Not many people have the courage or inclination to swim against the tide. Our need for the approval of others is too great to allow us to act differently from everyone else or start something new. So it takes a rare combination of skills to dream dreams about what could be, and then to bring those dreams to fruition.
Guy Kawasaki is an expert in innovation, and his book The Art of the Start is a “time-tested, battle-hardened guide for anyone starting anything”. According to Guy, the five most important things an entrepreneur must accomplish are: 1. Make Meaning (create a product or service which makes the world a better place); 2. Make Mantra (make a mantra out of your meaning); 3. Get Going (start creating and delivering your product or service as soon as possible); 4. Define your Business Model (work out how to make the innovation sustainable); and 5. Weave a Mat (compile lists of milestones, assumptions and tasks, to keep you on track).
We live in an age where every follower of Jesus is called to be an entrepreneur, a missionary, finding ways to relate and communicate the good news to people who have no understanding of its relevance or importance. While we’re not necessarily starting up businesses for profit, we are constantly encountering new challenges and experiences, and Guy’s book provides a number of handy hints.