Get Ready to Celebrate Entrepreneurs

If you consider yourself to be an entrepreneur, then November has been set aside to celebrate your efforts.

Last year, President Obama declared Nov. 19 as National Entrepreneurs’ Day.  This year, he declared November as National Entrepreneurs’ Month. And, Nov. 14 begins Global Entrepreneurs’ Week.

On Nov. 14, in Germany, hundreds of colorful balloons will be released into the sky above Berlin and other German cities to celebrate the unleashing of entrepreneurial ideas. What separates this activity from other balloon releases is that it is also a competition. Before releasing their balloons, participants will be attaching postcards to their balloon with their information. The 10 balloons that travel the farthest as judged by the Ministry will receive prizes.

The intention of the dedication of this week to entrepreneurs starting on Nov. 14 is to “ensure our startups have access to the resources, connections and partnerships that will promote their success. In America, it takes only a single good idea and the courage to pursue it to change history. In fulfilling this simple promise, these visionaries play a critical role in sparking new industries, expanding our economy and generating new job growth across our country. This month, we celebrate the remarkable and everyday successes of our entrepreneurs and innovators, and we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that our economy remains the engine and the envy of the world.”

Further into the proclamation, there is the assurance that “our best ideas have a chance to get off the ground and into the marketplace.”

This statement stood out for me because in my work with many small business owners, I recognize that there is no lack of ideas. Entrepreneurs are great thinkers and idea generators! Where the dilemma comes in is getting their great ideas into action. Because a great idea with no action, is just a great idea.

I had the good fortune to attend a conference this past weekend. The last afternoon was worth the price of admission. We were split up into groups of 4 and asked to write a goal for our businesses following the SMART requirement for setting a goal. (S specific – M measurable – A  actionable – R reasonable -  T time bound). We shared our goal with each other person at the table and then were asked to share with the group what were the obstacles standing in way of our already having achieved that goal. The very powerful next exercise was for the group to brainstorm how that goal could be achieved. Some very amazing suggestions were shared. A very energizing exercise to end a very valuable conference.

My challenge to readers who are entrepreneurs is to make a list of your great ideas that have yet to become realities. Put your ideas and goals to the same test. What is standing in your way of having your goal achieved NOW? Gather a few people together to brainstorm with you how you could begin to take action to get your big goal “off the ground and into the marketplace.”

I wish you a wonderful Entrepreneurs’ Week.  Anyone interested in a balloon release?