By John Riddell Jr.
Commentary
If the topic of entrepreneurship or the call to pursue it are of interest to you, then you might want to mark down a couple of upcoming dates and reserve a seat at a couple of upcoming activities.
First off, UTC through its Riverbend Technology Institute is continuing its very popular MIT Enterprise Forum.
This next forum is titled "Entrepreneurship: Success, Failure, Greatness. A Fireside Chat with Ann Winblad and Jason Pontin."
Scheduled as a morning session, this overview will take place on Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Fletcher Hall in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's College of Business.
Ann Winblad, a leading thinker and respected investor with over 25 years of software industry experience as both an entrepreneur and venture capitalist, will share her observations with Technology Review Editor-in-Chief Jason Pontin.
Specifically, the conversation will focus on why some technology start-ups succeed where others fail; her philosophy of funding tech companies; and, what makes for a great entrepreneur.
As seating will be limited, to secure yours please contact Deb Montgomery of the Riverbend Technology Institute at (423) 425-2177.
Following on the heels of this MIT Forum, UTC again through the Riverbend Technology Institute and with the direct support of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and the Hamilton County CEG, will be offering its Entrepreneurship and Technology Certificate Program. Beginning Oct. 1, and running for five weeks, this twice weekly program of classroom instruction is designed to give any entrepreneur a solid foundation in business mechanics.
Presented by the outstanding faculty of UTC's College of Business, topics covered include Entrepreneurship, Business Plan Writing, Industry Analysis and Market Demand, Legal Issues and Entry Strategies, Accounting and Finance Issues, Marketing High Tech Products, Utilizing Managerial "Soft Skills," Financing the Business, and Launching Your Business. Seating for this class is limited as are the availability of scholarships. For more information and to secure your place in class, Deb Montgomery is again the contact person at (423) 425-2177.
One of my favorite sayings is that good luck is when preparation meets opportunity. As you really cannot personally control where or when an opportunity will present itself, you can totally control your decision to invest your time and energy into preparation.
Do yourself a favor and make that call, make that investment in your personal preparation. In a time of unlimited opportunity, make the decision to be one of the lucky ones.
John F. Riddell Jr., director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Growth-Hamilton County, writes each Tuesday about entrepreneurs and their impact on companies and the marketplace. Submit comments to his attention by writing to Business Editor John Vass Jr., Chattanooga Times Free Press, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447, or by e-mailing him at business@timesfreepress.com
