Significant traits of entrepreneurs, similarities and differences in business and social enterpreneurs

Background

At one time, all large companies started out as a thought in the entrepreneur's mind. Just think of Ray Crock of McDonalds, Bill Gates of Microsoft, Larry Ellison of Oracle, Sam Walton of Wal-Mart Stores or Steve Jobs of Apple Computer and Pixar - all were ideas in their founders' minds, and look where the companies are today!

There are a number of personality traits, characteristics, and skills that sucessful entrepreneurs have including:

Initiative
High energy
Self-Confidence
Perseverance
Responsibility
Independence
Sensitivity to market needs

In the first case, you are asked to examine and compare these.

Required Reading

Refer to the required and optional readings on entrepreneurship, the theme for this module. These articles will give you a good understanding of the traits of entrepreneurs, and the passion they have for building new enterprises. Pay careful attention to the articles on Steve Jobs (Apple Computer) and Jeff Bezos (Amazon.com); they (along with Bill Gates) are considered to be the three top entrepreneurs of their generation.

Case Assignment Expectations

Please prepare a paper, answering the following three problems:

What are the most significant traits of entrepreneurs?

What are the similarities and differences of business and social entrepreneurs?

Identify the major similarities and difference between the characteristics of business and social entrepreneurs.

Assess the practical value of classification schemes (typologies) focused on defining the traits of successful entrepreneurs.

Keys to the Assignment

The key aspects of this assignment that should be covered in your paper include:

Demonstrate good knowledge of the typologies, traits, and characteristics of entrepreneurs

List the significant traits of entrepreneurs, and relating these to the tasks that an entrepreneur must accomplish to be successful

Fully compare and contrast the characteristics of business and social entrepreneurs. How are they similar and how are they different? Are there generational issues which come into play, e.g., do entrepreneurs from Gen. Y tend to be more social entrepreneurs than business entrepreneurs?

Fully describe why using classification schemes (typologies) does or does not work when it comes to defining the traits of successful entrepreneurs.