How do I cope with being viewed as ignorant as an entrepreneur?
As a first time entrepreneur, how do I cope with people's first reaction that I am 'ignorant' when discussing my plans to start my own venture.
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May 20, 2015
You just do. Swallow your pride and go. Make mistakes. Everyone does in every new venture in life. How did you handle the first day of school? Or the beginning of your first job?
You can't prepare for every eventuality. You can't control everybody else's feelings. You CAN control how you handle mistakes. You can do it with honesty, graciousness and humility. You can fix what you can, and you can move on to the next. And you can [Golden Rule] be as understanding with employees who make mistakes as you needed people to be with you when you were coming up.
May 20, 2015
Pradeep I would have to agree with Matt, just do it. I wouldn't worry about what people thought, in most cases they are afraid of your failure or your success. Meaning some of your friends can be concern about you stepping out on faith and not making it because of poor planning and a lack of money reserved to pay bills until your business take off. Then there are others who are afraid your business will take off (haters). At any rate only you can determine your faith, are you willing to put in the time and hours necessary to achieve your goal. Have you done the research in your chosen field to be able to exercise foresight of the market to ensure your growth.
I read once that an Entrepreneur will jump off a cliff and build a plan on the way down, now that's a little extreme but true. Planning for the unexpected and working through the problems is the best advise I could offer. Your ignorant is only confidence running over, Good luck and I am sure you'll be fine.
May 20, 2015
Thank you Bobby for your comment. I liked "Planning for the unexpected and working through the problems is the best advice I could offer." from your comment :)
May 20, 2015
"Ignorance" is sometimes the beauty of Entreprenuership. If you know it can't be done, you won't do it. Get out there and do it. If you need help, there are people who will hold your hand. Or will smack you back in place. Either way, experience and making mistakes will get you past "ignorance."
May 21, 2015
QFT: "If you know it can't be done, you won't do it. Get out there and do it. "
I'm officially jealous of that comment,
May 20, 2015
You need to develop a business plan replete with mission and vision statement...Someone like me from Score will be able to help you...Look for a Score office near you, make an appointment and get started with a mentor
May 20, 2015
Everyone has an opinion and they are entitled to it. Remember that. But these are opinions. If you do your research and have a sound strategy, you're not ignorant. Failure is also not a bad thing. I learn more from my mistakes than successes. Just make sure you surround yourself with people that you feel confident will give you sound advice. Tell the rest to pound sand.
May 20, 2015
Don't worry what other people think. You have to be confident in your new venture. Otherwise it won't be successful.
May 20, 2015
You don't. Better use it insted. People tend to underestimate those who judge as ignorant and reveal enormous quantity of information that otherwise would keep strictly. Use your brains and get the most of it. Don't let your EGO speak, if you are an entrepreneur, you are there to akd, not to feel offended or hurt.
May 20, 2015
Two things ; there are over seven billion people in the world, why would you let the opinion of one ruin your day. 2nd sometimes we need to learn the language of the people we seek. If you are seeking B2B learn the business language they speak.
May 21, 2015
Worry less abut being ignorant -- asking questions and time will cure that -- but be smart. If you don't know how or what to do, find a knowledgeable expert and ask. With social media and the internet you can garner a lot of answers to review and absorb.
May 21, 2015
I am sure people thought some of our great inventors foolish and ignorant initially as well. As long as you seek the help you need and continue to hone your expertise, you should not be concerned what others think.
Often the naysayers are people who wish they had the commitment to go after the same themselves, and really your business will speak for itself if you have planned appropriately and went about your launch with the right tools.
If you are concerned about being viewed as ignorant and intend to be an entrepreneur, you will need to change your own mindset to see the experience and strengths you have and not become a victim of the opinion of others. Be confident about your expertise and knowing who to go to for additional direction.
Entrepreneurs have to learn to be their own leader and not allow the perceived notions of others to cause them to be redirected from their goal.
Focus on your strengths and seek assistance for areas where you know you may need help.
May 28, 2015
Be open and honest about your strengths and your weaknesses. Everyone starts someplace - admitting what you need is the best way to find people who can help fill those needs and round out your team for whatever enterprise you're engaged in.
The best way to combat ignorance is educating yourself - reach out to startup groups and people who've been there. Many entrepreneurs are more than happy to lend advice and save someone from making the mistakes they encountered (leaving you free to find whole new mistakes to make along the way."
May 20, 2015
Get over it. All of us get disdain criticism etc. If you can't get over it and still take advice don't do it. In my research and that of experts the ability to live with relentless no's is critical to your personal well being and your company. A tough challenge every day. If it gets to you move to something else. Nothing wrong with that. Best of luck. I have joked that I started out at 6 6 and gotten beaten down to 5 9. Keep your sense of humor. Easy to say. Hard to do. Simply Books App in the Apple Store
May 20, 2015
What is there to cope with? It is your business and maybe they are not seeing things the way you see them because it is not their business idea.
May 20, 2015
Patience my good friend! Humility my dear! With your dynamic business plan in place, a positive outlook and attitude will get you there; and believe me good fellow, persistence will never fail you. So, go get it; and do make a great business.
May 20, 2015
Just be honest and admit what you don't know but indicate you are willing to learn. If you don't let their reaction bother you, then you'll learn a lot that will help you move ahead with your business.
May 20, 2015
Ignore.they are either jealous or do not have the vision you have for your idea/concept. I've been called naive many times. This is your dream.
May 20, 2015
Follow your heart, Pradeep! Everyone had to start somewhere. Of course do your homework and listen to professional advice. But don't listen to naysayers. This might sound simplistic, but it's a fundamental truth of being an entrepreneur.
May 20, 2015
Actually claiming to be an entrepreneur could effectively announce a disturbing level of commercial ignorance.
Whenever I see the word ‘entrepreneur’ I cringe, as it is both a cliché and one of our language’s most abused. I am reminded of the quote attributed to George W that, “The problem with the French is they have no word for entrepreneur.” This may have been a media invention but it illustrated perfectly how arbitrary the term has become as most business owners erroneously consider themselves entrepreneurial.
Here is a post on this very subject - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140913044104-10144319-we-don-t-believe-you-are-entrepreneurial?trk=mp-reader-card
May 21, 2015
Here is one of my favourite quotes when running training courses: "Some people never learn anything because they understand everything too quickly.” (Alexander Pope). If you are "ignorant", embrace it and keep learning and researching. The more you learn, the more you will discover that you don't know.
May 21, 2015
You may consider being viewed as ignorant by aligning your policies and procedures with best available technologies. it could even be as simple as courtesies, customer service and technology driven processes. These are trends modern organization follow to keep up with best available practices around the world. Your compliance to these will definitely pull you out of the realm of ignorance.
Thanks Matthew :) Yes, you are right and I completely agree with you.