punctuative! by Matt Winn - Latest Comments in Two Types of Entrepreneur: "Alpha" and "Beta"

Re: Two Types of Entrepreneur: "Alpha" and "Beta"

John Williamson — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:27:33 -0000

Very interesting topic. It seems like a natural observation that should be talked about more frequently. At the last Forge Louisville event, Andy Swan made a fantastic point about ideas versus execution, noting that each of us have a dozen ideas, so we must focus on the execution of the best one(s).

I think that Ben has a great point. Alpha entrepreneurs will turn into Beta entrepreneurs because they have to become better at execution in order to stay in the game. Perhaps the trick is to harvest that Alpha spirit inside Beta-stage entrepreneurs. I have known (and been inside of) each camp, noticing that the Alpha entrepreneur doesn't seem to see what they are missing on the execution side of things. Perhaps there is a way to "teach" Alphas about execution without destroying the ingenuity that drives them.

Re: Two Types of Entrepreneur: "Alpha" and "Beta"

Todd — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:17:43 -0000

well at least now i know the name of my affliction. i have been working on developing the beta side without knowing its name but it does not come naturally. i think i realized about a year ago that a business cannot survive on alpha alone. helps with clarity to give things a name. dude - you rock.

Re: Two Types of Entrepreneur: "Alpha" and "Beta"

matt_winn — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:23:54 -0000

Ben - yes, and rarely the other way around (a largely beta developing creative insight to help reinvent or transition a business). Love your "biz journal."

Best,
Matt

Re: Two Types of Entrepreneur: "Alpha" and "Beta"

Ben — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:45:02 -0000

Great stuff.

I think most of us focus on ideas because it's so easy; we can look at some business, and tell its entrepreneur within seconds what she's doing wrong. But, if you work with that entrepreneur on a daily basis, you'll see the complexities associated with her business, and how a two-second idea doesn't really resonate with what she's trying to accomplish with her resources. I think most people start out as alpha entrepreneurs, but once they're in their daily grinds, struggling with the brutal realities of running a business, they transition to beta entrepreneurs (i.e. if they're still in it).

Re: Two Types of Entrepreneur: "Alpha" and "Beta"

matt_winn — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:44:08 -0000

Thanks, Nick!

A further exploration would describe what's clearly a continuum of alpha/beta in any given entrepreneur.

Best,
Matt

Re: Two Types of Entrepreneur: "Alpha" and "Beta"

nickhuhn — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:15:16 -0000

That's an interesting topic, Matt, and one to which I can relate as someone who has assuredly had some alpha tendencies suspended for a while. Masquerading as a beta for the last few years, however, has helped me grow and learn tremendously.

I appreciate all you're doing with Forge to get the alphas and betas together. It certainly takes both to create and nurture successful ventures.