LooseSuits

In short, yes. However, the mental attitude that it takes to be an entrepreneur cannot be taught. It can only be developed, and that can only be taught if the person is willing to change the way they see things.

Some people are just "natural" entrepreneurs. Their upbringing, coupled by their natural tendencies put them in this positions. Others have to develop this sense. They have to use positive disintegration in order to shed their old nature/nurture, and create a new person within themselves, someone with skin tough enough to be an entrepreneur.

Of course, some people are just not cut out for entrepreneurship no matter what they do. Usually this is because they're not willing to do what it takes to change. Not saying this is bad or anything, but some people are simply better cut out to be employees, and will be better served (and empowered) by submitting to that role.

I'm not sure you are asking the right question or using the right words. I think entrepreneurship can be taught just like bagging groceries can be taught, but the ability to successfully grow a company (which goes beyond entrepreneurship) is something that requires some innate talent and good teachings (usually real-world). I can't think of a good word right to describe it, but some people have it and some people don't. Same goes with being a good salesman, you can argue that it can be taught, but I know some people who are naturals at it and some people who don't stand a chance.

Did you read the entire argument? Conclusion added above for the discussion's benefit. ;)

I can't think of a good word right to describe it, but some people have it and some people don't.

Chzpah?

Yeah I did and still think you are using the wrong words :D

In short, I think it can be taught. But real-world experience is the most effective "education." Some successful entrepreneurs simply see the potential of an existing idea (yes--they copy it) and adapt it to fit within a niche market that hasn't been thought of, yet.

Not to toot California's horn (toot-toot) but to give you an idea of what I've observed personally around here...I've heard California is an especially good place to learn the entrepreneurial spirit. The state itself is the 5th or 6th largest economy in the world, and it's the land of small businesses. Also, Cal and UCLA's MBA programs are the only public business schools that are ranked up there with the private ones. UCLA's Anderson in particular emphasizes entrepreneurship.

Considering Silicon Valley and Southern Cal being a haven of failed and successful business ideas--that is, there is high turnover here, not to mention crowding and overpopulation--I'd say the experience of a failed business is sometimes all the "education" the starter of a successful business needs.

@Gnorb: Yes! Chutzpah! A lot of that is necessary.

I think it can be taught, but I also believe that one needs to have a special personality that most entrepeneurs seem to have, which includes the confidence, dedication, stamina (emotional, mental and physical), the idea and discipline to see it through, and yes, the chutzpah to move forward and overcome obstacles. They seem to be capable of assessing any failure, gaining insight from it, and moving forward with new strength and ideas. They don't allow failure to stop them from reaching their goals, but rather see failure as a stepping stone.

In fact, you can often ask an entrepeneur if they have failed, and they will say that they have been successful, due to the knowledge gained from their business trials and endeavors.

Here's the deal: I can be taught how to be a surgeon, that doesn't mean I will make a good surgeon. They can only teach so much in school. There are definitely other things that are essential for a person to have to be a good surgeon - for example the ability to think quickly under stressful situations. That cannot be taught and that is just one thing that will define a good surgeon.

Same goes with being an entrepreneur. You can have all the textbook knowledge in the world but there are other things that are needed to be an entrepreneur - for example the ability to lead. Leadership qualities can be taught be a good leader either has it or not.

It's the difference between why some businesses are mediocre and some excel to success out of this world.

I say no, entrepreneurship can not be taught.

All the fundamentals can be taught -- business, marketing, ethics, accounting...However to be an entrepreneur is to be more than someone who owns / runs a business. To be entrepreneurial is to be someone who chases down a dream at all costs, faces down the risks and jumps off the cliff, not fully knowing necessarily what is there to greet you at the bottom. The entrepreneurial spirit lives in the core of your soul.

That's something you either got, or you don't. Your analogy to music is dead on.

Well I think we're all pretty much in agreement (except Scrivs, he argues to be different). I agree, most things can be taught but to be an entrepreneur is often to be many things: boss, friend, mentor, number cruncher, expert communicator, etc.

Some of that stuff takes practice...

...and even then, not everyone gets it.