Professional Profile
An entrepreneur in business can fulfil two main functions; the driver of new business ventures itself (entrepreneur), or the driver of innovation and change within existing business (intrapreneur). The profile only essentially differs between these two roles in the requirements of the level of ability to take risk and aptitude for taking opportunity. Both the ability to judge risk and being aware of opportunity are competencies required at both ends of this profile’s spectrum.
An Entrepreneur requires the ability to lead and motivate people. This will be during business start-ups and project launches, but also in times of change and innovation implementation. The Entrepreneur will understand the need for good communication skills and have a good understanding of society, economics and sustainability. The Entrepreneur will have skills of selling ideas and products, winning commitment, and presenting and executing business plans. Understanding the need for stable and solid management within a company, large or small is important. An entrepreneurial business person in modern day Europe needs to be able to communicate with people across the continent and across the world, and requires the ability to understand the effects of national and international governments on the business ventures they are involved in. Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs need the ability to look at problems and risks from a holistic view point and find solutions and manage risk through innovation. They need to have a good understanding of finance and fiscal matters and be able to knowledgably communicate with people supporting them through accountancy, or human resource or information services, and be able to lead these people.
Entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs are successful because they can quickly understand complex situations that require them to plan and make strategic decisions, and work on a multitude of business ideas and projects at the same time. They have a solid understanding of marketing design and implementation. Being able to develop business ideas simultaneously requires an ability to determine and understand important details, pinpoint alternatives and continuously evaluate and review business processes. A characteristic of entrepreneurs is that they have the ability to fully devote and commit themselves to achieving their long term business objectives and goals, and that this energy is also directly translated into the short term objectives.