The 25 questions in this quiz are designed to measure competi­tiveness, self-reliance, patience, emotional stability, flexibility, objectivity, and other important entrepreneurial traits. When you've finished, you can total your score to see how you might fare as a business owner. Give yourself 4 points for each A answer, 3 points for each B answer, 2 points for each C answer, and 1 point for each D answer.



1. I would readily give up the security of working for someone else for the autonomy of running my own business, even if it meant more work and less pay.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

2. I'm more determined than most people and can do just about anything I set my mind to.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

3. I have a sharp, analytical mind.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

4. I've worked long hours for extended periods of time in my previous jobs, and I'd still be willing and able to do so if necessary.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

5. I've always been driven to be the best in everything I do.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

6. I can deal with chronic problems and obstacles without get­ ting frustrated or losing my temper.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

7. I welcome a challenge and hate to feel like I'm wasting my time on routine tasks.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

8. I value competence over personality, and would rather work with a difficult person who's competent than a person who's very congenial but less competent.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

9. I'm more likely to organize a group of people and take charge than to follow the lead of others.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

10. I'm more comfortable making decisions and giving orders than having decisions made for me and taking orders.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

11. I'm efficient and able to stick to a strict timetable in order to complete tasks in a timely way.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

12. I'd value my employees' well-being, but not at the expense of my business.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

13. Given reasonable odds, my efforts usually influence the outcome of an endeavor.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

14. My energy level is higher than that of most people.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

15. I'm able to remain calm and perform well in a crisis.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

16. I can be patient and acknowledge when a situation is be­ yond my control.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

17. I love the challenge of analyzing, attacking, and complet­ ing a complex task.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

18. I've often led and directed projects and groups.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

19. I can easily change course once I've started a project.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

20. I'm capable of firing an unproductive employee, although I would not be happy at the prospect of doing it.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

21. I like to experiment and try new things—from meeting new people to trying new activities.

A. strongly agree

B. moderately agree

C. moderately disagree

D. strongly disagree

22. I've had years of experience, either in business or as a hobby, in the field in which I plan to start a business.

A. more than 3

B. 1 to 3

C. between 6 months and 1

23. I've had the following business experience:

A. owned and managed my own business

B. management-level experience (supervised others)

C. employee-level experience (no supervisees)

D. none

24. I've been ill to the extent that it curtailed my activi­ ties days over the past three years.

A. 0 to 5

B. 6 to 10

C. 11 to 15

D. 16 or more

25. I function most effectively if I get at least hours of sleep a night.

A. 5 or less

INTERPRETING YOUR SCORE

92-100 The Fortune 500 Awaits!

You possess most, if not all, of the key personality and be­havioral traits of the successful entrepreneur. Get to work!

84-91 Go For It!

You're no Micheal Dell , but you still possess an encouraging number of entrepreneurial characteristics. If your score on the last five questions was 23 or above, your behavioral attitudes