Employees’ Initiative/ Enterprising Role

in the Present Work Environment

By Debashish Brahma.Management Consultant

Speaker, Blogger On Management

Workshop Norms

Attempt to answer Switch-off your mobile or turn

it to silent Share examples Be on time Ask questions

Web

The Graveyard Shift?!

An ExerciseSelf Report

Enterprise…involves measures to encourage individuals to become entrepreneurs and equip them with the necessary skills to make a business successful (Mason, 2000)

In essence, enterprise is about spotting opportunities, creating new ideas and having the confidence and capabilities to turn these ideas into working realities (Nixon, 2004)

Enterprising

Q. What does it mean to be Enterprising?

A mindset - An attitude to problem solvingIt’s about making a difference 

Some of the key characteristics of an enterprising person:

Innovative , Creative, Risk Taking, ‘Can-Do attitudeTaking or willing to take risksDisposed to actionResourceful, Energetic"An enterprising person is one who sees opportunity in all areas of life.".......Marked by imagination, initiative, ambition and energyDemonstrating Initiative and readiness to undertake new projects

Entrepreneurship…is an activity which leads to the creation and management of a new organisation designed to pursue a unique, innovative opportunity(Hindle & Rushworth, 2000)

Fundamentally, it is about using enterprise to create new business, new businesses and ‘can-do’ organisations and services(Nixon, 2004)

Intrapreneurship

…is the art of working within an organisation to effect change, by developing new ideas, procedures or products, by innovating practice and thereby enhancing the business(Kneale, 2002)

it is someone who is characterised by a particular mix of individuality, creativity, and leadership. 

Enterprise skills are effectively a combination of other competencies,

including: Commercial awareness Creativity Communication skills

To be enterprising is to keep your eyes open and your mind active

Enterprise is two things.

The first is creativity The second is the courage to be

creative.

Enterprising people always see the future in the present.  Enterprising people aren't lazy.

Being enterprising also means feeling good enough about yourself, having enough self worth to want to seek advantages and opportunities that

will make a difference in your future.

ENTERPRISING SKILLS

Skills Attributes Behaviours

intuitive decision making with limited information 

sense of belief in self seeks and takes opportunities 

coping with uncertainty and complexity

strong sense of independence    

takes initiative

building know-how and trust relationships 

goal/achievement orientated 

builds and develops networks 

creative approach to problem solving 

builds own know-how and trust relationships

assesses and takes risks 

negotiation capacity commitment to see things through

holistic management of situations                 

selling/persuasive capacity 

sense of  ownership over problems/actions 

thinks strategically 

Intrapreneurship

Imbibing a spirit of entrepreneurship within an existing organization as an employee is called intrapreneurship

Intrapreneurial Culture • Develop and emphasize on organizational vision,

goals and action plans. • Rewards for suggestions, experimentation, and

fruitful actions. • Freedom to venture beyond a specific function /

area. • Encouraging responsibility and ownership

Environment Conducive To Intrapreneurship

Encouragement of experimentation Encouragement of new ideas Acceptance of failure Providing ample opportunities Interdisciplinary approach Long term planning Encouragement of voluntary activities

Characteristics Of Intrapreneurs

Independent Direct involvement and less of

delegation Ability to coordinate with team Respect for hierarchy May not openly encourage risky

projects

Entrepreneurial PersonalityPsychological Characteristics

• Highly confident • Risk Taker • Motivated reasoning • Thirsting for the right answer • Thinking logically • Being practical

Psychological Characteristics

• Inconsistency in Planning • Blend with the environment • Cognitive dissonance - Ability to comprehend chaos • Lateral thinking - Thinking may not be supported rationally

Enterprising Skills Problem Solving Analysing Information Reasoning Creativity

Communication Self Development

Planning Leadership Resourcefulness Teamwork

Responsibility Initiative Resilience

Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal communication deals with relationships between people, usually in face-to-face private settings.

Interpersonal communication is the primary way relationships are created, maintained, and changed.

Can Take Any Form

Communication Dimensions

Formality Reciprocity Commitment Accessibility Spontaneity

How do you go about Establishing Rapport?

You need Self-Confidence You must Understand People You must be Enthusiastic You must make Eye Contact You must be Interested in them

What are the most common ways we communicate?

Spoken Word

Written Word

Visual Images

Body Language

Hearing

Seeing

Smell

TouchTaste

Communication is a Series of Experiences of

Activity

CW

The Communication Process

SENDER(encodes)

RECEIVER(decodes)

Barrier

Barrier

Medium

Feedback/Response

TOTAL COMMUNICATION PROCESS

Reading16%

Writing9% Speaking

30%

Listening45%

5 Basic reasons we Do Not Listen Listening is Hard Work Competition The Rush for Action Speed differences (120 wpm v/s 360

wpm) Lack of Training

Components of Verbal Communication

Verbal

Tone Language

Verbal Communication Verbal messages are the expression of thoughts

in spoken words.

The verbal portion of your message is language which comprises the words, phrases, and sentences that you use.

You can use verbal communication in many forms such as an oration, a lecture, a presentation, or even in simple conversation.

Verbal CommunicationWhen speaking, accurate use of language and fluency alone are not enough. It is equally important to know

– what to say – to whom – and when

Non-Verbal Communication Non – Verbal communication constantly takes

place amongst individuals.

Even during a verbal conversation, non-verbal communication takes place, through gestures, eye contact, facial expressions, clothing and personal space.

Components of Non-Verbal Communication

Non-Verbal

Smiling

Eye Conta

ctGestu

resBody Language

Listening

Importance of Non-Verbal Communication

Non verbal messages are more reliable. Remember “actions speak louder than words.”

To understand people’s attitudes and receptivity to ideas better - listen to Non Verbal Clues

Non verbal communication assumes greater significance when there is a conscious effort on the part of the person / buyer to curtail feedback / flow of desirable information

Verbal Communication

Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

Non-Verbal Communication

Hearing Vs ListeningHearing – Physical process,

natural, passive

Listening – Physical as wellas mental process, active,learned process, a skill

Listening is hard.You must choose to participate in the process of

listening.

Always think ahead about what you are going to say.Use simple words and phrases that are understood by

every body.Increase your knowledge on all subjects you are

required to speak.Speak clearly and audibly.Check twice with the listener whether you have been

understood accurately or not

ESSENTIALS OF COMMUNICATIONDos

ESSENTIALS OF COMMUNICATION

Dos In case of an interruption, always do a little recap

of what has been already said.

Always pay undivided attention to the speaker while listening.

While listening, always make notes of important points.

Always ask for clarification if you have failed to grasp other’s point of view.

Repeat what the speaker has said to check whether you have understood accurately.

ESSENTIALS OF COMMUNICATIONDON’Ts

Do not instantly react and mutter something in anger.

Do not use technical terms & terminologies not understood by majority of people.

Do not speak too fast or too slow.Do not speak in inaudible surroundings, as you

won’t be heard.

ESSENTIALS OF COMMUNICATION

DON’Ts

Do not assume that every body understands you.

While listening do not glance here and there as it might distract the speaker.

Do not interrupt the speaker. Do not jump to the conclusion that you have

understood every thing.

How to Improve Existing Level ofCOMMUNICATION?

Improve pronunciation. Work on voice modulation. Work on body language. Read more Listen more Improve language. Avoid reading or watching or listening

unwanted literature, gossip, media presentation etc

How to Improve Existing Level ofCOMMUNICATION

Interact with qualitative people. Improve on you topic of discussion, Practice meditation & good thoughts. Think and speak. Do not speak too fast. Use simple vocabulary. Do not speak only to impress someone. Look presentable and confident.

…in the new global and diverse workplace requires

excellent communication skills!

Success for YOU…