Are You a Closet Entrepreneur?
Go Out on Your Own with Your Current Employer's Help
by Olivet Jones
Are you dreaming of starting a business while you're logging time at a corporate job? You don't have to count the days until you can leave -- make the most of your position. You can leverage your corporate experience to sharpen the skills you'll need to launch your own business.
Below is some advice for those of you who want to go from corporate worker to freewheeling entrepreneur?
Take Advantage of Where You Are Now
- Start planning today: Put a business plan together while you have resources available. Just be sure you do your entrepreneurial research on your own time.
- Use your employee perks: Take advantage of tuition reimbursement programs to shore up your knowledge in core areas of business, or try those free seminars the HR department has been telling you about. Both you and your company will benefit from your new skills. Target your weak areas and look for classes and programs that will help you address them before you make the leap.
- Look for increased responsibility: Seek out projects at work that will help build your credibility.
- Live below your means: Plan for entrepreneurship's financial challenges while you're still working full-time.
- Build a brain trust: Find people who can be your advisers.
Before you make the break to pursue your dream, nurture and develop your network. If you don't have them already, seek out company mentors; they may be a great resource for you in the future.
See our Diversity forum http://forums.monster.co.uk/forum.asp?forum=3296
