Sara Orellana
By Sarra Orellana
The most appealing aspect of entrepreneurship is encountering the steep, continuous learning curve. This year, I have been focused on skills. Here are 11 skills every entrepreneur needs.
Leadership: Whether you are a solopreneur or have a team, you are a leader. Understanding what kind of leader you are, working to be the best version of yourself, and choosing the right leadership style will set you up for success.
Time management: No matter your system, understanding how to manage your time, both personal and professional, will ensure you meet deadlines, and have time for growth, self-care, and your family.
Sales: Sales fuel our businesses. Learning how to create meaningful connections and build relationships will increase your sales and ultimately grow your business.
Communication: Communication is an art. We must listen to what people are truly saying. Remember, most of our communication happens through tone of voice and body language. Focus on clear, concise communication.
Financial Savvy: A great idea and strong sales will not ensure the success of your business if you cannot manage your finances. Learn how to use a cash flow sheet to pivot as needed.
Curiosity: When we are curious about a problem, or think we can create a more efficient solution, we create new business ideas. Always be curious.
Ability to Inspire: Entrepreneurs must be able to inspire their team, clients, and funders. Because we are often selling our ideas and thoughts, if we cannot inspire others, we won’t be successful.
Stress Management: Every path in life is stressful. Rather than trying to find a less stressful path, focus on stress management. A great technique is a movement snack. A movement snack is when you elevate your heart rate for 10 minutes. This snack will not only lower your stress, but also increase your brain power.
Consumer Focus: Our employees are our most vital resource. We must value our employees while remaining focused on our consumers’ needs.
Adaptability: No matter how well a strategy is created, we must be able to adapt. I like to say that I have plans A-C, but I’m skilled at flying by the seat of my pants.
Vision: When we can communicate our vision, our businesses will be successful.
Mastering these 11 skills will not only make you a better entrepreneur, but will also strengthen your business.
Sara Orellana, MS, MPH is an independent entrepreneur who specializes in strategic planning, leadership, and grant writing. She can be reached at sara@3raptorconsulting.com.