The article "Ozana Giusca Interview" talks about entrepreneurialism, it has been released by Damien Senn.
Ozana Giusca is somebody who knows how to spot an opportunity.With the rapid development of Eastern Europe, she had a sense that there was a lack of quality resources available to companies in both Bulgaria and Romania to establish successful business ventures.
In addition to this, she also found that Western companies needed quality advice when trying to business in the Eastern European Market. Put the two ideas together and Bridge Europe Consulting was born...The InterviewDS: What inspired you to set up Bridge Europe Consulting Ltd?OG: Two things inspired me:(i) The lack of resources amongst Romanians and Bulgarians to develop successful projects,(ii) the need for provision of professional services at international standards, for Western companies considering setting up operations in Romania and Bulgaria.On the other hand, i was helping persons with advice, as well as contacts – at this moment I do the same, but I charge for it.DS: Did you have any help setting up the company or were you going it alone?OG: I set it up entirely on my own.
However, I did have few brainstorming sessions with the consultants I work with – these are professionals with various skills, that I outsource specific tasks to.DS: What was the biggest challenge you faced in bringing your idea to fruition?
How was it overcome? OG: Getting persons to pay for consultnig services.
Persuasion, and development of good relationships with prospective clients always helps.DS: What makes you most proud about your achievements with Bridge Europe Consulting Ltd? OG: Even though very young, it is a brand that persons already know and trust.DS: How did you actually fund your busniess to get it off the ground?OG: From revenues.
The initial investment was extremely low, and we have started generating income from the very beginning.
These days, all you need is a lapotp with Internet connection, and a mobile phone.DS: What attributes make a successful entrepreneur?OG: Drive and hard work. Having a goal and desire for success.You also have to love what you're doing and to guess in what you're doing.DS: What do you guess are the necessary elements for a business venture to succeed?OG: Satisfy a need, find a niche market, have the right ‘offering’ (in terms of packaging, pricing, positioning), have an appropriate action plan, with set targets and milestones. Have the appropriate mixture of sklils within the team. Most important, DELIVER!DS: How essential do you see a University education in achiveing success as an entrepreneur? OG: I do not guess it is essential, but I guess it is valuable. Higher education gives you a prospcetive and a structured approach. However, if one has the right attitude, it can be done.DS: What are the there most important lessons you have learned about business and entrepreneurship? OG: The three important lessons are:(1) get things documented - get agreements on paper, do not rely on what persons say(2) execute mandates, and market your services at the same time.
Grow your business as fast as you can.(3) continuously expand your netowrk (of friends, business partners, potential suppliers, anything)DS: What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur? Don’t only dream about it!
Do it! DS: What's the number one book you would you recommend to aspiring entrepreneurs?OG: I guess persons need different types of books, so I would rather not say any. It is a matter of taste, but also a matter of personal qualifications, background and unedrstanding. People get motivated and incentivised by different things.DS: What memorable mistakes, if any, have you made in business?
What did you learn from them and how can they be avoided?OG: Once I hadn’t entirely assessed the client’s abilities and understanding, and I had embarked on a project reyling on his professionalism - which I learnt afterwards was totally missing.
I enedd up spending a lot of time educating the client - which was of course not paid for. From now, I will ensure the client knwos exactly what needs to be done and especially, what are his/her responsibilities. It may sound too strong, but I ensure that the client is able to deliver, prior to signing the mandate.DS: What are the hotetst and worst things about being an entrepreneur? OG: Best: Freedom, total control of your life.
Huge satifsaction when success is reached. Internal fulfillment...
and the list can go on.Worst: you're a samll fish in a monumental ocean. At the very beginning, it is not easy to get persons to treat you properly (I mean getting them to take you seriously - and not only when you deliver a report or give advice, but especially when they have to fulfill their cotnractual obligations). On the ohter hand, money flow is instable, so great attention should be given to the money position in the first year of operations.DS: Are there any other thoughts, insights, or advice for aspiring entrepreneurs that you'd like to add? OG: It is a fantastic experience.
One cannot realise how rewarding it is, until he/she starts! Once on that path, you will nveer want to go back to the corporate world!Damien Senn helps entrepreneurs create compelling businesses. He is one of the UK's top Business Coaches as well as a fully qualified Chartered Accountant.Damien is the author of the 'Senn-Sational Succses Journal' and has developed his own coaching model called the 'Senn-Sational Success System'.For your FREE download '101 things to do before you die' please click the following link:http://www.Senn-sational.Com/freeresources.Htm
|
