Is “Entrepreneur” just a prettier name for “sales person”?
I know many entrepreneurs and they sell very well. I don’t know entrepreneurs who cannot sell. Is the noun “entrepreneur” created just to make it sound better than a “sales person”?
Thanks for quick replies.
Some mentioned entrepreneurs take their own risks. I think sales take risks too — their compensation is usually solely based on how well they sell. They are risking their time and reputation.
Another reason why I’m asking is that when financial institutions look for people to sell their products, they always advertise as:
Be your own boss, manage your own business, take control of your future, become an entrepreneur!
July 30th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
well, sort of. but usually entrepreneurs come up with their own ideas. it just may take a lot of ideas to finally hit the big one.
July 30th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Nah…I think it’s a nicer way to say “I started my own business because management is full of morons.”
August 2nd, 2009 at 11:17 pm
I believe the definition is something like “someone who takes personal risk for a business venture”
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 am
not at all………..
sales people are leeches and liars…
entrepreneurs are people with dreams………. who can also sell
August 5th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
No — an entrepreneur has invested in his business.
August 5th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Not all entrepreneurs sell things. They also start up factories, invent things, etc.
August 6th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
It means someone who makes their own money buy creating opportunities to do so
August 10th, 2009 at 1:16 am
Not necessarily. Entrepreneur means a businessman who is a thinker and comes up with fantastic ideas to make it big. However, in almost all situations these ideas involve the sale of items that were either created by the entrepreneur or given a new twist to it.
August 12th, 2009 at 10:19 am
yes. It is a formal name for sales person.
The Origin & Meaning of the Word Entrepreneur:
“The word entrepreneur comes from the 13th century French verb
entreprendre, meaning “to do something” or “to undertake.” By the 16th
century, the noun entrepreneur, had emerged to refer to someone who
undertakes a business venture. The first academic usage of the term
was by economist Richard Cantillon in 1730. For Cantillion, the
bearing of risk – engaging in business without an assurance of the
profits that will be derived – is the distinguishing feature of an
entrepreneur.
The term entrepreneur was further popularized by economist Jean
Baptiste Say, who in the early 1800s, used the term to refer to
individuals who create value in an economy by moving resources out of
areas of low productivity and into areas of higher productivity and
greater yield. In 1848, economist John Stuart Mill used the term in
his very popular book, Principles of Political Economy. To Mill, the
distinguishing feature of an entrepreneur was that they assume both
the risk and the management of a business.”
August 14th, 2009 at 3:45 am
Nothing to do with a sales person…
Same root than enterprise, the one who starts a business if you wish… The idea of someone starting something on his own…
Really noble actually…
They need to be able to sell your ideas, but not anywhere close to a mere sales person…
August 17th, 2009 at 11:58 am
no, it’s a name for an individual who creates ideas in which to profit or “make money”
a business man who generates his own business
August 18th, 2009 at 2:14 am
You should look that work up. An entrepreneur is a person that is in business for themselves risking it all. They don’t necessarilly have to be selling something, they could be providing a service like a hair salon or and inventor.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:49 am
An entrepreneur is not a sales person. Yes, one of his jobs could be sales, but he is really a person who creates, manages and takes the risks of owning his own business.
August 22nd, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Technically, no. But it means someone with their own business, so in a way you’re right. It all matters what angle you look at it, as with everything in life.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:35 am
It’s a euphemism for “a person who can’t get a job so (s)he takes a dopey pyramid sales job.” Which means the person dammed well better be good or get good at sales, because otherwise (s)he will starve. And may starve anyway, because the company may fold and disappear tomorrow.
August 26th, 2009 at 3:35 am
No, there are entrpreneur’s who don’t specificly sell.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:31 am
The answer is no. It is a French word which implies that the person is self employed.
August 29th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
No.Indeed it encompasses much more because you are in business for yourself with an investment into the business you create and run or organize…Entrepreneur often includes an invention or idea that is original and hopefully successful. Now if you are a successful entrepreneur you may want to hire sales people…..
September 1st, 2009 at 9:34 am
They are very different.
Merriam-Webster.com
ne who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise
The reason business seek a person with an entrepreneurial spirit is because this person will think out side the box in making sales and growing their business. These people will likely be in a commissioned sales role rather than one with straight salary.
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:15 pm
An entrepreneur is a risk-taker and founder of a venture. They don’t have to sell, but it helps. They may just hire sales people, which is nice.