Growing a business and becoming more entrepreneurial: the five traits of success

Purpose – In today's current economic environment the barriers to growth are even more apparent than normal and there is little appetite for risk taking and minimal room for mistake making. This paper aims to assess how entrepreneurs can successfully recognize and respond to opportunities quickly and effectively.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through a survey of entrepreneurs entitled: “What makes entrepreneurs tick?”.Findings – The paper finds that successful entrepreneurs conduct frequent and thorough risk assessments of ideas and opportunities and take appropriate action accordingly. They minimize the risks within their control, and understand the probability and impact of the risks they cannot control.Practical implications – While running a growing, successful entrepreneurial business looks like a talent you either do or do not have, the reality is there are some core aptitudes which are quite definable and which can be instilled in an organization.Social implications – Entrepreneu...