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MERRY CHRISTMAS 

TO ALL MY READERS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR IN ADVANCE!.

Are You 'Intelligent' Enough to Be an Entrepreneur?

Many people feel that they just aren’t smart enough to be an entrepreneur, yet there seems to be no convincing evidence that a high IQ is a prerequisite for this lifestyle. We all know of successful businesses started by first-time entrepreneurs who dropped out of school, and according to many sources, “street smarts” (experience) tends to trump “book smarts” (intelligence) every time.

Another perspective is that there are in fact multiple types of intelligence, and we all have strengths and weaknesses along all of these scales. It does appear that most successful entrepreneurs are those with the broadest range of interests, skills and experiences (street smarts), while a maximum depth in any given discipline is not so important.

Here are basic definitions for the eight most commonly recognized intelligences that cover the potential of most humans, prioritized by my view of applicability to the entrepreneurial role:

1. Word-smarts (linguistic intelligence)

People with a high linguistic intelligence display a high facility for word usage and languages. They are typically good at communicating ideas, reading, writing and telling stories. Good entrepreneurs need these skills to lead a team, sell ideas to customers and investors and write business plans.

2. People-smarts (interpersonal intelligence)

These attributes are the embodiment of social skills. Entrepreneurs with high social skills interact more effectively with all their constituents. They are able to sense the feelings, motivations and temperaments of others, to enlist their support and negotiate effectively. They love working with people.

3. Self-smarts (intra-personal intelligence)

Intra-personal intelligence is the capacity to understand your own strengths, weaknesses and motivations, and to capitalize on these insights in planning and strategy. Good entrepreneurs must be able to surround themselves with advisors and partners who complement their skills to find satisfaction and happiness.

4. Number-smarts (logical-reasoning intelligence)

Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to calculate, quantify and think logically. Entrepreneurs use strengths in this area to balance their passion for a specific solution and to develop the specific steps and financial resources required for building, rolling out and scaling the business to success.

5. Nature-smarts (naturalist intelligence)

This sort of environmental and cultural insight is deeply rooted in a sensitive, ethical and holistic understanding of the world and its complexities. I believe that good entrepreneurs use this to see new markets first, predict world trends and devise effective marketing campaigns and demographics for focus.

6. Picture-smarts (spatial intelligence)

Spatial intelligence is the ability to think in three dimensions and the ability to visualize with the mind's eye. Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning and an active imagination. It’s easy to see how this is important for entrepreneurs in marketing, solution design and product branding.

7. Body-smarts (kinesthetic intelligence)

This intelligence involves a sense of timing and the perfection of skills through mind-body coordination. Business entrepreneurs who are also good at invention and building innovative new products are especially strong in this area. Strengths here also lead to leadership presence and public-speaking prowess.

8. Music-smarts (musical intelligence)

Musical intelligence is the capacity to discern pitch, rhythm, timbre and tone. In addition to being key to any business directly or indirectly related to music, this skill help entrepreneurs to be better listeners, orchestrate events and develop marketing programs. Music-smart people also tend to be logical.

In addition to looking at intelligence, every aspiring entrepreneur needs to look at mindset. The mindset that works best is one that sees challenges as exciting rather than threatening, setbacks as learning opportunities and a conviction that effort and perseverance will overcome any obstacle.

If you have that mindset and even a few strengths among the multiple intelligences described above, don’t let anyone, including yourself, tell you that you aren’t smart enough to be an entrepreneur.

Source: entrepreneur.com

Contributor: Martin Zwilling

GIST Tech-I Competition

The Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Tech-I Competition is an annual competition for science and technology entrepreneurs from emerging economies worldwide. Aspiring innovators submit their ideas and startups online in an application consisting of an executive summary and promotional video. Their applications are then reviewed by experts and voted on by the global voting public in order to determine the finalists. Up to thirty finalists receive a trip to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), this year in Silicon Valley, to showcase their ventures and to receive intensive training. GIST Tech-I winners, selected by experts at the GES, win prizes, and receive one-on-one mentorship and training.

Since 2011, innovators from around the globe have showcased their science and technology ventures to the world through GIST Tech-I Competitions. Thousands of expert reviews have taken place and the online voting public has cast over 1 million votes in support of these talented young innovators.

Now is your turn to participate and share your amazing ideas with the world! The GIST Tech-I 2016 application opens December 7, 2015!

Visit:  http://www.gistnetwork.org/tech-i/howtoapply for more information

One-Day-a Pill to Ease the Fear of Hysterectomy

Development in treatment of fibroids could save women from surgery

A one-a-day tablet could ease the fear of hysterectomy and offer the hope of starting a family to thousands of young women blighted by a painful, fertility limiting womb condition. The new development in the treatment of fibroids – non-cancerous blood-filled lumps that grow in or around the uterus – could save them from ever needing surgery.

The drug, Esmya, was approved in 2012 for use to shrink fibroids before surgery to remove them. But a watershed ruling by the European Commission, which follows stunning clinical trial results, means sufferers can now be prescribed Esmya long-term, whether they go on to have surgery or not.Gynaecologists believe it could transform the way uterine fibroids are treated.

Around 40 in every 100 women develop fibroids at some time in their life, most often aged between 30 and 50. Many don’t know they have fibroids until they have a routine gynaecological examination, but for others symptoms may be debilitating – including heavy, long and painful periods, bleeding between periods, a feeling of ‘fullness’ in the lower part of the stomach, pain or discomfort during intercourse, fertility problems and miscarriage.

In some cases growths can be so large they press on nearby organs, such as the bladder, bowel or kidney, causing further complications.The cause of fibroids isn’t known, though they are more common in women who haven’t had children. If symptoms can’t be controlled with medication, fibroids can be removed by keyhole surgery.

Women with large fibroids may undergo a uterine artery embolisation, in which a radiologist blocks the blood vessels that supply the fibroids, causing them to shrink. In the most severe cases a myomectomy – open surgery to remove the fibroids followed by reconstruction of the uterus – or a hysterectomy – complete removal of the uterus – may be carried out. Martin Powell, a consultant gynaecologist at the Nottingham Treatment Centre, said: ‘Prescribing Esmya for long-term control of fibroids gives women a choice. ‘Finally we have a viable treatment that can shrink their fibroids and reduce the bleeding, rather than having to undergo major surgery.It is particularly significant for those women who want children and therefore wish to avoid surgery that could damage their fertility or, in the case of a hysterectomy, prevent them being able to start a family.

Nitu Bajekal, a consultant gynaecologist at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust in Hampstead and co-founder of Women For Women’s Health UK, says by not having surgery, patients are avoiding the risk of damage to nearby organs, infections and the need for blood transfusion. 

Source: dailymail.co.uk