Was There a Buzz at the BBC?

Was there a buzz at last Friday’s BBC meeting? Oh yes. I could feel it as I walked around the room. Six groups of BBC members took their first shot at the “Your Own Personal Board of Director’s” exercise and the energy in the room was contagious. Way to go BBC!

This week we are going to continue the exercise only this time each “board” member will bring their own issue to the table. What strategy or idea have you been struggling with? What can you do better to generate business in these tough times? What do others in your entrepreneurial situation think?

While you ponder that, I found this article about “Type of Entrepreneurs” that was kind of interesting.

Why this is so important to the mission of the BBC – specifically your chosen “Board of Directors” is that it takes a good combination of these personality types to build a successful strategy. See if you can find yourself in these descriptions, and then see if you can spot them with the people that you have in your group:

The Nine Personality Types of Entrepreneurs By Darrell Zahorsky, About.com Guide

  1. The Improver: If you operate your business predominately in the improver mode, you are focused on using your company as a means to improve the world. Your overarching motto is: morally correct companies will be rewarded working on a noble cause. Improvers have an unwavering ability to run their business with high integrity and ethics.Personality Alert: Be aware of your tendency to be a perfectionist and over-critical of employees and customers.Entrepreneur example: Anita Roddick, Founder of The Body Shop.
  2. The Advisor: This business personality type will provide an extremely high level of assistance and advice to customers. The advisor’s motto is: the customer is right and we must do everything to please them. Companies built by advisors become customer focused.Personality Alert: Advisors can become totally focused on the needs of their business and customers that they may ignore their own needs and ultimately burn out.Entrepreneur example: John W. Nordstrom, Founder Nordstrom.
  3. The Superstar: Here the business is centered around the charisma and high energy of the Superstar CEO. This personality often will cause you to build your business around your own personal brand.Personality Alert: Can be too competitive and workaholics. Entrepreneur example: Donald Trump, CEO of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts.
  4. The Artist: This business personality is the reserved but highly creative type. Often found in businesses demanding creativity such as web design and ad agencies. As an artist type you’ll tend to build your business around the unique talents and creativities you have. Personality Alert: You may be overly sensitive to your customer’s responses even if the feedback is constructive. Let go the negative self-image. Entrepreneur example: Scott Adams, Creator of Dilbert.
  5. The Visionary: A business built by a Visionary will often be based on the future vision and thoughts of the founder. You will have a high degree of curiosity to understand the world around you and will set-up plans to avoid the landmines. Personality Alert: Visionaries can be too focused on the dream with little focus on reality. Action must proceed vision. Entrepreneurial example: Bill Gates, Founder of MicroSoft Inc.
  6. The Analyst: If you run a business as an Analyst, your company is focus on fixing problems in a systematic way. Often the basis for science, engineering or computer firms, Analyst companies excel at problem solving. Personality Alert: Be aware of analysis paralysis. Work on trusting others. Entrepreneurial example: Intel Founder, Gordon Moore.
  7. The Fireball: A business owned and operated by a Fireball is full of life, energy and optimism. Your company is life-energizing and makes customers feel the company has a get it done attitude in a fun playful manner. Personality Alert: You may over commit your teams and act to impulsively. Balance your impulsiveness with business planning. Entrepreneurial example: Malcolm Forbes, Publisher, Forbes Magazine.
  8. The Hero: You have an incredible will and ability to lead the world and your business through any challenge. You are the essence of entrepreneurship and can assemble great companies. Personality Alert: Over promising and using force full tactics to get your way will not work long term. To be successful, trust your leadership skills to help others find their way. Entrepreneurial example: Jack Welch, CEO GE.
  9. The Healer: If you are a Healer, you provide nurturing and harmony to your business. You have an uncanny ability to survive and persist with an inner calm. Personality Alert: Because of your caring, healing attitude toward your business, you may avoid outside realities and use wishful thinking. Use scenario planning to prepare for turmoil. Entrepreneurial example: Ben Cohen, Co-Founder Of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream.

Each business personality type can succeed in the business environment if you stay true to your character. Knowing firmly what your strong traits are can act as a compass for your small business. If you are building a team, this insight is invaluable. For the solo business owners, understand that you may need outside help to balance your business personality.

I have a couple of speakers negotiating for time on our schedule so keep your eye on the website. Subjects: Personal Leadership Strategies, and “Sales and the Telephone”…is it for your business?

Don’t miss your cup of BBC!

Tim Longley

BBC Chair