Creating a Culture of Entrepreneurship
June 8th, 2007 by 
Administrator
I am part of a nationwide grassroots movement that is encouraging entrepreneurship, by providing inspiration, mentorship and linkages.
We think our national culture, which basically encourages citizens to go to school, graduate and then get a job is too ‘constricting’. Being entrepreneurial is still not being encouraged or frowned upon, and I remember then the looks of my teachers who look at disdain at some of our classmates attempting to sell candies or other wares while I was still in high school.
Maybe indeed for many a developing country or actually everywhere in the world now, where take home pay will constantly be wanting and not enough, creating a merchant class who is resourceful and business savvy and enabling them to earn on the side, as well as providing micro finance capital might be a good way to grow the per capita income of an economy.
The best way to enable that is to encourage schoolchildren to set up small buy and sells, if only as part of the training, and allow that in the halls outside of classroom hours. If you think how Michael Dell was able to start his PC business in his dormitory, and how many of Silicon Valleys entrepreneurs started off their businesses in Stanford with the active participation and assistance from the school, we may be teaching our young well by encouraging and getting their feet wet in business early — in school.
Might as well put in to the minds of our schoolchildren that peddling wares is not difficult, or shameful, and in fact is a good way to learn the ropes of business.
Will it distract their schooling? maybe. Will it hamper their learning? Most likely not.
As Mark Twain says, " I want to make sure my schooling does not interfere with my education." Making our people business savvy is certainly teaching them a skill they will use their whole life. What do you think?
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Posted in Entrepreneurship, FrontPage | 
June 8th, 2007 at 9:40 am
I think that as the new economy continues to tear down massive organizations people will have to work more independently or individually. There will always be managers but they will be coordinators of highly skilled individuals or small teams. The flexibility that this style enables will be an advantage to those who can create them.
The sooner our children learn that selling is not a sin. I firmly believe we need to teach them to understand that people buy benefits not functions. There is no shame in selling a beneficial product.
June 8th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
I’ve heard that Ateneo de Davao has incorporated entrepreneurship into some of their subjects in grade school (i’m guessing in high school too) through mini-projects where they actually experience selling and others.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Yes,
I think we do need to change our attitudes.
In school, we were ashamed to sell because it might give an impression that we are not from a family with means, and still need to ‘earn’ extra money.
Selling is a sin, and in fact , its practice should be encouraged as a good way to learn.
June 12th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
For a start, our educational system was designed to meet 19th century industrialization. Subjects that are needed to meet the demands of the job market were on the top of the hierarchy. Students are even discourage by parents to study other things because they won’t get a job if they don’t focus on Science, Math, Language.
Universities often adjust their curriculum to meed the demands of the job market and not really to emphasize learning.
It is not only the entrepreneurial spirit that is hampered by our current education system, it is also our creativity, which I believe is essential in innovation.
Now that you’ve mentioned about the grassroots movement, how can I apply for mentorship?
June 15th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Hi Greg,
the grassroots movement I was referring to is the Go Negosyo.
I think they have a lot of activities, and you should attend one sometime.
but you are right - nothing against sciences, or languages, but rather the way it is thought. After all, we do need to master the basics as well.
June 20th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
I really do think that entrepreneurial skills should be included in our school curriculum.
There was a time during my elementary days, I was selling almost anything in school. From stickers to yemas to cross-stitch.
Then, come high school. I entered a science high school and was educated to be a scientist or an engineer. Of course, it followed that I soon took up an engineering course. The entrepreneurial flame I had when I was a kid nearly went up to smokes.
Now, it was rekindled.
I think our educational system should foster a child’s interest on entrepreneurship.
June 25th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
HI Edna
Thanks for your post. Yes, I think whatever specialization or endeavor you take, I always believe it helps a little bit to be more attuned to business principles, and have some entrepreneur basics.
July 30th, 2007 at 4:10 am
Hi BizDrivenLife - I came across your blog while I was doing some research for the 2nd book of my kids fantasy book series. Your commenter Greg speaks about our education system being build on 19th century industrialization. I’d love to see radical changes in our schools. Business leaders need to help educators, parents, and civic leaders rethink our schools literally from the foundation up. What if we do away with traditional classrooms? What if going to school included emersion programs in real companies? Would our kids’ language and math skills suffer? Not if done effectively. Have you heard of any school trying this yet? I hope so, and if so I’d love to hear how they are working out.
August 4th, 2007 at 6:31 am
I think when we communicate better and is more goals and focused oriented, we will grow the business.
when the business is doing well, it can afford people who specialize and understand specific skills.
It should not be the intention of schools to create generalists who know everything and who specialize in nothing.