Content provided in partnership with

Business Services Industry

Education counts

Entrepreneur, Feb, 2005 by Charles J. Lawrence

The editorial staff of Entrepreneur is to be congratulated on providing a fascinating glimpse into the world of young, smart wannabes and accomplished millionaires ("Young Millionaires: Class of 2004," November). I find the magazine stimulating and educational in its coverage of many dynamic, hardworking individuals who have plainly established their goals and are driven to attain them.

Now the question comes to mind: Why are these stories exceptional? Is it because they represent the tip of the business iceberg? Are their accomplishments the exception rather than the rule? If we understand the adverse odds of succeeding in starting up a business venture, then the answer is yes!

Most Popular Articles in Business: Research and Markets : Tesco Plc - SWOT Framework Analysis; Do Us a Flavor - Ben & Jerry's Issues a Call for Euphoric New Flavors; eBay made easy: ready to start an eBay business? These 5 simple steps will ...; Katrina's lawsuit surge: a legal battle to force insurers to pay for flood ...; Wal-Mart's newest distribution center opened last month near the southwest ...; More »

But do the high failure rates of businesses stem from some immutable law of business dynamics, or can they be changed? Is the typical dream based upon faulty premises or, rather, are the mechanics of implementing the dream haphazardly applied?

This begs the question: Why can we not learn about the basics of business during our high school years? Why do we have to learn the hard way? Bankruptcies and indebtedness, the offshoots of poor fiscal planning, are growing blights on our society.

Academically, we start to learn about the rules of business too late. Business rules our lives. It is the basis of our very existence and yet, when we leave school, we have little or no idea as to how the average business works. Our primary concern upon leaving school is either to go to college and pursue a profession, or get a job. In the latter case, we ]earn about business from our on-the-job training--the hard way.

A working knowledge of business planning and cash flow control would benefit the average student in everyday life and later assist him or her in handling the budgetary requirements of family life. In the humble opinion of an old-timer business consultant, the fundamentals of business should be a mandatory part of the academic curricula.

In the meantime, Entrepreneur will serve as a fount of knowledge and inspiration. Keep up the good work.

CHARLES J. LAWRENCE

Lawrence Business Press

Pembroke Pines, Florida

Business Services Industry

Education counts

Entrepreneur, Feb, 2005 by Charles J. Lawrence

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Technology

Most Popular Articles in Business

Most Popular Publications in Business