Entrepreneurial Sweet Spot
For some, an entrepreneurial area of focus could not be more obvious: a life-long passion, a defined skilled, a clear problem to be solved. For others, the entrepreneurial urge is strong, but they can’t decide where to focus their interests.
Given how much time and effort new ventures take, it is helpful to sit back and think about an area that will engage you, your skills and the market. Work your way through these categories, to start narrowing in on your own entrepreneurial profile and how it might best map onto current market needs.
A. Holland Codes
You might recognize these 6 areas if you have done any career planning in the past. Of these categories, which 2 appeal to you the most?
B. Specialized Expertise
What are your top 3 areas of unique, specialized expertise? This can include your professional training, your well-developed hobbies or other areas in which you distinguish yourself with your performance and output.
1.
2.
3.
C. Strongest Networks
In which of these areas do you have the strongest, personal networks? Choose the top 1.
1. A broad, offline social network
2. An extensive, online social network
3. An intellectually impressive network with strong IP possibilities
4. A financially impressive network with strong potential investors
5. A global network with strong market ties in other countries
D. Problem-Solving Style
In which two of the following areas do you think you show particular strengths as you go about solving complex problems?
E. Creative Achievements
Over the course of your life, what do you think have been your top creative achievements?
1.
2.
3.
F. Entrepreneurial Drive
When you think of your next venture, how would you like it to be focused?
1. For profit
2. Not for profit
3. Social venture (a blend)
Bringing it Together
i. Write your answers for questions A through F in the following circles.
ii. Given the profile you have built here, what insights can you take away around the area in which you should focus your entrepreneurial plotting? Think deeply about the connections here and Write your takeaways in the middle circle.
iii. Once you have zoomed in on your own profile, it will be easier to look to a focused area of the market and start hunting for problems to be solved with a new product or service.
* Check out http://www.mindmapinspiration.co.uk for great mind-mapping templates.