Is it possible to create an entrepreneurial mindset within a large global organisation?  Some think not.  Speaking to a local entrepreneur recently, he laughed at the prospect.  His view was that process and procedure will always scupper any attempt to truly demonstrate an ability to act and think in an entrepreneurial way.

Having recently been asked by a new multi-national company to help develop such a mindset within their organisation, I was quite excited at the prospect.  I think it's possible, although it's not an easy journey.  Firstly, you have to be clear about what you mean by 'entrepreneurial mindset'.  What separates entrepreneurs from employees or business owners?  It's the ability to seize opportunities, to find ways round things, to take risks, to make things happen when there's no budget and little or no support.  It's the ability to be bold and TAKE ACTION against all odds.

So is this possible in a large organisation?  Many would say no.  I'm not so sure.  I think if those at the top of the tree are pushing this, they have to recognise what the impact will be within their cultural norms.  They clearly don't want everyone to have this mindset, yet, for a few dynamic individuals who want to get ahead, there could be a definite win win situation.  A win for those individuals, a win for the organisation as new possibilities emerge and a win for their customers and stakeholders as they reap the rewards of such thinking.

Challenges that will be faced along the way: individuals will be seen as 'favourites' or 'elitist'; the company processes will bog down creativity in bureaucracy; senior staff fear risk and will err on the side of caution; the organisation will try to 'formalise' such individuals and their projects; HR won't know how to handle these individuals in terms of remuneration and boundaries.

A vision for the future - imagine dynamic individuals in groups of 2 or 3 seeking out opportunities, being given the freedom to talk to who they need to, to take action, to make things happen.  Dynamic hubs scattered across an organisation who are constantly on the look-out for new ideas, new ways to do things, new ways to make money and keep stakeholders happy.  No drawn-out planning processes.  No 'death by meeting' approach.  No hierarchical chain to slog through before reaching the person who can say yes or no.

Pipe dream or possibility?  What do you think?