Learn How to Achieve Both Commercial Success and Personal Fulfilment

“It is increasingly possible to make money and be true to oneself”, argues Colin Coulson-Thomas of the University of Lincoln. The Professor’s investigations into opportunities for 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.

(PRWEB) October 15, 2006 -- “It is increasingly possible to make money and be true to oneself”, argues Colin Coulson-Thomas of the University of Lincoln. The Professor’s continuing investigation into opportunities for entrepreneurship and how best to succeed reveals that increasingly people both want to have it all and can have it all. His book ‘Individuals and Enterprise’* shows how.

Speaking this week at the 4th international engaged research conference being held at the University of Lincoln Prof. Coulson-Thomas will explain how the principles of his book for aspiring entrepreneurs ‘Individuals and Enterprise’ can enable people to achieve both commercial success and personal fulfilment.

According to Coulson-Thomas: “Many people are creating 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 their future or 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 on starting a new job or 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.”

Appropriate guidance can be difficult to find. 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 to determine whether entrepreneurship is for them and get them started. Containing a wealth of advice, self-assessment exercises and checklists it can boost self-awareness, build confidence and identify where others might be able to help. It will particularly suit those with a longing to move in a new entrepreneurial direction or become more successful, and those who coach and counsel people who would like to transform their lives and improve their prospects.

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

Coulson-Thomas warns of the siren voices of advisers who peddle standard solutions: “Follow a trail of muck and you may find a dung heap at the end of it. Alluring schemes are not always what they seem. The best pickings on the beach are often covered by the stickiest tar. People need to think for themselves.”

Prof. Coulson-Thomas advises aspiring entrepreneurs to be aware of what is happening around them: “Assess how challenges and opportunities will affect you and others. Think about what you could do to make it easier for people to cope and respond. Understand what it takes to succeed. Primroses are sometimes 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: “It is better to be warmed by the sun than burned by it. 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 and remain 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. Assemble a complementary team. Other people may provide skills and resources you need if you are prepared to give them a share of the action. Trust your own instincts, and if you are determined to go all the way assemble an effective board of competent directors.”

*’Individuals and Enterprise, creating entrepreneurs for the new millennium through personal transformation’ (ISBN: 1 901657 71 X) and ‘Shaping Things to Come, strategies for creating alternative enterprises’ (ISBN: 1 901657 87 6) by Colin Coulson-Thomas can be ordered from Blackhall Publishing (Tel: 00 353 1 2785090; Fax: 00 353 1 2784446; www.blackhallpublishing.com/management/individuals)

Colin Coulson-Thomas, author of ‘Individuals and Enterprise’, is an experienced founder chairman of award-winning companies and Professor of Direction and Leadership at the University of Lincoln. He has helped over 100 entrepreneurial teams to build their businesses; authored over 40 books and reports including ‘The Knowledge Entrepreneur’ (Kogan Page) and ‘Winning Companies; Winning People’ (Kingsham Press); and spoken at over 200 major conferences in approaching 30 countries. He can be contacted by Tel: 00 44 (0) 1733 361 149; Fax: 00 44 (0) 1733 361 459; and via www.coulson-thomas.com.

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