being done the right way and thus, I prefer employing myself in order to control my business my own way. In my business, I can make my own rules without consulting any person except my employees Charantimath, 2006, 23). Secondly, I like being independent with my own goals and objectives that I have set to achieve. Individuality is a characteristic that enables me to be to stand even when faced with challenges without expecting help form any person. Therefore, as an entrepreneur I can be totally independent without sharing profits or losses with anyone. How do you security in your business? I am a goal oriented person. Setting goals gives a person assurance and security at work since, when the goals are accomplished; it implies that it cannot fail at given time. An entrepreneur has to be focused at achieving his or her goals since; a business is driven by the goals (Eric, 2012, 12). Without goals, the employment security of the employer is at stake and can fail anytime. How do you manage to succeed in your business? First I am a disciplined person. I do not waste time on issues that might lead to failure of my business. I am also punctual in my work. I ensure that all my projects are completed within the speculated time. Discipline also helps me to keep deadlines and be serious with every part of the business (Bridge, 2010, 35). It is also a factor that helps me to ensure that there is no wastage of resources in the business. Therefore, as an entrepreneur, I have managed to succeed through ensuring that every line of work is well coordinated without taking any part for granted. How do you manage to keep your business running despite the stiff competition in the technology industry? The main strategy that I use is creativity and innovativeness. Entrepreneurship is all about generating of new and unique ideas in order to challenge those of competitors. For instance, in the technology industry I have to ensure that I am updated on all the updated technology such as new brands of computers and laptops. I also have to innovate new ways of repairing different parts of the instruments. This helps me to attract new customers and provide them with quality services (Under30CEO, 2010, 65). One character trait that also helps me manage the competition is being a risk taker. As a risk taker, I can take advantage of different opportunities in life without fearing the possible losses. This way I can come up with quality features that can be used in building my business. For instance, purchasing laptops in bulk from foreign countries is extremely risky since; one is never certain if the laptops will be purchased by customers. However, as an entrepreneur, I have to take the risk since; that way I will increase my profits. This character is also supported by the fact that I am an opportunistic person. How do you ensure that, as an entrepreneur, opportunities do not pass you by? I take advantage of the different opportunities that my competitors may be ignoring. This way, my business can thrive above others since I will be equipped with unique ideas (Rex Bookstore, 2012, 45). I am also a thinker; I find my way out of the hard parts of the business that I may face. For instance, if a laptop has been repaired and it is not yet working, as an entrepreneur I have to think of the probable cause of the problem. Therefore, as an entrepreneur I cannot afford to run out of ideas at any one point in time. This has also helped to be above my competitors since; while other companies might tell their customers that they cannot find the problem, in my case, I try to find the problem by thinking of solutions. How do you normally handle failures and mistakes? One key principle for me as an entrepreneur is to learn from my mistakes instead of brooding over them. I try to understand the vital strategies that I took which were wrong so that I do not repeat them another time. When I make a mistake in my business, I also ensure that I correct it with immediate effect if it can be corrected. This calls for preparedness and avoidance of procrastination; as an entrepreneur, I do not procrastinate mistakes to solve them at a later date. This is because; procrastination only gives rise to more mistakes (Viramgami, 2007, 34). How do you ensure that your work is perfect? I always define myself as being meticulous. I usually ensure that everything in the business is done thoroughly and with a lot of keenness. This way I can avoid careless mistakes that might give rise to losses. Therefore, I am always meticulous and methodical in my work in order to ensure that I succeed. Being meticulous helps me to stay ahead of my competitors (Stephenson, 2012, 1). This is because; while they make a multitude of mistakes and remain correcting them, I will already be a step far ahead. How do you react to changes? I am a flexible person and hence, I know that although I make plans, they are subject to change depending on the circumstances (Eric, 2012, 26). For instance, if I order a certain brand of computers, I have to readily accept any changes that may occur due to technological changes. As an entrepreneur, I cannot decide to close the business and wait until the brand I ordered is availed; I have to be flexible since things do not always work out as anticipated. Therefore, I have to be open-minded and dynamic to all the situations that I face in the business (Fredrik, 2012, 1). How do you handle your overall business operations to ensure that there is smoothness of work in the Company? First I am a motivator; I motivate my employees to work and love their work. This ensures that the employees are fully dedicated thus leading to the success of the business. I also ensure that I lead all employees to the right direction by showing them all that they are required to do. Therefore, as an entrepreneur I have to ensure that I organize my employees and show them all the basics of work (Stephenson & Mintzer, 2008, 33). How do you operate your business during times of low seasons? Perseverance is majorly crucial for an entrepreneurship since; the business road is not always smooth. When the customers are unusually low, it is my duty to advertise and promote my business to the market in order to attract the few customers that are available (Mohanty, 2005, 11). Therefore, an entrepreneur should not give up when times are hard or when things do not work out as he, or she had anticipated. Conclusion Indeed Michael has the right attributes of an entrepreneur and thus his success. He is hardworking, creative and innovative and thus he can generate new ideas to keep his business in operation. He is goal oriented and knows how to pursue them without giving up. From this interview, I have learnt that hard work; persistence and seriousness are one and the same thing. In my project, I will ensure that I handle things keenly without leaving space for mistakes. Being meticulous will also help me in my carrier since; I will work towards obtaining what is best and excellent. This interview will also help me in my decision making skills since; I have learnt that an entrepreneur mainly works through making tough decisions. References Bridge, R. 2010, How I made It: 4o Successful Entrepreneurs Reveal How They Made Millions, NY, Kogan Page Publishers Charantimath, 200, Entrepreneurship Development and Small Business Enterprise, New Delhi: Pearson Education India Eric 2012, Qualities of a good Entrepreneur, Transtutors.com, Retrieved January 7, 2013, from http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=OlgpTSJWF3IC&pg=PA197&dq=qualities+of+a+good+entrepreneur&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ebnqULzSAZGWhQfU44CwDA&ved=0CDMQuwUwAA#v=onepage&q=qualities%20of%20a%20good%20entrepreneur&f=false Fredrik, P. 2012, 7 Personality Traits Of A Successful Entrepreneur, I Need Motivation, Retrieved January 7, from http://www.google.co.ke/search?q=25+common+Characteristirscs+of+successful+entrepreneu&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a Mohanty, K. S. 2005, Fundamentals of entrepreneurship, New Delhi, PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd Rex Bookstore, (2012), TECHNOLOGY and HOME ECONOMICS, NY, Rex Bookstore Stephenson, J 2012, 25 Common Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship, Retrieved January 7, 2013 from http://www.google.co.ke/search?q=25+common+Characteristirscs+of+successful+entrepreneu&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a Stephenson, J. and Mintzer, R. 2008, Ultimate Homebased Business Handbook, NY, Entrepreneur press Under30CEO, 2010, 10 Qualities of a Successful Entrepreneur, UNDER30CEO, Retrieved January 7, 2013 from http://www.google.co.ke/search?q=25+common+Characteristirscs+of+successful+entrepreneu&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a Viramgami, H. S. (2007), Fundamentals Of Entrepreneurship (Entrepreneur And Entrepreneurship), NY: APH Publishing Read More