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Opportunity costs - Why founding a company and taking the step into self-employment is really (financially) worthwhile in the rarest of cases

12/06/2023 | By: FDS

Starting your own business can be a very rewarding move, but rarely is it the most profitable move you can make as an entrepreneur. There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether an entrepreneur should start his or her own career or business.

One important factor is that one must weigh the costs and risks of starting one's own business against the costs and risks one would face in an employed position. These include the costs of starting a business, the costs of running the business and operating the business in general, as well as the risks one takes as an entrepreneur, such as the risks of market failure.

In addition, the opportunities one has as an entrepreneur are not necessarily better than those one has as an employee. If you want to succeed as an entrepreneur, you have to invest a lot of energy and time into starting and running your business, which means you have less time to do other things and you may get paid less than you would in a salaried position.

Ultimately, starting your own business is a decision that each entrepreneur must make for themselves. It is important to make the decision in light of the opportunity costs and potential rewards and risks. When deciding to start a business, it is important to have the opportunity to run your business successfully and to realize that you may have to invest more money and time than you expect.

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Ranking Marketing Studies - At which university can you study in Germany?

11/21/2023 | By: FDS

There are many universities and colleges in Germany where you can study marketing. Choosing the best university or college to study marketing often depends on personal interests, goals and location preferences. Here are some renowned educational institutions in Germany that offer degree programmes in marketing:

University of Cologne: The University of Cologne offers a Bachelor's degree programme in Business Administration (BWL) with a focus on marketing. At Master's level, there is also the "Marketing, CEMS Master's in International Management" programme, which is run in collaboration with other international business schools.

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU): LMU Munich offers a Bachelor's and Master's degree programme in Business Administration (BWL) with a specialisation in Marketing.

Free University of Berlin: The Free University of Berlin offers a bachelor's degree programme in economics with a focus on marketing and management.

University of Mannheim: The University of Mannheim offers a Bachelor's degree programme in Business Education with a focus on marketing. At Master's level, there is the "Management" degree programme, which also specialises in marketing.

University of Passau: The University of Passau offers a Bachelor's degree programme in Business Administration (BWL) with a specialisation in Marketing and Electronic Business. At Master's level, there is the "Marketing and Electronic Business" programme.

University of Hohenheim: The University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart offers a Bachelor's degree programme in Economics with a specialisation in Marketing and Communication Sciences. There is also a Master's degree programme in "Marketing and Business Development."

WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management: WHU offers a Bachelor's degree programme in Business Administration with a focus on marketing. At Master's level, there are programmes such as "Master in Management" and "Master in Entrepreneurship", which also include marketing courses.

Pforzheim University: Pforzheim University offers Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in International Marketing.

ESCP Business School: This business school has a campus in Berlin and offers programmes such as the "Master in Marketing and Creativity" and the "Master in Marketing & Digital Media"

Leuphana University of Lüneburg: There is a Bachelor's degree programme in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing & Business Development as well as a Master's degree programme in Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

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From employee to entrepreneur - The decision to become self-employed

11/14/2023 | By: FDS

The decision to switch from permanent employment to self-employment is a big step that is associated with both opportunities and risks. However, more and more people are considering this step in order to realise their entrepreneurial dreams and take their professional future into their own hands. In this article, we look at the considerations and challenges faced by budding entrepreneurs who are considering making the switch from an employee position to self-employment.

Why do people decide in favour of self-employment?

Entrepreneurial passion: Many people have a passion for a particular business area or idea and want to turn it into reality.

Independence: The ability to work independently and make decisions without the restrictions of an employer is appealing to many people.

Financial goals: The hope of higher income opportunities and the prospect of long-term financial success are often drivers for self-employment.

Freedom to innovate: Self-employed people can pursue innovative ideas and business models without having to adhere to company guidelines.

Considerations before taking the step into self-employment:

Business idea: Clarify your business idea and analyse the market to ensure that there is demand for your product or service.

Financial preparation: Check your financial situation and make sure that you have sufficient reserves to manage the transition to self-employment.

Business plan: Create a detailed business plan that includes your business strategy, target group analysis and financial projections.

Legal matters: Find out about the legal and tax requirements for the self-employed in your region and choose the appropriate business form.

Market knowledge: Understand the competition and your target group in order to operate successfully in your market.

Challenges on the path to self-employment:

Financial risk: Self-employed people bear a higher financial risk as they do not have the security of a fixed salary.

Time commitment: Self-employment often requires a considerable amount of time, especially in the early stages of the business.

Customer acquisition: Acquiring customers can be a challenge, especially if you are operating in a highly competitive market.

Responsibility: Self-employed people need to take care of all aspects of their business, from bookkeeping to customer care.

Success stories of former employees who became self-employed:

Elon Musk: Elon Musk was once an employee at various companies before founding Tesla, SpaceX and other companies and becoming one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the world.

Oprah Winfrey: Oprah Winfrey began her career as a news anchor before building her own media brand, which is now recognised worldwide.

Moving from an employee position to self-employment is a big step that should be well thought out. However, with a clear business idea, financial preparation and a strategic approach, budding entrepreneurs can successfully embark on the path to self-employment and realise their entrepreneurial dreams.

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The role of entrepreneurship in starting a business

11/13/2023 | By: FDS

The entrepreneurial spirit is a key factor in the foundation and success of a company. It embodies the ability to recognise opportunities, take risks and find creative solutions to problems. In this article, we will shed light on the crucial role of entrepreneurship in starting a business and how it influences the path to entrepreneurial success.

What is entrepreneurial spirit?

The entrepreneurial spirit is a mindset that encompasses a willingness to be independent, to create innovation and to take risks. It is characterised by determination, creativity and a strong desire to create or improve something new. The entrepreneurial spirit is characterised by the ability to see challenges as opportunities and to take the initiative.

The role of entrepreneurship in starting a business:

Opportunity recognition: Entrepreneurs are able to identify market opportunities that may be overlooked by others. They see potential and trends that can serve as the basis for business ideas.

Creativity and innovation: The entrepreneurial spirit fosters creativity and the ability to develop innovative solutions to existing problems or needs. Start-ups that focus on innovation often have a competitive advantage.

Willingness to take risks: Starting a business involves risks, and the entrepreneurial spirit enables people to take these risks and overcome challenges. It requires the courage to venture into the unknown.

Determination and perseverance: the world of starting a business is not always easy. The entrepreneurial spirit helps to overcome obstacles and focus on long-term goals, even when there are setbacks.

Examples of entrepreneurial spirit in practice:

Steve Jobs (Apple): Steve Jobs was an outstanding example of entrepreneurial spirit. He recognised the potential of personal computers and developed innovative products such as the Macintosh and the iPhone.

Elon Musk (SpaceX, Tesla): Elon Musk is known for his entrepreneurial spirit in the field of space travel and electromobility. He set himself ambitious goals and pursued them with determination.

How can you develop an entrepreneurial spirit?

The entrepreneurial spirit can be developed by encouraging your own curiosity, creativity and willingness to take risks. This can be achieved through education, experience and collaboration with other entrepreneurs. Networking, studying successful entrepreneurs and participating in entrepreneurial activities are also helpful steps.

All in all, the entrepreneurial spirit is a decisive factor for the foundation and success of a company. It enables people to recognise opportunities, drive innovation and overcome obstacles. By fostering entrepreneurship, we can promote the growth of start-ups and economic development as a whole.

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Incubators, accelerators and start-up centers: support for aspiring entrepreneurs

11/08/2023 | By: FDS

The journey from idea to successful business start-up is often fraught with challenges. For budding entrepreneurs, especially in today's competitive business world, having the right support and resources available can be crucial. This is where incubators, accelerators and business incubators come into play. In this article, we look at the role and benefits of these organisations for aspiring founders.

Incubators: Incubating business ideas

Incubators are facilities that provide start-ups and founders with a physical space in which to develop and realise their business ideas. Here are some of the key features of incubators:

Infrastructure: Incubators often provide offices, workspaces and resources such as internet access and conference rooms. This enables founders to work cost-effectively without having to invest in expensive office equipment.

Advice and mentoring: Many incubators offer advisory services and mentoring programmes. Experienced entrepreneurs and experts are on hand to help founders with strategic decisions and challenges.

Financial support: Some incubators also offer financial support in the form of grants or investments. This can help to secure start-up funding.

Accelerators: Accelerating growth

Accelerators are programmes that focus start-ups on rapid growth and expansion. Here are some of the key features of accelerators:

Intensive training: Accelerators often offer training and workshops on various aspects of entrepreneurship, from business model development to sales techniques

Financing: In return for a stake in the company, accelerators often offer financing support in the form of investment and capital.

Limited in time: Accelerator programmes are usually limited in time, often to a few months. During this time, the founders work intensively on advancing their company.

Demo Day: Many accelerator programmes end with a "Demo Day", where founders present their companies to investors and potential partners.

Business incubators: community and resources

Business incubators are often independent organisations or facilities within universities that offer a wide range of resources and support for founders. Here are some of the benefits of business incubators:

Education: Business incubators offer training, seminars and educational resources to educate entrepreneurs in various aspects of entrepreneurship.

Access to expertise: Business incubators allow founders to access the expertise of professors, industry experts and consultants.

Fostering collaboration: These facilities encourage collaboration and the exchange of ideas between founders, which can lead to innovative solutions.

Facilities and resources: Some incubators also provide office space, laboratories and access to specialised equipment.

Incubators, accelerators and business incubators play a crucial role in supporting and promoting start-ups and business founders. They offer not only resources and expertise, but also a supportive environment that enables founders to realise their full potential and successfully implement their business ideas. At a time when innovation and entrepreneurship are crucial, these organisations are valuable players in the start-up landscape.

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