Entrepreneur or Manager?  Aptitude Quiz
Do you have the right stuff to start – and grow – a business? To test yourself, choose A, B, C or D below. To check your score, count how many of each letter you chose.
1.	1. How do you feel about direct contact with customers?
	a. I enjoy customer contact most of the time, but I wouldn’t miss it if it went away.
	b. I take great satisfaction in personally caring for my customers.
	c. I’d really rather do my work without being interrupted to deal with customers.
	d. I understand customers are important to my business but I don’t enjoy serving them myself.
2.	How well do you take complaints and criticisms?
	a. I don’t mind being on the receiving end of complaints and criticism, as long as the interaction remains professional.
	b. I like complaints and criticism because they help me understand another person’s point of view.
	c. I feel pride in what I do and always try to do my best work, so complaints and criticism really sting.
	d. I understand that everybody makes mistakes and I appreciate learning how I can do better in the future.
3.	How are you at managing your time?
	a. I take time to plan, make lists, prioritize, and batch my tasks for efficiency. Then I follow my plan.
	b. I don’t plan much but I’ve learned to stay productive by using whatever pockets of time I can find.
	c. I sometimes over-commit myself. I sometimes have to work longer hours or re-negotiate deadlines.
	d. I’ve learned to plan ahead and to make accurate time estimates. When I see a time-crunch coming, I arrange for extra help to get me through.
4.	With day-to-day decisions, what’s your style?
	a. I obtain the necessary data, analyze it, and then make my decision.
	b. I make up my mind quickly. My decisions usually work out okay in the long run.
	c. I don’t have time for lengthy evaluation of every option. I go with my gut hunch.
	d. I seek advice from peers who’ve faced similar decisions.
5.	How do you feel about unfamiliar situations?
	a. I don’t mind an unfamiliar situation as long as I’m pretty sure it won’t be dangerous or uncomfortable.
	b. I find unfamiliar situations stimulating. I seek them out, for example, by traveling.
	c. I find unfamiliar situations stressful but I manage the stress well. It doesn’t paralyze me.
	d. I’d rather avoid the discomfort of the unfamiliar. I get more satisfaction from doing what I know well than from trying something new.
6.	What’s your delegation style?
	a. I like to work independently. My goal is to delegate not just tasks, but whole areas of responsibility and authority.
	b. I believe in delegating but sometimes I forget to give all the critical information.
	c. I like working alone. I prefer situations that don’t require delegation.
	d. I delegate when I feel it will improve my efficiency or lower my stress level.
7.	You’ve tried to accomplish a goal several different ways, and nothing’s worked. Your next idea is to:
	a. Ask some business associates to review my approach.
	b. Reconsider whether that goal is what I should be trying to accomplish. Maybe it’s time to go in a new direction.
	c. Buy a how-to book and try to figure it out.
	d. Form a committee to work on it because two heads (or more) are better than one.
8.	How do you feel about co-workers?
	a. I like co-workers well enough but I don’t need everybody’s approval or affection.
	b. I like co-workers. I get along with most personality types and feel they get along with me.
	c. Too often, co-workers don’t meet my standards and that gets on my nerves.
	d. I really enjoy co-workers. I find when I spend time alone, I get bored or lonely.
What your score means:
Mostly As: You’ve got the right stuff to start a business…and be the manager of your business when it grows. Mostly Bs: You’re an entrepreneur all right…and will probably go on to start more businesses. Mostly Cs: You fit the profile of a soloist more than an orchestra leader. You have what it takes to start a business, but you may not want to grow it to a large-scale enterprise. Mostly Ds: You’re a good manager, but may not be made of entrepreneurial material. If you are starting a business, aim for rapid growth, so that you soon reach the level that lets your natural talent for management shine. A little of each? Congratulations! You’re a person with a broad array of talents and aptitudes. You can accomplish your dreams if you work on your weaknesses and play to your strengths.
Would you like to see how you compare to other readers?  Click "Submit".  Read the results in the next issue of the Bulletin.