What you learned at corporate that will help you run a small business

Spent the last decade working for a large corporation but now ready to try something different? You are more prepared then you might think. Don’t get me wrong there are a million things you will learn in your first year after buying a business but here are a few things you already learned and how they will help you succeed in entrepreneurship.

Asking for help- In corporate there is always a subject matter expert you can reach out to for advice. As an entrepreneur you will quickly need to learn all kinds of new skills fast. Take a cue from your old play book and don’t hesitate to reach out to experts for advice as you tackle new problems.

Thinking Big! — Hey you’ve played in the big leagues and you know what growth with lots of resources looks like. Use that way of thinking to set your ambitions high. Don’t rule out the possibility of growing by acquiring a competitor, spending money on smart advertising or paying for expert assistance when you need it.

Navigating politics — You might be dying to get away from corporate politics but managing different people’s agendas is great learning for managing your future employees. To master the art of politics you need to understand people’s motivations and ambitions. Turn that insight into becoming a great manager.

Stamina — Everyone says things move faster as an entrepreneur and in some ways they do, but managing a life style business is a long term project. Your long term corporate timelines have taught you to measure projects in years, plan for the unknowns, and build in lots of milestones to celebrate success along the way. You will be happier if you plan the future of your small business in the same way. Celebrate the wins and build over time.

Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone but given that you read this blog post it might just be the right thing for you. Consider buying a great local business and use your incredible experience to grow it over time.