Carl Schramm is an economist and professor at Syracuse
University, and strangely enough, not a fan of in depth business plans. His
background as an entrepreneur has led him the conclusion that business plans
should be minimal at best. The realm of business is constantly shifting and
ever-changing. Schramm believes that the business plan would be obsolete and
out of date the minute it is finished being written. Schramm also believes that
the success of a business is more dependent upon the individual entrepreneur,
more so than the business plan. Schramm outlines the traits that the ideal
entrepreneur should embody, specifically the traits of embracing change and
having well rounded experience. These traits are characteristics I find in
myself, given my diverse background and numerous skills. My background in the
military has afforded me the capability to adapt and embrace change to survive
in an entrepreneurial setting. This same background also has forced me to
observe static systems that have room for optimization. It is good to know that
these observations may serve me well in the development of my own business.
Carlos Slim is one of the richest men in the world, and the
chief executive of Telmex, the largest telecommunications and cell phone company
in Mexico. As such, Carlos Slim is well versed in creating a successful
business. Much like Carl Schramm, Carlos Slim eschews the typical business plan
and instead exposits a number of straightforward rules for the entrepreneur to
follow. I particularly appreciate his devotion to simplicity and clear goals.
Minimizing complicated hierarchy and staying focused on clear goals helps
mitigate expenditure on unimportant assets and allows the entrepreneur to work
hard on tasks that matter. I also appreciate the focus on positivity,
creativity, and not seeking wealth for its own sake. The concept of bettering
the world through business is one that many business would do well to take to
heart.
