Waiting to exhale…..
by mickCan you combine Managing Risks with innovative entrepreneurship?
Just recently we heard the Dutch government repeating its ambition that Holland should become a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. The Dutch Innovation Platform, lead by our PM and renowned statesmen and business men, has really urged our nation to actively get involved in developing opportunities to improve our economic position in the world.
As the author of this piece and entrepreneur at heart I am well aware that I have a stake in the matter. But that does not withhold me of sharing my thoughts with you. I just don’t understand why modern companies are not putting enough effort into redesigning their business and creating value, especially in this time and age….
Positive sound
The financial crises is really taking its toll. ‘Mick, how are you doing?’, seems to be the most frequently asked question with regards to keeping up appearances. Nobody likes to hear that things are not going very well. Lately, we have been hearing an awful lot of horror stories and rubbish. So how do you go about looking for a positive noise and feeling in the midst of it all? Getting tremendously drunk and doing drugs is out of style. Getting advice from family and friends is a likely solution. Many storytellers have risen to the occasion. What to do and not to do. What to think and not to think. At every corner you can find someone with a narrow mind. A new trend supposedly?
Doors open
I am astonished – as others with me – that these struggling times are not the starting point of new initiatives. Take for example the financial sector (or any in that matter). The financial institute as a whole has taken a blow! Now the doors are wide open for accountants and consultants for ‘managing risks’. Instead of welcoming organisations with creative and entrepreneurial ideas for a sustainable business. The Netherlands, the leader in innovation? I really don’t know what to think anymore………..Do you
March 26th, 2009 at 12:07
I think it also deplends on what age groups you’re looking at. In my environment a lot of people are starting up new businesses and I truely believe 1980-84 were good years
, with people who have the right spirit of right people around them (parents and family who grew up during the ‘60 and ‘70, very inspiring years). Besides the good environment around them, they also grew up during creative innovative years. We saw internet coming, the mobile telephone, the Ipod etc. A lot of creative people within the age of 24- 28 are entrepreneurial and see new opportunities in the market, e.g. farmers, graphic designers and … t-shirt labels… (I hope to let you know something about Switterbeet within a year!).
Take care!
Bart
March 26th, 2009 at 18:37
Ok, to come back to my examples. All these people around me starting new businesses are also innovative. They bring new products or new services to the market. But innovation can also take place in processes and doesn’t have to be high-tec capital investments. So yes, innovative entrepreneurship can be combined with managing risks. Try to innovate in processes and bootstrap your way to growth (with the right people in your environment this should be possible).