Why do young companies die? Por que empresas jovens morrem?

Businesses mortality is one of the favorite subjects of Management magazines, consultancy companies, students and professors. I have come across the same explanations in most articles and discussions on this subject: lack of planning, business knowledge, difficulties in leading with growth and family crisis (when it is a family business) among others. However, risk tolerance and the “illusion” of an easy way of getting wealthy as an entrepreneur are hardly ever mentioned .

I like to allude to dreams as glamorous dragons when referring to entrepreneurship, and do believe our dreams are never plain and do deserve this sort of comparison. But achieving them is hard work; no free lunches; no guarantees of a steady income in the end of the month. I talked to several people who alleged giving up their adventures after six months or a year because the venture was not worth the profit, that they could not make a living out of it. Well, let's analyze it: there is the investment- the venture capital, the market recognition work, the competitors... yes, all should be part of the business plan. But what is the real reason for such instant frustration?

The entrepreneur is, in fact, mythical, famous for being a genius or a lucky person, sort of a Midas who whatever touches turns into gold. Yes, he has vision, takes risks and seizes opportunities, but not everything works just fine. His passion and will of making his dream come true makes him keep going, and even after many failures, he finds himself two jobs, raises some capital to reinvest in his dream and motivates people to join him.

I believe the market lacks entrepreneurship courses rooted in the every day reality of the entrepreneur, where case studies shown will be the ones of the bakery and drugstore at the corner, or about friends and acquaintances that create or are creating success. How did Jefferson's consultancy company was born? How about Felipe and Karen's Mistralis? And Romanha? Vapza?

I know a lot of people and their companies and decided to become a story teller. I will need your help, though. Tell me your stories and I promise I will post and translate them. Let's go international!

"Harlem"

Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore -

And then run?

Does it sink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over? -

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does is explode?

A mortalidade das empresas é um dos assuntos favoritos de revistas de administração, consultorias especializadas, alunos e professores. Tenho encontrado as mesmas explicações na maioria dos artigos e debates a respeito: falta de planejamento, conhecimento do negócio, inexperiência em lidar com o crescimento, crises familiares (no caso de empresas familiares) entre outros. Mas a tolerância ao risco e a ilusão de enriquecer facilmente como empresário são poucas vezes comentadas.

Gosto de me referir aos sonhos como dragões glamorosos quando falo de empreendedorismo, e realmente acredito que nossos sonhos nunca são banais e merecem toda essa pompa. Agora, é trabalho duro, sem muita folga, sem a certeza de faturamento igual todo final de mês. Muitas pessoas com quem converso que desistiram de suas aventuras alegam não ter dado certo pois em seis meses ou um ano ainda não estavam tirando um lucro que valesse a pena. Vejamos: há o investimento inicial, o trabalho de reconhecimento do mercado, os concorrentes... sim, isso tudo poderia fazer parte de um planejamento inicial, mas o que causa tamanha frustração?

O empreendedor é de fato um ser mitificado, que recebe a fama de gênio e sortudo, aquele Midas que em tudo que toca vira ouro. Sim, ele tem visão, corre riscos, aproveita as oportunidades no momento certo, mas nem sempre tudo dá certo. Aquela paixão, o sonho e a vontade de conseguir realizar o sonho é o que o faz prosseguir, e após várias quedas tentar novamente, arrumar dois empregos, levantar um capital extra para reinvestir no sonho, motivar outros e seguir com ele. Acredito que faltam cursos de empreendedorismo mais pautados na realidade do empreendedor, com estudos de casos que contem a história toda: como foi que a loja, a panificadora, a farmácia do bairro surgiram? E a consultoria do Jefferson? O Mistralis do Felipe e da Karen? Resolvi virar uma contadora de histórias, mas pra isso vou precisar da ajuda de vocês. Contem as suas ou as histórias de outros conhecidos. Prometo postá-las aqui e até traduzi-las, já que esse é um blog internacional!...; )

"Harlem"

Langston Hughes

O que acontece quando se adia um sonho?

Ele seca...

como uma passa ao sol?

Ou inflama, como um machucado -

E então purga?

Ele fede como carne podre?

Ou cria uma crosta açucarada -

como um doce açucarado?

Talvez apenas pese

Como uma carga pesada.

Ou explode?

Skills and Competencies

In an English class, we were discussing the difference in meaning of Skills and Competencies. After some research, we realized that the best explanation would contrast the ability concept (skills) with knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) which would sum up behaviors able to translate the so desired "competencies".
Every day employees face decisions to be taken and have to count on their intuition (knowledge enhanced by their experience), skills and attitude (persistence, risk tolerance, internal locus of control, ...) that will be evaluated by employes and audits . Is it correct to say that the competencies desired by most companies are entrepreneurial ones? And what is in fact being done by educational institutions to meet this demand?

"nenhum vencedor acredita no acaso." Friedrich Nietzsche

" As pessoas me perguntam se posso dizer-lhes como fazer para que seus sonhos se tornem realidade. Minha resposta e: façam-no por meio do seu trabalho." Walt Disney

Dreaming, Rehearsing and Acting

We used to think that success comes from dreaming first, then establishing the strategic plan. Well, these steps depend on one another. Only dreaming doesn't bring accomplishment and planning requires passion as fundamental for its realization . A third step is necessary to shape an equilateral triangle, though, and that is action. I chose the triangle cause the three steps play equal importance and in this new landscape can not be considered a logical sequence anymore. It is a time when we are demanded to learn how to perform while dreaming....
Like an actor in the film of his life, a successful entrepreneur is the one who dreams, rehearses and acts, apparently all at the same time.

The path

An entrepreneur faces different life perceptions at the various stages of the path. At half way, anxiety turns into a mild restless and this is because we realize there is not endless time left. Life is short and it can be sweet for certain. It depends on us and our choices. You can be either at the top of your own company or in the pursue of your best profession accomplishment you will wish for more, and get conscious of your inner strength as well as what serves you and what doesn't. Again, the searcher at the very beginning of the path.

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Of Dreams and Dragons.....

Everybody has dreams and ideas. Some are ideas that become dreams,
some are illusions, challenges which are feasible or not. It does not
matter how they are born but what we can do of them. I call mine
dragons, as powerful and threatening, glamorous and charming dragons
can be. Who hasn't fallen for "The last one" in Sean Connery's voice?
Whatever the case, fighting against them is always a mistake. Fire and
smoke... strength and power... they can crush you without warning.
Surrender is not that good either. You can spend a whole life waiting
to see them fly in all their glory and die without any glimpse of it.
The smell of the smoke, the uncomfortable presence of the unknown. The
best solution is to tame the beast. Have you ever imagined yourself
being able to fly the highest skies and being able to see the wonders
of the conquered land?

Two weeks ago, John Carpenter, a friend, recommended me a book called "The Dream Manager", by Matthew Kelly. It is about "thinking" your employees, about commitment and relevance. But it is, most of all, about people and their dreams. It's been ages working and talking to and about people, their uniqueness, source of teachers' and bosses' inspiration and desperation, so different they are! People hold different universes inside: undeniable truth! And if an opportunity to make dreams possible is made available, commitment can be forged. I know skepticism and comfort zone walk together, but having an educator's heart, I keep saying: people are fascinating and able of changing - yes, they are! We cannot make other people's jobs, and motivation is one-self's responsibility, but we can offer opportunities and consulting.

Some sentences from the book:

"The employees know things about our business that we don't know."

"Isn't one of the primary responsibilities of all relationships to help each other fulfill our dreams?"

"Help your employees in the direction of their dreams and you will create the most dynamic environment in Corporate America!"

"Don't be afraid to take a big step if it is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps."

Well, let's manage dreams!!!

Non-stop English Immersion - Embrapa Florestas

It was a great educational experience to format Embrapa Florestas Immersion that took place in Guaratuba, PR. During 10 days, on the weeks of 16th to 30th October and 9th to 13th November a group of 16 people had their English brushed up and got prepared to make presentations in English about their projects, projects that are already ongoing or that will be presented national and internationally. They had lectures and workshops on Climate Change and Global Warming, Forest Market, Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Team work and Presentation Techniques.

It was hard work but the outcome was amazing. You can appreciate some of their presentations and check the quality of the work. I take the opportunite to congratulate all the students and facilitators on their great achievement. You will be able to check details at On The Road's webpage soon: www.ontheroadidiomas.com.br

Empreendedorismo, e daí?

Gostei muito de participar como uma das palestrantes no evento da Fesp com a palestra "Empreendedorismo, e daí?" Os principais assuntos abordados foram a Desmitificação do Empreendedor e Social Media, a velocidade das informações, o que de fato importa. Tenho conversado com amigos, colegas e alunos a esse respeito e percebo que as questões continuam as mesmas:

• Pode-se ensinar Empreendedorismo?
• Media Social, qual seu uso real para as empresas?

Nada como histórias reais para elucidar teorias. Sintam-se a vontade para contar suas histórias. Aproveitem para dar uma olhada nos links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8

http://www.fesppr.br/2008/index.php?ir=ver_noticia&id=1187

I enjoyed the invitation to participate as a Lecturer at FESP event. My talk was " Entrepreneurship, so what?" and the main issues were De-mythifying the Entrepreneur and Social Media : what really matters as information speeds, how should we deal with all that. Talking to al lot of colleagues, friends and students I have realized the main concerns are the same:

• Can Entrepreneurship be taught?
• What is Social Media's role for business?

Nothing like true stories to bring life to theory. Feel free to tell your stories.

Some inspiring link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8

and FESP's http://www.fesppr.br/2008/index.php?ir=ver_noticia&id=1187