DISQUS

Textbox · 5 months ago

Businesses need to better identify these kinds of employees and understand what drives them to work their normal 8 - 5 job and then also work on their own time. Most of the time it is not money related but possibly a creative outlet they are not getting to express. These employees can be a huge asset to a company if management takes the time to understand what is lacking in their job.

David Hakala · 5 months ago

If an employee is an "embedded entrepreneur" then his obligation is to deliver what his customer ordered at the agreed price. A fixed wage does not create an unlimited "moral obligation to perform at the best of their ability."

Deliberately training employees to go out and be your competitors is not a good idea unless you're in the network marketing/MLM business, or otherwise ensured some piece of the pie you baked.

ducttape · 5 months ago

Wow - David, can I come to work for your organization, sounds like a fun time. No, clearly this approach is not for everyone - you have to be an entrepreneur to teach it.

TheWealthSquad · 5 months ago

Not everyone wants to run a business but everyone wants to know they are making a difference. At least the good employees do. Getting your employees involved is the easiest way to dramatically change your business. Goes along with the old quote - None of us are as creative as all of us.

Great customer service comes from empowering your employees to make things right. Great ideas are generated by every one. Some of Google's better products came from people working on their own. They generate a lot of people who go off to start something new. I don't think they are doing badly.

Most of your employees like being a W2 wage earner. They don't want the responsibility with running a business. But they do like to feel appreciated and listening to their ideas, teaching them and deepening their knowledge is a great way to do it.

Kris Bovay · 5 months ago

I'm not sure all employees want to be/think like an entrepreneur. Many want to focus only on what they do well. And the reality is that as a business owner I like a mix of employees; otherwise there seems to be an environment where power struggles become the norm. I want employees who enjoy their work, like to work for me, and love to work for our customers.

tylor · 5 months ago

I agree with some points here.
i think this is some late reading..but, ey i liked the post

Thanks for the post.

Dr Wright · 5 months ago

Many employees are just employees and its too much pressure when you ask them to innovate. Some people are just happy to work for you and do not wish to start their own thing.

Dr. Letitia Wright
The Wright Place TV Show
http://wrightplacetv.com
www.twitter.com/drwright1

bradcoughlin · 5 months ago

True, but that sounds so sad to me : (

Mike · 5 months ago

Interesting concept! However I agree with other comments here; some people want to be an employee. They want to perform their job, do their job well and earn their paycheck. To foster an attitude of entrepreneurial thinkers may not always be in your best interest unless you are in a MLM business as stated in a previous comment.

Well written and interesting. I would like to see the results of this in action.

Kris Scheben-Edey · 5 months ago

I absolutely love this topic, as it couldn't be more relevant to me. I have an remote job which I love and dedicate as much time as I can too. However, I would not have such a job without entrepreneurial skills from previous personal ventures and experiences.

I agree that in industries that are constantly changing and innovating (Marketing/SEO/Tech) it would be advised for passionate employees to take on personal projects with support from their employers. It gives them a new perspective, an unparalleled education and provides a great amount of feedback to the employers.

On the other hand, for employees working for fixed rate wages (no incentives) and with little influence on company decisions they aren't likely to benefit the company from outside ventures. Some industries where this would be futile are the general labour industries like food service, construction or box-store retail.

It goes both ways but John makes an excellent point that shouldn't be ignored by good employers or employees. Always consider the environment.

Cheers,
Kris

P.S. While I have some employers attention.. stop downsizing! It's only perpetuating the recession and things are recovering now.. use it as an opportunity!

davidmanzer · 5 months ago

I think some jobs lend themselves to entrepreneurial embedding more than others. For instance, I used to work at BellSouth back in the days when it was a Baby Bell, a former shell of the once-great and mighty AT&T. There were beaucoup layers of management and the hierarchy reminded me, frankly, of the military. There were special parking spaces for different levels of management!

The work environment at BellSouth back then was very predictable and rarely required any overtime. Some of the managers I encountered there actually had part-time gigs outside of work, real estate being one of the more popular ones. One was a florist!

My more recent experience in such industries as high technology, oilfield services and consumer products make me think it would be very hard to have a separate job outside of work. Hours are rarely predictable and often include overtime. You work harder, for not a lot more money, so that you can earn a raise, obtain a possible promotion, or even simply keep your job.

I think being in a job is a little like being in a relationship. The moment you stray, it's hard to stay 100% focused and engaged on keeping the relationship alive and growing. That said, I've seen some who work for the government, pilots for airlines, teachers, bankers and can balance their full-time work with an outside business endeavor. I think it's a rare person who does both successfully. Often, they end up doing a disservice to themselves and their customers/employers.

RedHotFranchises · 5 months ago

Recognition is the key to employee morale when they can feel that they are contributing to the success of the company, they will develop the passion.

MrRess · 5 months ago

Sounds like something Seth Godin would say.

Stormy Dean · 5 months ago

Great tips. I told some stories about my sister-in-law Karen on my blog. She is thinking of becoming an entrepreneur. One additional point though, each person when considering starting a small business should also think about themselves and if they have the attention to detail to keep the books, and do the adminstrative things to make a business successful. If they don't they need to find somebody to help them with that important part of running a business. See stormdawg.com for more stories.

PS. love your blog I added it to my blog roll.

StormDawg

Mike Stenger · 5 months ago

Allow more creative input like you mentioned and I think you're going on the right path. Most employees want to be a part of something and EVERYONE wants to have a feeling of accomplishment in their line of work.

bradcoughlin · 5 months ago

I worked for a company who was not too fond of my entrepreneurial thinking. I suppose it was presumptuous of me to think I would fit in, but I think this company should have known what to expect given my background in starting a business.

@David Anyone you hire could become your competition. But imagine if you took their advice to heart and used it to improve your business. If the employee ever did start a competing business, you may already be using their best ideas.

Greg Mesaros · 5 months ago

I agree with this strategy. I am always looking for new talents and strengths within my employees to either build onto or branch off ideas or plans we may have. Sometimes, a single small thought may lead to a variety of methods or alternatives, each with a different perspective, and assist in the process of reaching new buyers and increasing sales.

-Greg Mesaros, CEO eWinWin

Justin · 5 months ago

Entrepreneur is definitely mindset. To get those around you to believe and think in that way will definitely take your business in a different route.

elainebylos · 5 months ago

Great blog. Interaction buys loyalty.


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jasica martin · 4 months ago

hay there
beautiful thoughts you have shared with us thank you very much.
i ant to share some thing with you, it that I also believe on such kind of strategies to empower the employees as they also have to take the decisions and also the upcoming managers for the upcoming next level ahead for them so they must be trained in such a way that when they give th opportunity on the next level they are capable enough to make sure the thing are going in the best way and according to the business need

mlgreen8753 · 4 months ago

That's an interesting take but the bottom line is employers don't see employees as entrepreneurs, but as disposable human resources. I think all employees should have a side business as a back-up plan. Online marketing is one of the easiest ways to get in a business where there are little or not operating and advertising expenses

susan01 · 4 months ago

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Margaret

http://businesseshome.net