Everyone wants to be an entrepreneur nowadays. Many hope. Most try. But few succeed.
So what is it about those that succeed? What is the magic recipe that transforms
a desire into reality? Any budding entrepreneur should have the drive, hunger
and determination to achieve her dreams. It is imperative she has the consciousness
to execute on her observations, but what does it take to do so?
As an undergraduate student in the Integrated Marketing Communications program
at Northwestern University, I have done my fair share of reflecting of what disrupting an industry means and what it takes to transform an idea into a business. I found two articles on the power of innovation and finding novelty in the mundane for business opportunities.
So what is it about those that succeed? What is the magic recipe that transforms
a desire into reality? Any budding entrepreneur should have the drive, hunger
and determination to achieve her dreams. It is imperative she has the consciousness
to execute on her observations, but what does it take to do so?
As an undergraduate student in the Integrated Marketing Communications program
at Northwestern University, I have done my fair share of reflecting of what disrupting an industry means and what it takes to transform an idea into a business. I found two articles on the power of innovation and finding novelty in the mundane for business opportunities.
In a recent Wall Street Journal article titled, Welcome to the New Convenience Store,
writer Jane Black highlights the latest business model to be disrupted: the convenience
store. In today’s age, customers are becoming more conscious of their experience at
stop-n-shop stores, such as convenience stores. Convenience and rapidity no longer suffice,
Black writes. Convenience stores AND grocery stores that want to stay relevant and
innovative must ensure the customer experience is nothing but the best.
And as more and more people increase their frequency to grocery stores, the
store experience becomes an even more significant part of the snack/grocery
run customer journey. There are a few markets like Chicago and Denver that are
being disrupted by a small, chic and trendy convenience stores like Foxtrot and Green Zebra
that are disrupting the classic 7-eleven down the street. The founders behind both
of these stores saw in this industry mediocrity, and after this observation,
they executed on their visions.
writer Jane Black highlights the latest business model to be disrupted: the convenience
store. In today’s age, customers are becoming more conscious of their experience at
stop-n-shop stores, such as convenience stores. Convenience and rapidity no longer suffice,
Black writes. Convenience stores AND grocery stores that want to stay relevant and
innovative must ensure the customer experience is nothing but the best.
And as more and more people increase their frequency to grocery stores, the
store experience becomes an even more significant part of the snack/grocery
run customer journey. There are a few markets like Chicago and Denver that are
being disrupted by a small, chic and trendy convenience stores like Foxtrot and Green Zebra
that are disrupting the classic 7-eleven down the street. The founders behind both
of these stores saw in this industry mediocrity, and after this observation,
they executed on their visions.
(Image credit: Aaron Burden, Unsplash)
Similarly, in
How to Build a Culture of Innovation and Turn Every Employee into an Innovation Powerhouse
by Micah Solomon for Forbes, Solomon argues that in order to seek out
opportunities and be inspired driving innovation is needed. He offers some advice
for business executives that focus on encouraging innovation and creativity for employees,
but the advice he gives is also relevant for entrepreneurs. In addition to encouraging creative
flexibility, an embracing of fear and an attitude to dissatisfaction, Solomon makes an
overall argument that people should tap into their observations to create their own reality.
This is exactly what aspiring entrepreneurs need to do.
How to Build a Culture of Innovation and Turn Every Employee into an Innovation Powerhouse
by Micah Solomon for Forbes, Solomon argues that in order to seek out
opportunities and be inspired driving innovation is needed. He offers some advice
for business executives that focus on encouraging innovation and creativity for employees,
but the advice he gives is also relevant for entrepreneurs. In addition to encouraging creative
flexibility, an embracing of fear and an attitude to dissatisfaction, Solomon makes an
overall argument that people should tap into their observations to create their own reality.
This is exactly what aspiring entrepreneurs need to do.
Below I have outlined three key things those who aspire to one day create a business need
to do in order to ensure (potential) success.
to do in order to ensure (potential) success.
Be curious: Intellectual curiosity will allow you to find opportunities in places you
did never thought to look.
did never thought to look.
Think different: Think of how can you differentiate your idea, product or
service from the standard?
service from the standard?
Be shameless: Failure often leads to innovation so allow failure to be present in
your life in order to also welcome unforeseen insights.
your life in order to also welcome unforeseen insights.
As you prepare to one day disrupt an industry, think about how these
three action items can accelerate the process and get you to execute on your idea.
three action items can accelerate the process and get you to execute on your idea.
Ana Cordera is a journalism, sociology and IMC undergraduate student at Northwestern University. She will be graduating in June 2018. She has been actively involved in Form & Function, Northwestern's student-run marketing agency, holding several leadership positions within the group. Connect with her on LinkedIn to discuss branding, entrepreneurship, media, music or your take on the best chocolate brands out there. 
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