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Question by freakonomics: Is “Entrepreneur” just a prettier name for “sales individual”?
I know a lot of entrepreneurs and they sell extremely well. I don’t know entrepreneurs who can’t sell. Is the noun “entrepreneur” designed just to make it sound much better than a “sales individual”?
Thanks for quick replies.
Some mentioned entrepreneurs take their own risks. I assume sales take risks too — their compensation is normally solely based on how nicely they sell. They are risking their time and reputation.
An additional reason why I’m asking is that when economic institutions appear for folks to sell their goods, they usually advertise as:
Be your own boss, manage your own company, take manage of your future, turn out to be an entrepreneur!
So, it seems entrepreneur = sales.
Greatest answer:
Answer by Cathrine K
nicely, sort of. but generally entrepreneurs come up with their own concepts. it just may possibly take a lot of suggestions to finally hit the large one.
Give your answer to this question below!
Comments are closed.
practical thinking Nov 19 2011 - 9:12 am
Nah…I think it’s a nicer way to say “I started my own business because management is full of morons.”
Tom Nov 19 2011 - 9:40 am
I believe the definition is something like “someone who takes personal risk for a business venture”
BOB Nov 19 2011 - 10:23 am
not at all………..
sales people are leeches and liars…
entrepreneurs are people with dreams………. who can also sell
davencusa Nov 19 2011 - 10:33 am
No — an entrepreneur has invested in his business.
C B Nov 19 2011 - 10:44 am
Not all entrepreneurs sell things. They also start up factories, invent things, etc.
Andrew C Nov 19 2011 - 11:22 am
It means someone who makes their own money buy creating opportunities to do so
milbrew45 Nov 19 2011 - 12:13 pm
Not necessarily. Entrepreneur means a businessman who is a thinker and comes up with fantastic ideas to make it big. However, in almost all situations these ideas involve the sale of items that were either created by the entrepreneur or given a new twist to it.
Angelcape Nov 19 2011 - 12:41 pm
yes. It is a formal name for sales person.
The Origin & Meaning of the Word Entrepreneur:
“The word entrepreneur comes from the 13th century French verb
entreprendre, meaning “to do something” or “to undertake.” By the 16th
century, the noun entrepreneur, had emerged to refer to someone who
undertakes a business venture. The first academic usage of the term
was by economist Richard Cantillon in 1730. For Cantillion, the
bearing of risk – engaging in business without an assurance of the
profits that will be derived – is the distinguishing feature of an
entrepreneur.
The term entrepreneur was further popularized by economist Jean
Baptiste Say, who in the early 1800s, used the term to refer to
individuals who create value in an economy by moving resources out of
areas of low productivity and into areas of higher productivity and
greater yield. In 1848, economist John Stuart Mill used the term in
his very popular book, Principles of Political Economy. To Mill, the
distinguishing feature of an entrepreneur was that they assume both
the risk and the management of a business.”
Simian Nov 19 2011 - 1:41 pm
Nothing to do with a sales person…
Same root than enterprise, the one who starts a business if you wish… The idea of someone starting something on his own…
Really noble actually…
They need to be able to sell your ideas, but not anywhere close to a mere sales person…
Dr. Gonzo Nov 19 2011 - 1:58 pm
no, it’s a name for an individual who creates ideas in which to profit or “make money”
a business man who generates his own business
noee54 Nov 19 2011 - 2:21 pm
You should look that work up. An entrepreneur is a person that is in business for themselves risking it all. They don’t necessarilly have to be selling something, they could be providing a service like a hair salon or and inventor.
lordmisrule2004 Nov 19 2011 - 2:25 pm
An entrepreneur is not a sales person. Yes, one of his jobs could be sales, but he is really a person who creates, manages and takes the risks of owning his own business.
football_grrl2 Nov 19 2011 - 2:29 pm
Technically, no. But it means someone with their own business, so in a way you’re right. It all matters what angle you look at it, as with everything in life.
Angelique Nov 19 2011 - 3:21 pm
It’s a euphemism for “a person who can’t get a job so (s)he takes a dopey pyramid sales job.” Which means the person dammed well better be good or get good at sales, because otherwise (s)he will starve. And may starve anyway, because the company may fold and disappear tomorrow.
Sam J Nov 19 2011 - 3:59 pm
No, there are entrpreneur’s who don’t specificly sell.
bronzediva Nov 19 2011 - 4:34 pm
The answer is no. It is a French word which implies that the person is self employed.
deanna b Nov 19 2011 - 5:20 pm
No.Indeed it encompasses much more because you are in business for yourself with an investment into the business you create and run or organize…Entrepreneur often includes an invention or idea that is original and hopefully successful. Now if you are a successful entrepreneur you may want to hire sales people…..
bushmaster19772002 Nov 19 2011 - 5:55 pm
They are very different.
Merriam-Webster.com
ne who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise
The reason business seek a person with an entrepreneurial spirit is because this person will think out side the box in making sales and growing their business. These people will likely be in a commissioned sales role rather than one with straight salary.
Matthew Nov 19 2011 - 6:22 pm
An entrepreneur is a risk-taker and founder of a venture. They don’t have to sell, but it helps. They may just hire sales people, which is nice.