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STARTING YOUNG - ENCOURAGING ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING IN YOUNG LEARNERS
In layman's terms, the best way to understand what an entrepreneur is, is to consider the self-employed flower seller on the side of the road waiting for passing traffic to buy her flowers.
She only graduates from being self-employed to being an entrepreneur when she contacts all the hotels, wedding coordinators and funeral planners in her area to secure bulk contracts for supplying her flowers, considers entering the export business of selling dried flowers to Europe or China, and uses a portion of her profits to invest in a business or asset that will provide her, in time, with passive income.
Governments and education departments are paying significantly more attention to entrepreneurship, hence the inclusion of the subject in more and more schools and tertiary institutions around the world. What is interesting is that research has shown that introduction to these concepts before the age of thirteen has proved most beneficial.
But what is all the fuss about? Do we need entrepreneurs and if so, are entrepreneurs borne or made? Who is responsible for stimulating entrepreneurial thinking – parents or teachers, or both?
Referring to the findings of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor/ South African Executive Report 2006, a report written in conjunction with business schools around the globe, The University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business recently stated: ‘One of the most important findings is that potential entrepreneurs lack the mindset and skills to become true entrepreneurs.'
In order for emerging economies such as South Africa to grow, they require a successful and dynamic small business sector steered by highly capable, forward-thinking entrepreneurs - and research proves that this all starts with developing the necessary talent and attitudes in schools.
This becomes even more important when one considers the limited number of formal career opportunities available to school leavers.
While, ongoing support, access to finance and a business environment that is conducive are further key elements to realizing the full potential of entrepreneurs and small business; it all starts with creating the correct expertise and way of thinking.
Learners, even at a Primary School level, should be introduced to the appropriate mindset and skills to have a better chance of achieving, like the flower seller, career and personal success and satisfaction.
Gregory Bunyard
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Children need to be allowed to make mistakes.
They need to discover that this is sometimes the way one learns. They need to be given opportunities to grow in confidence and to contribute their own ideas.
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