Comments on: Two Types of Entrepreneur: "Alpha" and "Beta" http://punctuative.com/2008/03/23/two-types-of-entrepreneur-alpha-and-beta/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:26:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: John Williamson http://punctuative.com/2008/03/23/two-types-of-entrepreneur-alpha-and-beta/#comment-57929 John Williamson Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:27:33 +0000 http://punctuative.com/2008/03/23/two-types-of-entrepreneur-alpha-and-beta/#comment-57929 Very interesting topic. It seems like a natural observation that should be talked about more frequently. At the last Forge Louisville event, Andy Swan made a fantastic point about ideas versus execution, noting that each of us have a dozen ideas, so we must focus on the execution of the best one(s). I think that Ben has a great point. Alpha entrepreneurs will turn into Beta entrepreneurs because they have to become better at execution in order to stay in the game. Perhaps the trick is to harvest that Alpha spirit inside Beta-stage entrepreneurs. I have known (and been inside of) each camp, noticing that the Alpha entrepreneur doesn't seem to see what they are missing on the execution side of things. Perhaps there is a way to "teach" Alphas about execution without destroying the ingenuity that drives them. Very interesting topic. It seems like a natural observation that should be talked about more frequently. At the last Forge Louisville event, Andy Swan made a fantastic point about ideas versus execution, noting that each of us have a dozen ideas, so we must focus on the execution of the best one(s).

I think that Ben has a great point. Alpha entrepreneurs will turn into Beta entrepreneurs because they have to become better at execution in order to stay in the game. Perhaps the trick is to harvest that Alpha spirit inside Beta-stage entrepreneurs. I have known (and been inside of) each camp, noticing that the Alpha entrepreneur doesn’t seem to see what they are missing on the execution side of things. Perhaps there is a way to “teach” Alphas about execution without destroying the ingenuity that drives them.

]]> By: Todd http://punctuative.com/2008/03/23/two-types-of-entrepreneur-alpha-and-beta/#comment-57925 Todd Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:17:43 +0000 http://punctuative.com/2008/03/23/two-types-of-entrepreneur-alpha-and-beta/#comment-57925 well at least now i know the name of my affliction. i have been working on developing the beta side without knowing its name but it does not come naturally. i think i realized about a year ago that a business cannot survive on alpha alone. helps with clarity to give things a name. dude - you rock. well at least now i know the name of my affliction. i have been working on developing the beta side without knowing its name but it does not come naturally. i think i realized about a year ago that a business cannot survive on alpha alone. helps with clarity to give things a name. dude - you rock.

]]> By: Matt http://punctuative.com/2008/03/23/two-types-of-entrepreneur-alpha-and-beta/#comment-57901 Matt Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:23:54 +0000 http://punctuative.com/2008/03/23/two-types-of-entrepreneur-alpha-and-beta/#comment-57901 Ben - yes, and rarely the other way around (a largely beta developing creative insight to help reinvent or transition a business). Love your "biz journal." Best, Matt Ben - yes, and rarely the other way around (a largely beta developing creative insight to help reinvent or transition a business). Love your “biz journal.”

Best,
Matt

]]> By: Ben http://punctuative.com/2008/03/23/two-types-of-entrepreneur-alpha-and-beta/#comment-57888 Ben Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:45:02 +0000 http://punctuative.com/2008/03/23/two-types-of-entrepreneur-alpha-and-beta/#comment-57888 Great stuff. I think most of us focus on ideas because it's so easy; we can look at some business, and tell its entrepreneur within seconds what she's doing wrong. But, if you work with that entrepreneur on a daily basis, you'll see the complexities associated with her business, and how a two-second idea doesn't really resonate with what she's trying to accomplish with her resources. I think most people start out as alpha entrepreneurs, but once they're in their daily grinds, struggling with the brutal realities of running a business, they transition to beta entrepreneurs (i.e. if they're still in it). Great stuff.

I think most of us focus on ideas because it’s so easy; we can look at some business, and tell its entrepreneur within seconds what she’s doing wrong. But, if you work with that entrepreneur on a daily basis, you’ll see the complexities associated with her business, and how a two-second idea doesn’t really resonate with what she’s trying to accomplish with her resources. I think most people start out as alpha entrepreneurs, but once they’re in their daily grinds, struggling with the brutal realities of running a business, they transition to beta entrepreneurs (i.e. if they’re still in it).

]]> By: Matt http://punctuative.com/2008/03/23/two-types-of-entrepreneur-alpha-and-beta/#comment-57810 Matt Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:44:08 +0000 http://punctuative.com/2008/03/23/two-types-of-entrepreneur-alpha-and-beta/#comment-57810 Thanks, Nick! A further exploration would describe what's clearly a continuum of alpha/beta in any given entrepreneur. Best, Matt Thanks, Nick!

A further exploration would describe what’s clearly a continuum of alpha/beta in any given entrepreneur.

Best,
Matt

]]> By: nick http://punctuative.com/2008/03/23/two-types-of-entrepreneur-alpha-and-beta/#comment-57805 nick Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:15:16 +0000 http://punctuative.com/2008/03/23/two-types-of-entrepreneur-alpha-and-beta/#comment-57805 That's an interesting topic, Matt, and one to which I can relate as someone who has assuredly had some alpha tendencies suspended for a while. Masquerading as a beta for the last few years, however, has helped me grow and learn tremendously. I appreciate all you're doing with Forge to get the alphas and betas together. It certainly takes both to create and nurture successful ventures. That’s an interesting topic, Matt, and one to which I can relate as someone who has assuredly had some alpha tendencies suspended for a while. Masquerading as a beta for the last few years, however, has helped me grow and learn tremendously.

I appreciate all you’re doing with Forge to get the alphas and betas together. It certainly takes both to create and nurture successful ventures.

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