Achieve both commercial success and personal fulfilment

It is possible to make money and be true to oneself, according to Colin Coulson-Thomas of the University of Lincoln. The Professor’s investigations into entrepreneurship and how best to succeed reveal that increasingly people both want to have it all and can have it all. His book ‘Individuals and Enterprise’ shows how people can achieve both commercial success and personal fulfilment.

According to Coulson-Thomas: "Many people create profitable businesses while doing what they enjoy doing and do best. Individuals and organisations can both benefit if they are open about and understand personal aspirations and respond appropriately."

Yet for many the ‘good life’ remains elusive. Coulson-Thomas finds: "From time to time many individuals consider a change of direction. Some seek a more equitable balance between work and life, or want more control over their destiny. Others harbour a desire to become entrepreneurs. They are fed up being a piece on someone else’s chess board and want to play their own game."

Coulson-Thomas explains: "People can experience a range of emotions, from apprehension when facing re-organisation or a change in circumstances, to a mid-life or family crisis. Some are plagued by demons in the night. They lack a driving sense of purpose and come to question what they are doing with their lives."

Guidance is often elusive. The Professor suggests: "People weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different courses of action. They listen to their heads not their hearts. They assess whether the risks and costs involved will outweigh desired benefits. They wonder whether the grass really will be greener on the other side of the fence."

Colin Coulson-Thomas’ book ‘Individuals and Enterprise’ is designed to help budding entrepreneurs assess their entrepreneurial potential and get started. Its advice, self-assessment exercises and checklists can boost self-awareness, build confidence and identify where others might be able to help. It will suit those who long to become entrepreneurs, and those who coach and counsel people who would like to transform their lives and improve their prospects.

The book’s central message is one of hope. Prof. Coulson-Thomas believes: "There should be more to life than waiting to die. We have a historic opportunity to reconcile people and organisations. Employers can become enterprise partners. There are so many options. Entrepreneurship is for all, not just a favoured few. Just about anyone can become an entrepreneur on their own terms if they approach it in the right way."

Coulson-Thomas advises aspiring entrepreneurs to be aware of what is happening around them: "Assess trends, challenges and opportunities. Think about what you could do to make it easier for people to cope and respond. Understand what it takes to succeed. Primroses are small and delicate, but they stand out from the weeds."

The Professor wrote ‘Individuals and Enterprise’ to help people to better understand themselves, create opportunities that are right for them and work with the grain. He believes: "Whether people work with an existing employer or break out, creating a new venture is easier when people do it their way. Measure yourself against your own aspirations rather than compare yourselves with others. Be true to yourself."

Coulson-Thomas is convinced that: "Dreams can be turned into realities. It helps if you are distinctive and committed, and you don’t have to do it alone. Contributors who provide what you lack may enable you to play to your strengths."

’Individuals and Enterprise, creating entrepreneurs for the new millennium through personal transformation’ (ISBN: 1 901657 71 X) by Colin Coulson-Thomas is published by Blackhall Publishing and can be ordered via http://www.ntwkfirm.com/colin.coulson-thomas/books/indiv&ent.htm

A related book ‘Shaping Things to Come, strategies for creating alternative enterprises’ (ISBN: 1 901657 87 6) by Colin Coulson-Thomas and also published by Blackhall Publishing can be ordered via http://www.ntwkfirm.com/colin.coulson-thomas/books/shaping2.htm

Information about other books by Prof. Coulson-Thomas can be found on http://www.ntwkfirm.com/bookshop/ while details of reports presenting critical success factors and winning ways identified by his research programme can be obtained from http://www.winningnewbusiness.biz/

Professor Coulson-Thomas has helped over 100 entrepreneurial teams to build their businesses, is the author of some 40 books and reports and has spoken at over 200 major conferences in 35 countries. He can be contacted by Tel: 00 44 (0) 1733 361 149 or email: colinct@tiscali.co.uk and via http://www.adaptation.ltd.uk