Module 1 (Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies)

(Food Processing 10)

Assessment of Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PECs) and Skills
vis-à-vis a Practicing Entrepreneur in a Province

Entrepreneurial competencies refer to the important characteristics that should be possessed by an individual in
order to perform entrepreneurial functions effectively. In this module, you will learn some of the most important characteristics,
attributes, lifestyle, skills and traits of a successful entrepreneur or an employee to be successful in a chosen career.

Below are few important characteristics / traits / attributes of a good entrepreneur:

 Hardworking: One of the important characteristics of a good entrepreneur is hardworking.

This means working diligently and being consistent about it. Hardworking people keep
improving their performance to produce good products and/or provide good services.

 Confident: Entrepreneurs have self-reliance in one’s ability and judgment. They exhibit
self-confidence to cope with the risks of operating their own business.

 Disciplined: Successful entrepreneurs always stick to the plan and fight the temptation to
do what is unimportant.

 Committed: Good entrepreneurs assume full responsibility over their business. They give
full commitment and solid dedication to make the business successful.

 Ability to accept change: Nothing is permanent but change. Change occurs frequently.
When you own a business, you should cope with and thrive on changes. Capitalize on
positive changes to make your business grow.

 Creative: An entrepreneur should be creative and innovative to stay in the business and in
order to have an edge over the other competitors.
Has the initiative: An entrepreneur takes the initiative. You must put yourself in a position where
you are responsible for the failure or success of your business.

Profit-oriented: An entrepreneur enters the world of business to generate profit or additional

income. The business shall become your bread and butter. Therefore, you must see to it that
the business can generate income.

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 Listed below are the important skills of a successful entrepreneur:

 Excellent planner: Planning involves strategic thinking and goal setting to achieve objectives
by carefully maximizing all the available resources. A good entrepreneur develops and
follows the steps in the plans diligently to realize goals. A good entrepreneur knows that
planning is an effective skill only when combined with action.

 Possesses people skills: This is a very important skill needed to be successful in any kind of
business. People skills refer to effective and efficient communication and establishing good
relationship to the people working in and out of your business. In day-to-day business
transactions, you need to deal with people. A well-developed interpersonal skill can make a
huge difference between success and failure of the business.

 Sound decision maker: Successful entrepreneurs have the ability to think quickly and
to make wise decisions towards a pre-determined set of objectives. No one can deny
that the ability to make wise decisions is an important skill that an entrepreneur should
possess. Sound decisions should be based on given facts and information and lead towards
the pre-determined objectives.

Task 1: Individual Activity

Directions: Answer the following guide questions on a separate sheet of paper. Share your answers with the
class.

1. Explain the importance of assessing one’s PECs before engaging in a

particular entrepreneurial activity.

2. What are the desirable personal characteristics, attributes, lifestyles, skills, and traits of a prospective entrepreneur?
Why are these important?

3. What is the significance of evaluating PECs of a successful

entrepreneur? What helpful insights can you draw from this activity

5. Why is there a need to assess one’s PECs in terms of characteristics, attributes, lifestyles, skills, and traits before
starting a particular business?

Task 2: PECs Checklist

Directions: Using the PECs checklist, assess yourself by putting a check ( ) mark in either strengths or
development areas column. Interpret the results by counting the total number of check marks in each of the
columns. After accomplishing the checklist, form a group and share your insights on the result of the personal
assessment.

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 Table 1: PECs Checklist

Personal Assessment in terms

of:
Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies
(PECs) of an Entrepreneur Strengths Development
Areas

Hardworking
- Works diligently
Confident
- Self-reliance in one’s ability
Disciplined
- Always stick to the plan
Committed
- Solid dedication
Ability to accept changes
- Adaptable
Creative
- Innovative to have edge over other
competitors
Profit-oriented
- Always looking for an opportunity to
have/earn income
Excellent planner
- Strategic thinking and setting of
goals
Possess people skill
- Effective and efficient
communication skills and relates well to
people
Sound decision maker
- Makes wise decisions towards the
set objectives

TOTAL

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 Task 3: Interview
Directions: In your province, interview a successful computer technician or entrepreneur whose type of business is
related with computer hardware servicing. Focus your questions on PECs and other business-related attributes that
helped them become successful. Analyze the results of the interview and reflect on the similarities and/or differences.
Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Sample Interview Guide
Name of Proprietor/Practitioner: Age:
Number of Years in Business:
Business Name:
Business Address:

1. What preparations did you make before you engaged in this type of business or job?

2. What special skills and characteristics do you have that are related with your business or job?

3. How did you solve business-related problems during the early years of your business operation?

4. Did you follow the tips from a successful businessman or practitioner before you engaged in your
business?

5. What best business practices can you share with aspiring entrepreneurs?

6. What do you think are the salient characteristics, attributes, lifestyle, skills and traits that made you
successful in your business or job?