Most Important Skills for an Entrepreneur at Simran Nath LLC
To be a successful founder/entrepreneur, discipline and a long-term mindset are crucial because "this is not instant gratification"; Simran emphasizes the importance of networking skills, learning how to do business in various cultural contexts ("code switching"), and leading with empathy. By embodying values like integrity and being results-oriented, and understanding people and communication, one can go very far in business, as "people underestimate how being well-spoken, well dressed, and kind will take you so much further than you realize."
Entrepreneurship, Networking, Communication Skills, Cultural Awareness, Empathy
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Simran Nath
Founder/President
Simran Nath LLC
California State University, Long Beach
Communications
Technology
Consulting
Immigrant
Video Highlights
1. Entrepreneurship requires discipline and a long-term mindset, as it's not a path for instant gratification.
2. Networking skills are crucial for entrepreneurs to access opportunities and navigate different business cultures.
3. Empathy, integrity, discipline, and being results-oriented are key values for success in business, with empathy being particularly important for understanding and connecting with people.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
This is a good question. I think there are a lot of skills required to be a founder or an entrepreneur. I consider myself an entrepreneur.
If we're talking about what skills are needed to be an entrepreneur, discipline is one. You literally have to put yourself in the mindset that you're in it for the long haul. This is not instant gratification; it's not easy.
There's a saying that not everybody can be an entrepreneur, even though everyone can have entrepreneurial skills. It's very true. For me, being an entrepreneur means I have the ability to talk to anybody.
My networking skills have really gotten me into rooms I wouldn't have otherwise thought of. That was one of the first lessons I learned as a comm major. Our professor said, "Your network is going to serve you so much better than you realize."
It is so true. It's been six years since I graduated, and I cannot agree more. Networking is part of being an entrepreneur. Learning how to do business is also part of that.
Knowing how to do business in Europe is very different than in parts of Asia or the Middle East. These are all different ways people do business. Understanding that there's cultural context and business acumen is important. Learning how to code-switch between these is also a vital skill.
My personal take is that there are four pillars I lead with: empathy, discipline, integrity, and being results-oriented. These are my four values. I really believe empathy is the biggest.
If you have empathy, you will do so well in business simply because some people don't. It's very obvious, and some people just don't understand basic people skills and communication. If you can understand people and how to talk to them, it will take you very far.
People underestimate how being well-spoken, well-dressed, and kind will take you much further than you realize.
Advizer Personal Links