Exam code:9609
The role of entrepreneurs
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An entrepreneur is a person who is willing and able to create a new business idea or invention and takes risks in pursuing success
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Successful entrepreneurs can identify and pursue opportunities, create value for customers and build thriving businesses
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These individuals bring a unique entrepreneurial spirit into the business, which helps drive it forward and expand
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Howard Schultz was hired by Starbucks in 1982 as Director of Retail Operations and Marketing. He later left to start his own coffee company, but returned to Starbucks in 1987 as CEO. Under his leadership, Starbucks expanded globally and became one of the most recognised brands in the world
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Marissa Mayer was brought in to lead Yahoo! in 2012 as CEO. She implemented several initiatives to revitalise the struggling company, including acquisitions, product improvements, and a renewed focus on mobile
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Entrepreneurs fulfil important roles in business
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Organising resources, including finance, facilities, people and equipment
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Making decisions, both at the start and throughout the life of a business
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Taking risks to maximise returns and maintain a competitive advantage
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What do entrepreneurs do?
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They organise resources |
They make business decisions |
They take risks |
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The role of intrapreneurs
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An intrapreneur is an individual tasked with creating or improving innovative products or processes within an already-established business
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Intrapreneurship involves empowering employees to think and act like entrepreneurs
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The business encourages them to take risks, innovate, and develop new ideas and projects that may benefit the business
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Businesses can tap into the creative potential of their employees and generate new products/services or processes that can drive growth and competitive advantage
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This helps to create a culture that generates a sense of ownership and engagement among employees, which increases motivation and helps to retain top talent
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To promote intrapreneurship, businesses may provide resources to employees or offer incentives/rewards for successful projects
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Examples of intrapreneurship in business
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Example |
Explanation |
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Sony playstation |
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3M |
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Intrapreneurs fulfil important roles in business that compliment those of the entrepreneur:
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Innovation, including using resources in the most effective way, developing new ideas and processes and identifying new techniques
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Organising operations by making day-to-day decisions that drive a business forward
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Persuade business owners to take calculated risks and follow new paths
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What do intrapreneurs do?
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They innovate |
They organise operations |
They persuade |
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Qualities of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs
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Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs require a unique set of characteristics and skills

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Successful entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs tend to be very persuasive in their communication and decisive in their decision-making
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Convincing lenders, investors and customers to support their business is central to achieving financial success
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Developing new solutions to solve existing or emerging problems is a key intrapreneurial role that helps a business stand out from rivals and achieve success
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During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses used their creativity to switch production techniques to cater for what the market wanted
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E.g Harrogate Gin switched from producing gin to hand sanitiser
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Starting a business is often the sole responsibility of a single entrepreneur, who will need to be able to solve problems with limited support
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E.g. The owner of Gymshark, Ben Francis, started off the company by buying a sewing machine and making gym clothes in his parents garage with a few school friends
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This led to the growth of a multi million pound company employing hundreds of people
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Barriers to entrepreneurship
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Making the decision to set up and run a business is rarely easy
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Entrepreneurs face a series of barriers that they must overcome if they are to make a success of an enterprise
Barriers to entrepreneurship
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Barrier |
Explanation |
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Lack of finance |
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Lack of customers |
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Finding a suitable location |
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Lack of opportunities |
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Existing competition |
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Examiner Tips and Tricks
A good way to explain the difference between entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs is to consider them in the context of risks and rewards.
Entrepreneurs risk their own money, reputation, time, and resources but get to keep financial rewards for themselves, should they wish. Intrapreneurs take risks on behalf of a business, and the business for which they work receives the rewards.
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