What do you do if your entrepreneurial instincts are telling you to take a risk?
As an entrepreneur, you may often face situations where your gut feeling tells you to take a risk, whether it's launching a new product, entering a new market, or pivoting your business model. But how do you know if your entrepreneurial instincts are reliable, and how do you balance them with rational analysis and evidence? In this article, we will explore some tips and strategies to help you make smart and informed decisions when your entrepreneurial instincts are telling you to take a risk.
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Ahella El SabanTop Voice Entrepreneurship, Consumer Behaviour and Branding| Exits MENA|Awarded Top 50 Women Entrepreneurs| Doctoral…
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The Hood Efits Foundation LimitedFinancial Consulting, Career Development Coaching, Leadership Development, Public Speaking, Property Law, Real Estate…
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Youcef ABDAOUIFounder Ears 360 - Entrepreneur
The first step is to assess the opportunity that the risk presents. What is the problem that you are trying to solve, and how does your solution fit the needs and wants of your target customers? How big is the market potential, and how competitive is the landscape? What are the benefits and costs of taking the risk, and what are the alternatives and trade-offs? By answering these questions, you can clarify your value proposition, identify your unique selling points, and evaluate your chances of success.
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In an overcrowded ecosystem, you need to be honest. Taking a risk with a clear risk management is ok. We can’t be fool proof with our strategy & execution always. As with many other things in life, we clearly understand the risk with a honest view. We try to suppress the internal assessments to go with a popular trend. Winners don’t do different things, they just do things differently. Understanding the risk is a great tool to succeed. Competitive Advantage is extremely critical for an entrepreneur. Study the risk Evaluate Moat- competitive ring fence Evaluate execution capabilities Degree of dependence on others End to End goal mapping As long as you tick all these boxes, please take the risk to be a standout Entrepreneur.
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Embracing your entrepreneurial instincts & encouraging you to take a bold risk signifies a pivotal moment in your life. Assess the potential rewards against calculated risks. Conduct thorough research, gather insights, & weigh the possible consequences. Mitigate risks wherever possible, but don't shy away from well-calculated bold moves. Trust your instincts, but let them be guided by informed decisions. Taking risks is inherent to entrepreneurship; it's about finding the balance between bold innovation, execution, and strategic caution. Embrace the challenge, & let calculated risks be stepping stones to your entrepreneurial success. Remember, in the era of entrepreneurship, well-calibrated risks often lead to the most rewarding outcomes.
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It's a pivotal aspect of the entrepreneurial journey, and I believe that we can; Reflect on the nature of the risk and how it aligns with your long-term goals and values. Conduct a thorough analysis of potential risks and benefits associated with the decision. Gather data and insights about the market conditions, industry trends, and competitor actions. Ensure your financial situation allows for some flexibility and can absorb potential setbacks.
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If your entrepreneurial instincts are telling you to take a risk, then listen to them but proceed with caution. A feeling is just a bunch of chemicals ripping through your brain. You need hard data. Hopefully you've surrounded yourself with a few entrepreneurs you can trust to give you some honest feedback on the idea and ideally some mentors that have been around awhile that will hit you with the unvarnished truth. Read up, look for success stories that are similar. Copy them to start is decent strategy. This should be a logic only decision.
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Evaluate the Risk: Understand the nature of the risk. Is it a calculated risk that could lead to high rewards, or is it a reckless risk that could jeopardize your business? Research: Gather as much information as possible about the risk. This could involve market research, speaking to experts, or analyzing similar risks taken by other businesses.
The second step is to validate your assumptions. No matter how confident you are in your entrepreneurial instincts, you need to test them against reality. You can do this by conducting market research, customer interviews, surveys, focus groups, or experiments. The goal is to gather feedback and data that can either support or challenge your hypotheses, and help you refine your product-market fit. You can use tools like the lean canvas or the business model canvas to map out your assumptions and validation methods.
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Making a Risk Assessment. After the risk has been identified,they must be prioritized in accordance with an assessment of their probability. The first step is to establish a probability scale for the purposes of risk assessment. For example, risks may: Be very likely to occur.
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Testez vos idées à petite échelle pour valider vos hypothèses avant de vous engager pleinement. Utilisez des enquêtes, des prototypes, et des MVP (produits minimums viables) pour recueillir des données concrètes qui étayeront vos décisions.
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You can make offers before the product is made and presell in many instances. Especially information and education products. This way you get to test the idea and income to actually build the product or service.
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In the second phase of risk management, it's vital to validate your assumptions. Regardless of your entrepreneurial confidence, real-world testing is essential. Engage in market research, customer interviews, surveys, focus groups, or experiments to collect feedback and data. This process either supports or challenges your hypotheses, refining your understanding of the product-market fit. Utilizing tools like the lean canvas or business model canvas helps systematically map assumptions and validation methods, providing a robust foundation for accurate risk assessment and strategic decision-making.
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Jensen Huang has recently become popular CEO after that LLM mania. But if you have followed him long enough you know that instead of metrics he likes to use Early indicators of future success or EIOFS. Meaning 1. what im betting on is that something done by others better? 2. Will it be done better without us? 3. Will this be an area where without us world will still do well? Amazing set of questions to ask to establish EIOFS
The third step is to manage the risk. Even if you have a strong opportunity and validated assumptions, there is still a chance that things may go wrong. You need to anticipate and mitigate the possible risks that may arise, such as technical issues, legal obstacles, financial constraints, or market changes. You can use tools like the SWOT analysis or the risk matrix to identify and prioritize the risks, and plan how to avoid, reduce, or transfer them. You also need to set clear goals and metrics to measure your progress and performance, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
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Weigh the potential benefits against the potential drawbacks. If the potential benefits significantly outweigh the drawbacks, it might be a risk worth taking. Plan: Develop a plan for how you will manage the risk. This could include contingency plans for what you will do if things don’t go as expected.
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Successful Entrepreneurial journeys are predominantly about Managing risks. Visualizing the "worst case" scenario empowers you to deal with surprises. How do you Manage Risk? understand & define the risks understand & evaluate the impact analysis understand ammunitions/war chest available understand exit plan at every stage of growth understand & develop being on the edge always understand gap analysis understand & list weaker sections within business understand element of time in dealing with risks Risk is broad term, they must be color coded in order of priority. Develop a code with the consent of all stakeholders to create a Risk Book. Deep dive into categorizing the risk, the job is half done to Manage Risk.
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You've got a great idea and you've checked it out with real people, but there's still a chance things might not go as planned. It's time to be ready for that. Think about what could go wrong, like technical stuff acting up, legal stuff getting in the way, money running tight, or the market changing unexpectedly. There are tools out there, like the SWOT analysis or the risk matrix, that can help you figure out what could mess things up and how to deal with it. You have to set clear goals and keep an eye on how things are going, so you can tweak your plan if needed.
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Risk management is a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating potential threats. Here's a breakdown of the process: Identify risks: Brainstorm potential issues that could impact your goals. Analyze risks: Assess the likelihood and severity of each risk. Develop a plan: Determine how to address each risk. This could involve avoiding, reducing, transferring, or accepting the risk. Implement and monitor: Put your plan into action and track its effectiveness. By following these steps, you can increase your chances of achieving your goals and minimize potential losses.
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Identifiez les risques potentiels et mettez en place des stratégies pour les atténuer. Cela peut inclure la diversification, la mise en place de filets de sécurité financiers, ou l'adoption d'une approche modulable pour évoluer progressivement.
The fourth step is to seek advice and support. You don't have to take the risk alone. You can benefit from the insights and experiences of other entrepreneurs, mentors, advisors, or experts who have faced similar challenges or opportunities. You can also leverage the resources and networks of your partners, suppliers, investors, or customers who can help you access new markets, channels, or funding. You can seek advice and support through various platforms, such as online communities, events, programs, or courses.
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There is a time to listen and a time to act. Many people may lack courage and could project this on you. Do not let it influence you. You know there is an opportunity. Listen to advice but ultimately it is up to you to move forward.
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In managing risks, seeking advice and support is crucial. You don't have to face risks alone. Benefit from the insights and experiences of other entrepreneurs, mentors, advisors, or experts who have encountered similar challenges. Leverage the resources and networks of your partners, suppliers, investors, or customers to access new markets, channels, or funding. Seek guidance through various platforms like online communities, events, programs, or courses. Collaborative insights and support enhance your ability to navigate risks and increase the likelihood of successful outcomes.
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Entrepreneurship is inherently risky, but you don't have to go it alone. Seeking advice and support from experienced mentors, advisors, and other entrepreneurs can be invaluable. Their experience can help you identify potential risks, develop strategies to mitigate them, and make more informed decisions. Leveraging your network and platforms like social media can also be a great way to connect with potential mentors and advisors, as well as access valuable resources. This strong support system can act as a guiding light and help your venture flourish.
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Entourez-vous de mentors, de conseillers et d'une équipe de confiance qui peuvent vous offrir des perspectives précieuses. Leur expérience et leur soutien peuvent être cruciaux dans les moments de doute.
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Seek Advice: Speak to mentors, advisors, or other entrepreneurs who have faced similar decisions. They can provide valuable insights and advice. entrepreneurship often involves taking risks. However, the key is to take calculated risks that have been thoroughly evaluated and planned for. It’s also important to be prepared to learn from the outcomes, whether they are positive or negative. This is how businesses grow and innovate .
The fifth step is to trust your intuition. After you have done your homework, gathered feedback, managed the risks, and sought advice, you still need to make the final decision. At this point, you may have to rely on your entrepreneurial instincts, which are based on your knowledge, experience, and passion. You may not have all the answers or guarantees, but you have a vision and a conviction. You need to trust your intuition and take action, while being open to learning and adapting along the way.
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Trusting intuition has helped me big time. As Naval Ravikant says, "Be impatient with your actions and patience with your results". Once you trust your intuition and take action, don't expect immediate results. Have patience. That is an important virtue for an entrepreneur. To listen to your intuition, your mind must be calm and composed. That's where meditation helps you. In entrepreneurial life, every day is a roller coaster. You are happy at 10 am disappointed at 11 am, and super happy by 2 pm. Because every hour, you may get new opportunities, good news from customers, rejections, and disappointments. The mind is always working. To listen to your intuition, your mind must be calm. Practice meditation whenever possible.
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Trusting your intuition is a vital step in the freelancing journey. After conducting thorough research, seeking feedback, managing risks, and consulting with others, the final decision often hinges on your gut feeling. Your intuition is a powerful tool, shaped by your accumulated knowledge, experiences, and intrinsic passion for your work. It guides you in making decisions that align with your values and goals, even when data and advice present a mixed picture. Listening to your instincts can lead you to innovative solutions and choices that resonate deeply with your entrepreneurial spirit, helping you navigate the complex landscape of freelancing with confidence and authenticity.
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Intuition is not a random feeling. It is a total sum of your understanding to a specific situation. What could be the potential factors, that could help you decide if your intuition is informed understanding the opportunity end to end speak to people who have been in similar situation how has your "past" intuitions worked run through the steps- forming of intuition socialize your intuition within your network be your own devil's advocate Acting on basis of intuition should not be impulsive. What are the risks associated with it is something that you need to carry along till the end. As an Entrepreneur, you are born only when you understand risk optimization. Understand downside protection to go with flow on Intuition.
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In navigating risks, trusting your intuition is crucial. After doing your homework, gathering feedback, managing risks, and seeking advice, the final decision often rests on your entrepreneurial instincts. These instincts, shaped by knowledge, experience, and passion, guide you even when answers or guarantees are not explicit. Trust your intuition, take action, and remain open to learning and adapting along the way.
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After thorough preparation and informed decision-making, trusting your intuition becomes pivotal in entrepreneurship. It's important to listen to your gut feeling, especially after you've carefully considered all the facts, gathered feedback, and weighed the risks. Your intuition is based on your knowledge, experience, and passion, and it can help you make choices that are aligned with your vision. However, it's also important to be adaptable and open to learning from your experiences. If things don't go according to plan, don't be afraid to adjust your course. Trusting your intuition is about using your inner wisdom to make the best decisions you can, but it's always a good idea to be open to learning and growing.
The sixth step is to celebrate your achievements. Taking a risk is not easy, and it requires courage, creativity, and resilience. Whether you succeed or fail, you should acknowledge and appreciate your efforts and outcomes. You should celebrate your achievements, big or small, and share them with your team, customers, and supporters. You should also reflect on your learnings, feedback, and mistakes, and use them to improve your future endeavors. You should be proud of yourself for following your entrepreneurial instincts and taking a risk.
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Entrepreneurial journey isn't a bed of roses. You must learn to embrace the challenges that it presents. There should always be watershed moments in the journey. Small celebrations matter a lot in keeping the journey engaging & meaningful. Marathon involves lot of watersheds that feed you with electrolytes & energy boosters. Entrepreneurial journey isn't any different. Flow of events on celebration have a full script of end to end journey break them into multiple components -focus define milestones- for self evaluation celebrate milestones- motivation for the next leg Celebration is often mistaken as a distraction. I would rather say Celebration reinforces the focus & intensity that an Entrepreneur should have all through the journey.
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Prendre des risques peut être éprouvant. N'oubliez pas de célébrer vos réussites, même les petites, car elles constituent les fondations de votre confiance et de votre résilience futures.
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When entrepreneurial instincts urge you to take a risk, first pause and assess. Research thoroughly to understand the potential outcomes, risks, and rewards. Consult with mentors or industry experts to gain diverse perspectives. It's also vital to evaluate your business's capacity to withstand the worst-case scenario. If the risk aligns with your long-term vision and you have a clear strategy, consider taking a calculated leap. Remember, innovation often requires stepping out of comfort zones, but preparation and strategic planning significantly increase the chances of success.
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É muito comum o empreendedor se apaixonar pela ideia que teve. O que é um grande risco! Deve-se sempre olhar o problema da sociedade que o negócio vai resolver. Qual a dor daquele grupo de pessoas que o empreendedor percebeu uma sacada para atender melhor ou de forma diferente? Olhar para a solução e não para o problema é um grande risco para o negócio. O impede de se atualizar e coloca o empreendedor num "looping narcisista".
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When you experience that compulsion to take a risk step back and become aware what is going on your mind and emotions. Ask yourself where did this come from? Was it something you saw or read? A piece of marketing? Is someone trying to sell you their service by "inspiring" you to take this risk? Who else benefits. Just because a feeling or instinct manifests within you its not always your thoughts. Many times you can be influenced by external sources. Nothing worse than jumping into something based upon a compulsion emotion or imagined future to find out reality is the opposite. Sleep on it step back and take time to work out what is really going on before taking the leap.
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Doing business is taking risk consistently, it is the type of risk you take and what the setbacks can be for your company. Example after hard word you earn 1 mln and than somebody says double or nothing....that´s an irresponsible risk. As en entrepreneur you know you are going to loose and win and you have to assess when you have to go all in or take incremental steps. Not taking risks, basically means the end of your company and entrepreneurship
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Heard this and it stuck with me: What looks like a big risk to someone on the outside can look like a pretty safe bet to an entrepreneur that knows what they’re doing. Two reasons for this: - Good entrepreneurs are really familiar with their market, their customer, their team. - A lot of risk goes away if you make the decision to stick and stay. Yes there is risk, but a lot of whether it was a good or bad decision depends on what you do AFTER the decision is made.
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