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Over the course of my
career as a business owner, one or two people have asked me what it takes,
deep down inside, to be an entrepreneur.
Because I always answered with a blank
stare, I’m sure they decided it didn’t take much. So after much
belated thought, I have come up with the definitive entrepreneur test.
The entrepreneur test
Please answer each question as honestly as
possible. Scores will be tabulated by a grading system which is detailed
at the end of the test. (Note: Those who have already peeked at the
grading system may stop here. Seeking an early advantage is a true test of
entrepreneurial skills. You have passed.)
Question No. 1: You are caught in a horrendous
freeway traffic jam but are in absolutely no hurry to get anywhere. What
do you do?
1. Relax, sit back, put on a Vivaldi tape and be grateful you’re in no
rush.
2. Close your eyes and visualize clear
moving traffic, only to open them and be depressed again.
3. Fiercely grip the steering wheel,
change lanes four times per minute and bounce up and down in your seat.
4. Take the first exit you can find,
weave through side streets at breakneck speeds, get lost three times, then
re-enter the traffic jam one mile back of where you would have been had
you chosen Option No. 1.
Question No. 2:
You are buying your son a bicycle for his birthday. You can save $12 if
purchased unassembled. What do you do?
1. Pay the $12 and live a long, healthy,
happy life.
2. Pay the $12 and curse yourself for
being a spoiled, unmechanical wimp.
3. Do not pay the $12, bring it home,
spend six bloody, frustrating hours putting it together and then watch as
the wheel collapses when your son takes his first ride down the street.
4. Do not pay the $12, bring it home,
and offer the babysitter $6 to do the job after the kids are in bed,
knowing you’ll go to $8 if pressed.
Question No. 3:
Your spouse or a good friend casually mentions a brilliant money-making
idea. What do you do?
1. Ignore them and do nothing.
2. Acknowledge that the idea is terrific
and do nothing.
3. Act on the excellent idea and forever
sing the praises of the brilliant thinkers who came up with the idea in
the first place.
4. Act on the idea, gradually assuming
it was your idea to begin with. When complimented, take all credit.
Question No. 4:
Your grandfather has just died, leaving you his treasured collection of
rare books. You are offered $10,000 for the entire set. What do you do?
1. Steadfastly refuse to sell, citing
the memory of your grandfather.
2. Refuse to sell, but suggest the buyer
check back in a year or two.
3. Sell in a New York minute, hoping
your grandfather would understand if you could ask him about it, which
fortunately you cannot.
4. Hold your head up high and adamantly
refuse to sell the whole collection, realizing you can probably generate
more income by selling each book separately.
Bonus Question:
You’re doing some construction work around your house and are not sure
if you need a permit. What do you do?
1. Ask any comply.
2. Ask and almost comply.
3. Ask and don’t comply.
4. Don’t ask.
That concludes the test. Add the total
numbers from your answers and look below to score your entrepreneurial
aptitude.
Score 0-5:
Here’s a hint – your score kind of gives it away.
Score 6-10:
If someone gave you a guaranteed lifetime salary, you might consider
opening your own business.
Score 11-15:
The inspiration is there, it just needs refining. Definitely some major
potential.
Score 16-20:
Quit your job, sell your house, and follow your dreams. You are an
entrepreneur and can now spend the rest of your life wishing you had
scored 0-5. |
