Learn Under Fire

Scott D. Gerber is Entrepreneur.com's Young Entrepreneur columnist and he wrote a column recently with 10 pieces of advice he wished someone had given him before he launched his first venture. His tip to ‘Learn under fire’ really resonated with me and the notion of #Unplan. There’s been such emphasis on the importance of business schools, management courses and long-term planning that aspiring entrepreneurs end up with their heads in spreadsheets and presentations and nowhere near the trenches. I worked on many new ventures throughout my career and the culture in most organisations was about producing a bunch of revenue projections rather than testing an idea in the market first. Here’s Scott’s take on it:


“No business book or business plan can predict the future or fully prepare you to become a successful entrepreneur. There is no such thing as the perfect plan. There is no perfect road or one less traveled. Never jump right into a new business without any thought or planning, but don’t spend months or years waiting to execute. You will become a well-rounded entrepreneur when tested under fire. The most important thing you can do is learn from your mistakes--and never make the same mistake twice.” *

Scott D.Gerber, CEO of Gerber Entertainment, a brand development and venture management company.

* This extract is copyright Entrepreneur.com