What is enterprise?

'What is Enterprise?' It's a question many people ask. We hope that this section will provide you with some answers to this. There is a wide range of definitions on what enterprise is and what it means to be enterprising. 

The points below give a snapshot of the ways that enterprise can be defined.

  • Having persistence – that means sticking at things and not giving up easily
  • Being flexible – willing to do things in a different way and not being set in a routine
  • Being creative and innovative – able to come up with new and unusual ideas
  • Having drive and determination – knowing what you want and having the will to work hard and go for it
  • Awareness of opportunities – being able to spot opportunities and make the most of them
  • Enthusiasm
  • Competitiveness – wanting to do better than and beat your rivals
  • Showing initiative – doing things off your own back without having to be told
  • Positive thinking – being able to see the positive side of any situation
  • "Can do" attitude – believing in yourself and your ability to achieve

Anyone can develop these enterprising skills. Young people do so by going on work experience; taking part in enterprise activities at school; working towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award; participating in a school sports team; getting a part time job; organising an event or trip.