5 answers
Coby
Student
Virginia Beach, Virginia
1
Question
Asked
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What the goals I need to set to becoming a business person or an entrepreneur?
I am a 9th grade student and would love to pursue my career in business and would want to be an employer of labor one day or in the future.
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5 answers
Joe McCabe
Account Executive
8
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Joe’s Answer
Hi Coby, to add to what others have suggested, there are a few areas in which you should set goals to be an entrepreneur:
1. Educational Goals:
Aim for excellent grades in school, particularly in subjects like math, economics, and a subject of passion, like psychology or history.
Consider higher education, such as a bachelor's degree in business administration, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing or information systems.
2.Skill Development Goals:
Develop strong communication skills, both verbal and written, as effective communication is crucial in business.
Learn how to sell effectively. Here's a great resource to start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-NxAZiDkKo
Work on your leadership skills by taking on leadership roles in school clubs, sports teams, or community organizations.
Learn about financial literacy and money management to understand the financial aspects of running a business.
3. Networking Goals:
Build a network of mentors, teachers, and professionals in the business world who can offer guidance, advice, and support.
Attend business-related events, workshops, or seminars in your community to expand your network and learn from industry experts.
Connect with thought-leaders on Linked-In (when you get older) and comment on their content.
4. Long-Term Business Goals:
Figure out what you are passionate about, and find a problem worth solving.
Identify the main groups of people who have this problem, and begin reaching out to those who may be experiencing what your business solves.
Aim to create a business plan outlining your goals, target market, financial projections, and strategies for growth and sustainability.
Good luck!
1. Educational Goals:
Aim for excellent grades in school, particularly in subjects like math, economics, and a subject of passion, like psychology or history.
Consider higher education, such as a bachelor's degree in business administration, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing or information systems.
2.Skill Development Goals:
Develop strong communication skills, both verbal and written, as effective communication is crucial in business.
Learn how to sell effectively. Here's a great resource to start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-NxAZiDkKo
Work on your leadership skills by taking on leadership roles in school clubs, sports teams, or community organizations.
Learn about financial literacy and money management to understand the financial aspects of running a business.
3. Networking Goals:
Build a network of mentors, teachers, and professionals in the business world who can offer guidance, advice, and support.
Attend business-related events, workshops, or seminars in your community to expand your network and learn from industry experts.
Connect with thought-leaders on Linked-In (when you get older) and comment on their content.
4. Long-Term Business Goals:
Figure out what you are passionate about, and find a problem worth solving.
Identify the main groups of people who have this problem, and begin reaching out to those who may be experiencing what your business solves.
Aim to create a business plan outlining your goals, target market, financial projections, and strategies for growth and sustainability.
Good luck!
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
221
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
It is great that you are thinking ahead, Coby. Here are some suggestions:
- Join a Junior Achievement, DECA, or equivalent club so you could get experience running a business and compete with other student businesses
- If there isn't such a club, consider joining the student store and improving its operations and income
- Get a part-time job in which you could learn about the operations of the business
- Go to a business-oriented summer program after 10th or 11th grade; if possible, attend one at a college you might apply to
If you want to be an entrepreneur, having experience in other businesses will give lessons you will be able to apply. Your initial goals as an entrepreneur should be to:
- identify a specific need that you could fulfill
- research a lot to make sure someone is not already doing what you want to do - if they are, do you have a differentiator?
- write a business plan (lots of advice and templates are available online); the act of writing will force you to think through all aspects and uncover gaps
Good luck!
College Vine advice - https://blog.collegevine.com/extracurriculars-for-high-schoolers-interested-in-studying-business
- Join a Junior Achievement, DECA, or equivalent club so you could get experience running a business and compete with other student businesses
- If there isn't such a club, consider joining the student store and improving its operations and income
- Get a part-time job in which you could learn about the operations of the business
- Go to a business-oriented summer program after 10th or 11th grade; if possible, attend one at a college you might apply to
If you want to be an entrepreneur, having experience in other businesses will give lessons you will be able to apply. Your initial goals as an entrepreneur should be to:
- identify a specific need that you could fulfill
- research a lot to make sure someone is not already doing what you want to do - if they are, do you have a differentiator?
- write a business plan (lots of advice and templates are available online); the act of writing will force you to think through all aspects and uncover gaps
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Allen Kirby
Expert Member of Technical Staff
5
Answers
Canton, Georgia
Updated
Allen’s Answer
Hi Coby. The two most important things is to be willing to put in the work necessary to be successful - whether you're starting your own business or working for someone else - and understanding business financials. Be willing to learn new skills and admit when you're wrong. Learn how the stock market works - did you know you can make money in the stock market when stock prices fall? Finally, understand business cases and how to analyze opportunities. I also highly recommend getting a MBA at some point. Good luck!
Dimitar Radichev
Working as a Senior Pricing Professional for IBM EMEA Region, helping the deal teams to be shaping the key opportunities within our Consulting business from a financial and commercial perspective.
9
Answers
Sofia, Bulgaria
Updated
Dimitar’s Answer
Hi Cobi! First of all, congratulations on being a pro-active person and asking here for an advise on what you could be doing in order to be successful and if you allow me I would stay at the overall level, which would be rules which helped me at any endeavor.
1. Stay proactive and curious - this is something which everyone could be cultivating, even if not naturally proactive. If you set up a goal to lear at least 1 new thing a day, no matter at which area, that would mean 365 new things a year, and just imagine if you learn 2 things a day, or more...
2. Growth Mindset - in case you combine 1 above and cultivate a continuous learning for you tht would result in a growth mindset most likely, which is a key indicator and behavior of the successful person at any area.
3. Work smart (and sometimes hard) - I dare to paraphrase the famous saying, because if I tell you that you could be watching a TV at the sofa and to be successful - I would be lying you.... really, we need to be working mainly smart, however, often you must be demonstrating a resilience (first at school, if doing sports etc and then at work).
4. Communicate efficiently - "it is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice"....I have always greeted both the CEO and the cleaning staff, because at the end of the day, everyone is doing his/her job and we are all human being, and everyone tries and wants to be the best/appreciated etc.
It is not an explicit list above, however, I hope you would find it as a good start and and a trigger to kick them off.
At your disposal,
Dimitar
1. Stay proactive and curious - this is something which everyone could be cultivating, even if not naturally proactive. If you set up a goal to lear at least 1 new thing a day, no matter at which area, that would mean 365 new things a year, and just imagine if you learn 2 things a day, or more...
2. Growth Mindset - in case you combine 1 above and cultivate a continuous learning for you tht would result in a growth mindset most likely, which is a key indicator and behavior of the successful person at any area.
3. Work smart (and sometimes hard) - I dare to paraphrase the famous saying, because if I tell you that you could be watching a TV at the sofa and to be successful - I would be lying you.... really, we need to be working mainly smart, however, often you must be demonstrating a resilience (first at school, if doing sports etc and then at work).
4. Communicate efficiently - "it is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice"....I have always greeted both the CEO and the cleaning staff, because at the end of the day, everyone is doing his/her job and we are all human being, and everyone tries and wants to be the best/appreciated etc.
It is not an explicit list above, however, I hope you would find it as a good start and and a trigger to kick them off.
At your disposal,
Dimitar
Davielle Panzullo, M.A.
Warehouse Manager
19
Answers
Irvine, California
Updated
Davielle’s Answer
Thank you for asking that question, Cody. I am glad to hear you want to go into business. First, you have to think about what type of business? A product or service. Then you need to align yourself with a school program that helps you fulfill your dream. Meantime, look for online training (YouTube) that helps you understand how to create a business; from coming up with the idea, to finance (how to pay for the business), human resources - how to get new people and keep them, to marketing - how to get your products in everyone's hearts and minds. I suggest you reachout to local trade associations and they can tell you more about what is required to develop that type of company. For example, if you want to be a clothing manufacturer, google "clothing manufacturer association". You'll see a link to: https://www.aafaglobal.org/AAFA/About/Who_We_Are.aspx#:~:text=The%20AAMA%20was%20founded%20in,association%20representing%20U.S.%20apparel%20manufacturers. And then from there, you can reach out to the organization and find more information. It is very important that you do what you love and have some business training, so you can love what you do. Best wishes for a great career!