Author : Tayo Solagbade
Background - Who Should Read This Article?True entrepreneurs prefer to EARN what they make through honest and intelligent effort, and typically abhor offers of "handouts" or favours. Many people in developed societies have enough around them to help them understand that entrepreneuring can be prestigious, and investing in, or patronising an entrepreneur can be quite rewarding.The fact is that the clients/customers or investors who have to consider what a first-time startup entrepreneur has to offer them, may NOT have the benefit of access to his/her business track record(since it would be his/her FIRST time), family pedigree or "sensible" ideas to help them make up their minds about the potential benefits of putting their hard earned money in as capital - or for purchase of the entrepreneur's product or service.It therefore follows that they will have to take something of a "leap of faith" in starting a relationship with him/her. They would have to carefully evaluate all that s/he is offering them as investors or prospective clients/customers and decide whether or not the total picture they can see, and the potential rewards that are promised can justify the monetary or other form of commitment s/he may request.They would, in essence, have to demonstrate a belief in his/her ability to deliver what s/he promises.The above is actually why this article was NOT written primarily for persons who live/work in DEVELOPED societies. In advanced societies many successful enterprises exist today, because investors and customers put their faith - and hard earned money - in an individual who had little or nothing more than an idea, when starting up.This article has instead been written mainly for the benefit of persons who live/work in DEVELOPING societies where many individual startup entrepreneurs who also have little or nothing more than an "idea" may approach them to consider investing in or purchasing a product or service. Specifically, I draw from over four years of experience as an entrepreneur in a developing country, where in my opinion there is a generally poor understanding of what the relationship between entrepreneurs and their prospective clients/customers or investors ought to be.The Situation/Problem1. Quite often the entrepreneur is NOT seen as a provider of valuable - possibly badly - needed solutions to the clients' NEEDS. Instead s/he tends to be seen as the unfortunate individual who made the mistake of thinking s/he could command enough income to earn a living doing something s/he is good at outside the security of paid employment - or without access to the right connections. Those s/he approaches to give him/her business consequently adopt a position of superiority over him/her - feeling s/he needs them more than they need him/her!2.As a result of 1. above, many supposed entrepreneurs - out of desperation - compromise on their values, and agree to sometimes outrageous proposals by individuals in prospective client companies(very hard to blame them really - because, unlike developed societies, lack of business patronage leaves you ZERO alternatives to find even money to feed yourself and your family). So they get the job, earn little in terms of profit, since they share what is paid them with those who influence/approve it. In no time at all they are back begging for another opportunity. Conflicts with the Be Your Own Boss concept that starting one's own business is about doesn't it?Who Loses Out/Suffers In The Long Run?The entrepreneur of course - IF s/he gives in. S/he will lose her dignity and status before clients. If s/he gets used to it(as has happened to many) s/he'll probably decide to secure more "easy" jobs and become lazy from getting mostly un-earned income.Some people have accused me of exaggerating the problem. Others say I want too much change in too short a time. The truth however is that I see very little effort being made by very few people to do anything about it. Yet evidence of its presence and ill-effects daily torment hardworking, competent and honest people. I CANNOT keep quiet in the face of all that. If it is all I can do, I will create awareness about it, and propose workable solutions for the sake of others - including my own children.Note: This problem probably occurs in some developed societies, but that - going by the obvious prestige associated with entrepreneuring in many of them - would be the exception, NOT the norm, as tends to be the case out here. Of course, not everyone here is guilty of doing the naughty things mentioned above. But majority are...and a large number of those who are not, are often afraid to say or do anything about it. Read my article titled "Using Passive Resistance And Non-Violent Confrontation To Discourage Bad Practices In Society" for ideas you can use.Don't Compromise Your Values Or Be Subservient To ANYONE!"You don't need anyone's permission to succeed" - Dan kennedyTo the entrepreneur, I will make this challenge. Accepting shabby treatment from clients will not make you gain stature before them. If anything, you will lower your credibility and worth in their eyes, and those of others who observe your subservience. If you find any client trying to treat you shabbily, you may want to seriously considering walking away from that relationship, as it could end up doing you more harm than good.Think about it this way: What are the chances of a guy who keeps putting you down, delaying your payments and trying to get you to do more for less - or nothing! - giving you any word-of-mouth referrals/testimonials that result in PROFITABLE jobs? Read Donna Gunter's article titled "7 Signs That It's Time to Fire a Client" to learn more about why you may need to "fire" a naughty client(s).Also, I strongly believe it is better to spend your time doing things that IMPROVE your ability to convince prospective clients that you are worth the fees you ask, than to go around to abusive ones who repeatedly underpay and exploit you! But then, not everyone has the courage to risk prolonged humiliation that may(initially) come with taking this kind of stance - and the following quote predicts their fate:"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them." - Frederick DouglassA Solution Entrepreneurs Can AdoptThere is a solution - BUT only for those who are willing to pay the price.The solution I propose, is for an entrepeneur confronted with the problem(s) described in this article to (a).develop additional income earning competencies (b). explore opportunities for earning income through channels that do NOT allow third parties influence the decision making process without your being given a fair and impartial opportunity to bid. S/he can do this while continuing to explore the available openings for a fair and impartial opportunity to bid for business.Countries like India have shown that it can be done e.g. self-employed persons providing digital services(freelance writing, software development, help desks etc) via the Internet. Of course, not everyone will find this a suitable alternative - though I dare say that now, and in the future, virtually anyone who is serious about earning income with less effort will need to give this alternative MORE serious consideration!For now, I guess the question will have to be whether those who need this alternative, will be prepared to make the long term commitment that may be required to bring their dreams to reality.Incidentally, success in doing a. or b. above - apart from making him/her more versatile - would further boost the entrepreneur's ability to attract patronage(or capital) from customers(or investors), so nothing would be lost! Read my articles titled:a. "How To Be A Jack Of Many Trades, And Why It Can Make You Succeed More Often"b. "More Real-Life Proof That Being A Jack Of Many Trades Can Make You Succeed More Often"c. "If You Lack Capital, Intelligent Multipreneuring Can Help You Get It!".SummaryHopefully, from reading this article, if you ever find yourself in a position where you need to decide whether to patronise(i.e. purchase from) or invest in an entrepreneur's business, you will have a better understanding of what to do. Except s/he is NOT an authentic, vision-driven entrepreneur, it is highly unlikely s/he will want you to feel pity and give him/her some handouts when you are willing to offer acceptable payment(or capital investment) for the product/service(or returns) s/he claims to be capable of delivering to your satisfaction.If you have read this as an entrepreneur(or one aspiring), I will ask you this question: What will your decision be in relation to dealing with the possible lack of immediate interest and patronage from your target audience for your products/services? Will you compromise and settle for a one-sided relationship in which people feel they are just doing you a favour by doing business with you? Or will you work hard to adopt the alternative solution along the line of that provided above so as to command profitable earnings, credibility and recognition in your line of business?I have made my decision - which is why you are reading this. It is also why I have four NEW Excel VB applications displayed for online purchase on my MS Excel Automation mini site. I hope you will also make the decision that will help you get the rewards you truly deserve for your efforts, when the time comes.Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist – Tayo Solagbade - works as a Multipreneur, helping individuals/businesses develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals, faster and more profitably.Download FREE demos of customisable Excel-VB driven spreadsheet application such as (1) an Automated Invoice, And Delivery Note Generator (2). a Personal Bank Deposits/Withdrawals Monitor™ (3) a Church Records Manager™ or (4) an Article Readers' Interest Index(RII)™ analyser from http://www.excelheaven.spontaneousdevelopment.com
Keyword : finding customers, business success, startup, business angels
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