Thinking & Acting like an Entrepreneur from edX

All of today’s well-known companies got started the exact same way: as an idea within someone’s head. While the idea itself is an important prerequisite for success, it was rather what these individuals did with it that enabled them to become the success that they are today. You can learn to think and act like these innovators too. This course helps you to turn your idea into a real-life business and make it a commercial success:

Find and assess your idea

What does it actually mean to be entrepreneur?
Are entrepreneurs born or made?
How to actually find an idea to start a business?

Turn your idea into action

How to deal with uncertainty?
What are the core questions that I have to answer to make my idea successful?
How to assemble the right team of people to help me get my idea off the ground?

Set yourself up to succeed

How to know what my customers really expect?
Do I have to stick to my original idea no matter what?
What are typical traps into which entrepreneurs fall at the start of their career?

We will walk you through real-life examples of the entrepreneurial process to help you understand how it differs from that of established companies and how you can apply it for your own purposes. A series of homework exercises, tutorials and case studies will enable you to develop a perspective that goes beyond the theoretical scope to prepare you for actual situations.

By doing so, this course will not only give you specific tools to start you own venture but also to transfer the benefits of entrepreneurial thinking to a corporate context, thereby preparing you for leading positions in Business Development , Strategy and General Management and of course as an Entrepreneur. Learners from the industries of Business Development and Entrepreneurs from all over the world already completed the course.

This course is part of the "Managing Technology & Innovation: How to deal with disruptive change" MicroMasters program designed to teach the critical skills needed to be successful in this exciting field. In order to qualify for the MicroMasters Credential, you will need to earn a Verified Certificate in each of the six courses of the RWTHx MicroMasters program.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How entrepreneurs discover their business ideas and determine their commercial potential
How to distinguish entrepreneurial and managerial thought patterns

The specific skill set required to launch a new venture

How entrepreneurs discover their business ideas and determine their commercial potential
How to distinguish entrepreneurial and managerial thought patterns
The specific skill set required to launch a new venture

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the entrepreneurial process, which is relevant to the business world and personal growth

Taught by Malte Brettel, who has experience and recognition in entrepreneurship and innovation

Develops the specific skill set needed for starting and running a new business

Provides hands-on exercises, tutorials, and case studies for practical learning

Requires students to come in with some basic understanding of business concepts

Reviews summary

Inspirational lectures and case studies

Learners say that this course is highly insightful owing to its inspiring lectures and real-world case studies. Students appreciate that the course not only covers the theoretical side of entrepreneurship but also delves deep into the practicalities of business.

Delves deep into practicalities of business.

"The very structure of the course could easily evoke entrepreneurial spirits among the learners, and pave way for an organized approach for ideation, commercialization and monetising a business opportunity."

Lectures and case studies are highly insightful.

"Very insightful course."

"Not only did the course covered theoretical aspects of an entrepreneurial mindset, it also delved deep into how the practicalities work in the real world."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Thinking & Acting like an Entrepreneur with these activities:

Review entrepreneurial terminology

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Familiarizing yourself with the vocabulary of entrepreneurship will help you better understand the concepts and framework of the course.

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Compile a list of key terms.
Define each term.
Create a glossary of terms for future reference.

Volunteer at a business incubator

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Volunteering at a business incubator will give you exposure to a variety of entrepreneurs and startups.

Browse courses on Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

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Identify a business incubator in your area.
Contact the incubator and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend volunteer events and meet with entrepreneurs.

SWOT analysis practice

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Developing your skills in SWOT analysis will help you critically evaluate business ideas and make informed decisions.

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Identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of a real-world business.
Analyze the SWOT factors and draw conclusions about the business's strategy.
Repeat the process for several different businesses.

Four other activities

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Develop a business model canvas

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Creating a business model canvas will help you visualize and plan your business idea.

Browse courses on Business Model Canvas

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Brainstorm the key elements of your business model.
Fill out the business model canvas template.
Review and refine your business model.

Pitch your business idea to a peer

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Practicing pitching your business idea will help you refine your pitch and build confidence.

Browse courses on Pitching

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Develop a brief pitch for your business idea.
Present your pitch to a peer.
Get feedback from your peer and make improvements.

Contribute to an open-source business project

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Contributing to an open-source business project will help you learn about the latest entrepreneurial tools and technologies.

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Identify an open-source business project that interests you.
Contact the project maintainers and inquire about how you can contribute.
Make a contribution to the project.

Start a small business

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Starting a small business will give you hands-on experience in all aspects of entrepreneurship.

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Identify a business opportunity.
Develop a business plan.
Secure funding.
Launch your business.
Manage and grow your business.

Career center

Learners who complete Thinking & Acting like an Entrepreneur will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Founder

A Founder is someone who starts their own business. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to identify and assess business opportunities, develop and execute business plans, and manage teams. The course also provides you with a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset, which is essential for success as a Founder.

See salaries and explore the career path for Founder

Innovation Consultant

An Innovation Consultant helps companies to develop and implement new products and services. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to identify and assess new opportunities, develop and execute innovation strategies, and manage teams. The course also provides you with a deep understanding of the innovation process, which is essential for success as an Innovation Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Consultant

Venture Capitalist

A Venture Capitalist invests in early-stage companies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a deep understanding of the venture capital industry. The course also covers the latest research on venture capital, which can help you stay ahead of the curve in your career.

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Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the development and management of a product. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to identify and assess product opportunities, develop and execute product roadmaps, and manage teams. The course also provides you with a deep understanding of the product development process, which is essential for success as a Product Manager.

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Strategy Consultant

A Strategy Consultant helps companies to develop and implement strategies to improve their performance. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a deep understanding of business strategy. The course also covers the latest research on strategy, which can help you stay ahead of the curve in your career.

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CEO

A CEO is responsible for the overall operations of a company. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a deep understanding of business management. The course also covers the latest research on management, which can help you stay ahead of the curve in your career.

See salaries and explore the career path for CEO

Entrepreneurship Professor

An Entrepreneurship Professor teaches courses on entrepreneurship and small business management. This course can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial process. The course also covers the latest research on entrepreneurship, which can help you stay ahead of the curve in your teaching.

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Director of Business Development

A Director of Business Development is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to grow a company's business. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to identify and assess business opportunities, develop and execute business plans, and manage teams. The course also provides you with a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset, which is essential for success in business development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Director of Business Development

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to identify and assess market opportunities, develop and execute marketing plans, and manage teams. The course also provides you with a deep understanding of the marketing process, which is essential for success as a Marketing Manager.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to identify and assess project opportunities, develop and execute project plans, and manage teams. The course also provides you with a deep understanding of the project management process, which is essential for success as a Project Manager.

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Sales Manager

A Sales Manager is responsible for developing and implementing sales strategies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to identify and assess sales opportunities, develop and execute sales plans, and manage teams. The course also provides you with a deep understanding of the sales process, which is essential for success as a Sales Manager.

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General Manager

A General Manager is responsible for the overall operations of a company. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a deep understanding of business management. The course also covers the latest research on management, which can help you stay ahead of the curve in your career.

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Technical Lead

A Technical Lead is responsible for leading a team of engineers in the development of a product or service. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a deep understanding of software development. The course also covers the latest research on software engineering, which can help you stay ahead of the curve in your career.

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Management Consultant

A Management Consultant helps companies to improve their performance. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a deep understanding of business management. The course also covers the latest research on management, which can help you stay ahead of the curve in your career.

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Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests software systems. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by providing you with a deep understanding of software development. The course also covers the latest research on software engineering, which can help you stay ahead of the curve in your career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer