a speech on entrepreneurship

13 Best Motivational Speeches for Entrepreneurs (2024)

Who couldn’t use a few of the best motivational speeches for entrepreneurs?

Business can be hard. Heck, life can be hard.

We’re all on a journey, and we’ve all been down in the dumps before, wondering if what we’re doing is really worth it.

Wondering if what we’re doing is really making an impact.

But, it’s important that we’re always moving forward. This is a lesson that I learned early in life.

I remember I was around 4 years old, and I was learning to ride my bike with my uncle and my father.

Of course, I fell off multiple times while I was learning to cycle, and I remember the time I cut my knee pretty badly.

At that point I really just wanted to quit and go home. But, my family told me: “you can’t quit now, you’re almost there. Just try it once more!”

You’ve probably heard that before too, right?

So, I got back on that bike. I didn’t want to, but you just need to power through and face your challenges head-on.

Sure enough, that was the first time that I rode that bike without any help.

After that, I was so glad I kept moving forward and that I never gave up.

Now, that probably wasn’t the motivational speech that you expected when you clicked on this article, but it’s evidence that we can do so much more than we think we’re capable of when we’re spurred on by others.

And that’s exactly why we’ve created this article – we’ve listed all of our favorite motivational speeches here, because we already know how much more you can achieve with a little bit of extra motivation .

So, let’s jump into it!

Post Contents

Will Smith – Pursuit of Happiness

Al pacino – any given sunday, steve jobs – 2005 stanford commencement speech, matthew mcconaughey – university of houston speech, sheryl sandberg – harvard business school motivational speech, sylvester stallone – balboa speech, arnold schwarzenegger – famous motivational speech, richard st.john – 8 secrets of success, eric thomas – i can, i will, i must, denzel washington – fall forward, key takeaways, want to learn more.

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13 Best Motivational Speeches for Entrepreneurs

Considered one of the best motivational speeches, this famous motivational speech from the 2006 film, Pursuit of Happyness , features Will Smith and his son playing basketball.

At the start of the clip, you’ll see Smith’s son (his actual son, Jaden Smith) playing around with a basketball, and he shouts out, “I’m going pro!”

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After hearing this, Smith decides to try and level his son’s expectations, mentioning that he himself never really excelled at basketball, so his son shouldn’t expect to either.

His son is visibly disappointed by this comment, and Smith notices this.

Smith then proclaims: “don’t ever let somebody tell you that you can’t do something, not even me.”

“You got a dream, you gotta protect it. You want something, go get it. Period.”

This motivational speech is a special one. Even though both Will and Jaden Smith are acting, they’re still father and son, and you can see how this scene reflects their own family dynamic.

It’s a short motivational speech, but it’s one of the best motivational speeches of all time, in our opinion.

Al Pacino’s speech from the American Football drama, Any Given Sunday, is next up on our list.

This famous motivational speech really gets your blood flowing – perfect for watching before you tackle a difficult day .

The motivational speech revolves around the idea of inches being so important in American Football, even if we have the tendency to overlook them.

He talks about the different ways that his team can gain advantages over their opponents, even if it’s only an inch at a time.

He proclaims: “when we add up all those […] inches, that’s what makes the difference between winning and losing”.

This point is applicable throughout life, too – it’s the people who go the extra mile who tend to find success more often than not.

And sometimes, you won’t notice it at first, but like Pacino mentions, it’s the sum of all the small parts which lead you to victory.

Motivational speeches like this one pump you up when you need it most.

Steve Jobs, one of the key figures behind tech giant Apple’s success, is next up on our list of the best motivational speeches of all time.

In his 2005 Stanford commencement speech, the former Apple CEO dives deep into his own journey as an entrepreneur , and he speaks openly about the issues that he’s faced along the way and how he overcame them.

During this classic motivational speech, Jobs talks about how he was actually a college dropout and that this was one of the most important times of his life. 

He mentioned that he dropped out of college to take classes that he was truly interested in, rather than studying topics he wasn’t deeply passionate about.

One of those classes that he took up after dropping out was calligraphy. He was so compelled by the high standard of handwriting.

To many, this might seem like a strange choice, but he connects the experience that he gained from that class to the font choices that he installed on Apple computers.

If Jobs had never taken that calligraphy class, he wouldn’t have cared so much about a seemingly small detail, like fonts, but Apple was the first company to add different typefaces to their operating systems. 

He goes on to say: “You can’t connect the dots if you’re looking forward, you can only do it looking backwards. So, you need to keep moving forward and hope that the dots align somehow.”

The key message from this famous motivational speech is that we’re always learning. We’re always growing and finding out new information. It’s all about what we choose to do with that information that really defines us.

As Jobs said: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”

Next up on our list of motivational speeches is Matthew McConaughey, with his commencement speech at the University of Houston.

The Oscar-winning actor delivers some very pertinent points during his speech, but the one that stuck out for me was how he spoke of joy being a “constant approach”.

McConaughey said: “Joy is always in process, it’s always under construction.”

He spoke of how he was previously judging his success on metrics that he thought were important to him, like the number of academy awards he won, or the amount of money his films grossed.

But, it was only when he decided to focus on the whole process of creating a film, and enjoying every aspect of it, that he found true success in those metrics.

It turned out that, when he took everything one step at a time, and truly enjoyed his craft, he found that things just fell into place.

“Define success for yourself.”

Find what you want to achieve, and enjoy the entire journey – not just the high points, but the lows too.

Matthew McConaughey ended up delivering one of the best motivational speeches from the past few years.

Sheryl Sandberg, the American entrepreneur, tech executive, author, and current COO of Facebook, is the next addition to our list of the best motivational speeches with her talk at the Harvard Business School in 2012.

Besides talking about her own experiences as an entrepreneur, and her work at Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg, Sandberg mentions a very pertinent idea. One that we can all do well to remember.

“Motivation comes from working on things that we care about.”

This is certainly true for entrepreneurship – those who are running businesses and working to tackle problems that engage them are more likely to find success.

And, according to Sandberg, it’s so important that we continue to work, because that’s the most important thing.

All in all, this is one of the best motivational speeches for students that we’ve seen.

Rocky Balboa , played by Sylvester Stallone, is a famed character best known for his courage, hard work, and determination.

In Rocky Balboa, the sixth film in the Rocky franchise, Stallone delivers one of the hardest-hitting motivational speeches of all time.

Stallone starts off the motivational speech by saying: “The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows.”

He goes on to talk about the value of hard work and commitment and emphasizes that “it ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”

As an entrepreneur, this motivational speech really hits home. There will be struggles on your journey to success , but as Stallone says, it’s all about “how much you can take and keep moving forward, that’s how winning is done.”

Remember this when your back is up against the wall – winners never give up!

This is one of the most iconic motivational speeches. You’ll often find it in motivational speech mashup videos on YouTube or even on Spotify.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-American actor, entrepreneur, politician, and former My Olympia, is next up on our list of the most famous motivational speeches for entrepreneurs.

He starts his motivational speech with a simple, powerful message.

“Work your ass off.”

Schwarzenegger then discusses how having a goal was so pivotal for him on his journey to success in a variety of fields.

He also talks about how “only a quarter of people really enjoy what they’re doing in life.”

Schwarzenegger also believes that everybody should be constantly working to get closer to their main goal and properly utilize every hour of their day.

“Imagine if you worked on a business every day for an hour . Imagine how further along you would get.”

This is perhaps the most important message from this motivational speech – it’s down to us to make the most of our limited time on earth. And this message, which everybody can get behind, is why we believe this is one of the best motivational speeches of all time.

Next up on our list, we’ve got an infamous TED talk from Richard St.John – also one of the shortest motivational speeches that we’ve ever seen, but it sure is impactful.

St.John mentions at the start of the video that this talk is a condensed version of 7 years of research (including research from more than five hundred interviews with successful professionals).

One of the most interesting points that St.John mentions is that if you want to be successful at something, you need to “put your nose down in something and get damn good at it.”

But, the most motivational part of St.John’s speech for us was where he talks about passion.

He said: “if you do something you love then the money comes along later.”

This section of the motivational speech is especially relevant for entrepreneurs – if you’re building a brand , then try and be invested in it as much as possible – a commitment to the cause will really help you find success in the long run. 

When you’re trying to find success, you need to love what you do!

Eric Thomas is a fantastic speaker, and in this classic motivational speech, he empowers us to believe that we can always get through adversity, no matter what the challenge is.

Thomas repeats this line throughout the speech: “I can get through this. I will get through this. I must get through this.”

He also cleverly uses our loved ones as a source of inspiration in this motivational speech.

He asks us to focus on the 3 people we love the most and challenges us to question our own decisions regarding motivation.

“You gotta think about those people every day.”

“You have some days when you think about hitting the snooze button? […] The days you don’t feel like getting up, just think about them.”

Instead of being lazy and complacent, we need to think about our loved ones and question what they’d think if we were procrastinating 24/7 .

Honestly, it’s fine doing something for yourself, but knowing that you’ve made your loved ones proud just makes everything feel 10 times better. This is one of the main messages from this motivational speech. 

And that’s why this is one of the best motivational speeches of all time. It takes the onus away from working for yourself and instead focuses on putting in the work for people you couldn’t bear to let down.  

Elon Musk – USC Commencement Motivational Speech

Elon Musk is an icon of inspiration for countless people worldwide. Known for his out-of-the-box thinking and visionary technology, Musk shows us that anything is possible if we put our minds to it.

In the USC Commencement motivational speech, Elon immediately demonstrates his tendency to break away from the status quo. He tells us he was advised to stick to 3 items that he wanted to mention, but he’s going to share four.

Elon tells his listeners that they need to work proportionally to the accomplishments they want to achieve. “If you want to start a company, you need to work super hard.”

Elon’s speech here is compelling because it’s so authentic. He doesn’t talk about being lucky or following your gut instinct. Musk tells us that great things come from an equally astronomical amount of work.

Musk also acknowledges the power of great people, “all a company is, is a group of people that have gathered together.” Elon says that if you want a great company, you need a great team.

Musk’s third point is to “focus on signal over noise.” In other words, concentrate on developments that make the product better, “don’t just follow the trend.”

The final piece of advice from Elon’s speech? “Take risks.” Jump into new opportunities and pursue different things.

Ed Shereen – Being Weird is a Wonderful Thing

Ed Sheeran might not be the first person you think of when you visualize the world’s greatest thought leaders. Yet, he constantly moves millions of people with his music and his words.

At the 9 th Annual American Institute for Stuttering Benefit Gala, Sheeran talked about how Eminem helped him overcome his speech impediment.

Sheeran admits to being a “very, very weird child” with a birthmark on his face, large glasses, and no eardrum on one side of his head. He says that “stuttering was actually the least of my problems when I went to school,” but he found it extremely difficult.

Sheeran notes that not being able to express himself in the right way was his biggest concern with his stutter. However, when his dad bought him an Eminem CD when he was young. Listening to it helped him to learn how to speak fast and accomplish his stutter.

Ed’s insights are a great source of inspiration for entrepreneurs learning how to deal with the stress of public speaking and believing in themselves.

Now, Ed believes that “being weird is a wonderful thing”. He asks us to “embrace yourself, embrace your quirks, and embrace your weirdness.”

Jim Carrey – Maharishi University Commencement Motivational Speech

Jim Carrey’s commencement speech at the Maharishi University is filled with so much wisdom it’s difficult to decide which to focus on.

Perhaps the most important statement Jim made for entrepreneurs and business leaders was that “fear” will always be a big player in our lives. However, Jim notes, “you get to decide how much.” You can spend your life in fear, or you can follow your heart.

Jim says that countless people choose their path out of fear. They stick to what’s safe and easy because they’re afraid to ask, “what if?” However, Carrey says that the only way to live is to ask the universe for what you need.

Jim Carrey invites his listeners to “risk being seen in all of your glory.” He says that our job isn’t to figure out how we’re going to reach success, but to simply “open the door in your head” and walk through it when the time is right.

“You will fail at something. Accept it.”

In the last entry on our list of the best motivational speeches, Denzel Washington discusses failure.

But, Washington doesn’t shirk away from failure ; he embraces it.

He says that “every failed experiment is one step closer to success.”

This is certainly true when it comes to entrepreneurship . You learn so much from everything you do, whether it’s a win or a loss.

But, the most important thing isn’t necessarily winning or losing. It’s about getting out there and giving it everything you’ve got. That’s why this is one of our favorite motivational speeches about life. 

“Never be discouraged. Never hold back. And when you fall in life, remember this: fall forward.”

So, that’s our list of the best motivational speeches for entrepreneurs.

We hope you enjoyed those clips. We just want to highlight a couple of key points present across all of these motivational speeches.

• It’s important that you love what you do . Be invested. Be present. And be the best you can be.
• Failure isn’t a bad thing . If you learn from it, and continue to move forward, it can lead to great things.
• You need to want it. Entrepreneurship, along with many things in life, can be tough. You want it bad? Prove it.

Okay, that’s all from me today. Did I miss any motivational speeches off from this list? Let me know in the comments section – I read them all!

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2 Minute Speech On Entrepreneurship In English

Good morning everyone present here, today I am going to give a speech on Entrepreneurship. The term “entrepreneurship” refers to the factor of production that carries out the tasks of an enterprise. In terms of economics, the five factors of land, labor, capital, organization, and enterprise are considered to be the cornerstones of all production operations. In a larger sense, entrepreneurship can be thought of as the course of action an entrepreneur takes to start his business.

Understanding the political and economic climate is important for the entrepreneur. The definition of entrepreneurship is a creative and original response to the environment. These reactions may occur in any area of social endeavor, including business, agriculture, social work, and education, among others.

Entrepreneurship, according to Dr. J.E. Stepenek, is the ability to take risks, the ability to organize yourself, and the drive to diversify your business and introduce new ideas. The purpose of entrepreneurship is to identify investment and production opportunities, organize an enterprise to carry out a new manufacturing method and identify new raw material sources.

To conclude, being an entrepreneur requires a variety of skills and traits, making it a composite skill. These include creative risk-taking, the capacity to combine and use other production elements like capital, land, and labor, as well as intangible qualities like the capacity to harness scientific and technical advancements. Thus, entrepreneurship entails taking a chance and making crucial investments in the face of uncertainty. Thank you. 

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8 Best Motivational Speeches of All Time for Entrepreneurs

The first steps of any new venture are the hardest. From opening your doors to signing your first client, building your team to hiring your first marketing agency — every choice you make has substantial consequences for your business. 

Some choices could propel your business forward while others could set you back years or force you to close your doors.

Making these pivotal decisions is tough; that’s why entrepreneurs like yourself need to find motivation where you can. 

Seek out advice and guidance from those that have come before you. Start by watching some of the best motivational speeches that we’ve ever seen.

#1: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Speech that Broke the Internet

“I went to college. I went and worked out 5 hours a day. And I was working in construction. Because in those days in bodybuilding, there was no money. I didn’t have the money for food supplements or anything. So, I had to go to work. So, I worked in construction. I went to college and worked out in a gym. And at night from 8 o’clock at night to 12 midnight, I went to acting class 4 times a week. I did all that. There was not one single minute that I wasted.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger's speech was published on the Milligan Brothers YouTube channel on May 2, 2019. At the time this post was written, the video had already gotten more than three million views.

#2: J. K. Rowling’s Harvard Commencement Speech

“Ultimately, we all have to decide for ourselves what constitutes failure, but the world is quite eager to give you a set of criteria if you let it. So I think it fair to say that by any conventional measure, a mere seven years after my graduation day, I had failed on an epic scale. An exceptionally short-lived marriage had imploded, and I was jobless, a lone parent, and as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless. The fears that my parents had had for me, and that I had had for myself had both come to pass, and by every usual standard, I was the biggest failure I knew.”

J.K. Rowling is a well-known name in almost every household, but there was a time when that was not the case. Before she achieved success with her Harry Potter books, she was rejected by several publishers and was in a bad state financially.

Facing bankruptcy and constant rejection, it would have been easier for her to give up, but she carried on. She didn’t let her failures stop her. She used them to push her closer to success. 

You can find the text of her speech published in the Harvard Gazette.

#3: Will Smith in Pursuit of Happyness

“Don’t ever let somebody tell you you can’t do something—not even me. You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you that you can’t do it. You want something? Go get it. Period.”

In this moving scene from the movie “Pursuit of Happyness,” Will Smith tells his son he can do anything. Smith plays a real-life character, a single father who is struggling to take care of his son throughout overwhelming adversity. 

While playing basketball, Chris—played by Will Smith—finds himself doling out some harsh criticism to his son, but he quickly recovers. After seeing the discouraged look on his son’s face, he used his harsh words to deliver a motivational speech to his son that included admitting he was wrong for what he had previously said.

#4: Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech

“And 17 years later, I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents’ savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn’t see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was, spending all the money my parents had saved their entire life. So, I decided to drop out and trust that it was all going to work out ok. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out, I could stop taking the required classes that didn’t interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked far more interesting.”

Steve Jobs gave this speech in 2005 during the Stanford Commencement Address. He goes on to discuss how he fell in love with calligraphy by dropping in on a class teaching it. That one class is what later inspired him to develop typography and incorporate it into the Mac. 

#5: Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday

“I don’t know what to say really. Three minutes till the biggest battle in our professional lives, and it all comes down to today. Either we heal, as a team, or we’re gonna crumble. Inch by inch, play by play, till we’re finished. We’re in hell right now, gentlemen—believe me. And, we can stay here and get the s_____ kicked out of us, or, we can fight our way back.”

 Al Pacino delivers this inspiration speech in the movie “Any Given Sunday.” In this movie, the main character DAmato—played by Al Pacino—is trying to motivate the players on his football team to work together to win their game after they had suffered from three back-to-back losses.

#6: Sheryl Sandberg at Harvard University

“It used to be that in order to reach more people than you could talk to in a day, you had to be rich and famous and powerful, be a celebrity, a politician, a CEO, but that’s not true today. 

Now ordinary people have a voice, not just those of us lucky to go to HBS, but anyone with access to Facebook,  Twitter , a mobile phone. This is disrupting traditional power structures and leveling traditional hierarchy.

Voice and power are shifting from institutions to individuals, from the historically powerful to the historically powerless, and all of this is happening so much faster than I could have imagined when I was sitting where you are today, and Mark Zuckerberg was 11 years old.”

Sheryl Sandberg speaks to the Harvard graduating class of 2012 and tells her story of how she struggled to get on track with her career in the Silicon Valley back in 2001.

She explains how the timing was terrible because the bubble had crashed, and companies were laying people off. Sheryl goes on to explain how she overcame the challenges to get to where she is today.

#7: Richard St. John’s Motivation TED Talk

“And it all started one day on a plane, on my way to TED, seven years ago. And in the seat next to me was a high school student, a teenager, and she came from a really poor family. And she wanted to make something of her life, and she asked me a simple little question. She said, “What leads to success?” And I felt really badly because I couldn’t give her a good answer. So, I get off the plane and I come to TED, and I think, “Jeez, I’m in the middle of a room of successful people, so why don’t I ask them what helped them succeed, and pass it on to kids?”

Richard St. John ​ delivered this speech as his TED talk. The video was published to TED’s YouTube channel on January 6, 2007, and it’s gotten over 2.5 million views. In this video, he provides his secrets of success in 8 words, in 3 minutes.

#8: Gary Vaynerchuck’s Hustle

“So, first of all, it’s different for everyone, but this whole notion of like, “where’s the time?” I just think people are loaded with excuses. I think that the vainer nation thinks they’re hustling, and straight to your face, I think 99.9% of you are not. Everybody has time, stop watching f_____ Lost…”

Gary Vaynerchuck’s Video “The Most Important Word Ever” stresses how important it is to utilize every single minute of your day to reach your goals by keeping up the hustle and never giving up.

Are You Feeling Motivated and Inspired Yet?

I hope you found these speeches as motivating as I did and that you’re ready to start your new venture with a renewed sense of energy and focus.

Just know that going forward, anything is possible when you set your mind on something, and you go after it with no excuses and a determination to succeed. 

Don’t let failures hold you back. Failures help to propel you forward and put you on the right path by showing you the wrong one.

At Sparkitive, we know just how important having a well-thought-out and proven plan is to the success of your new service-based business.

That’s why we created a free guide that gives you the gift of a step-by-step plan you can follow to generate new leads and turn them into long-term, loyal clients.

Get your free copy of our guide now: Fast Track Your Business: The 5-Step Marketing Plan for Professional Services Firms .

As a professional services provider, your billable time is valuable. You don't want to waste it on bad marketing tactics that won't yield the results you're looking for.

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10 Great Motivational Speech Topics to Address Entrepreneurs

By Jesse Long

Published on: September 23, 2021

There are many motivational speech topics that are relevant to entrepreneurs

These professionals need to find ways to stay motivated every day , and they are constantly looking for ways to improve how they run their businesses and manage their employees.

So much of running a successful business is in having the confidence, drive, and motivation to keep going. Days can be long, and it takes time to become successful. When you speak to a crowd of entrepreneurs, they are looking for inspiration and techniques that will help them maintain their focus.

Take a look at the following 10 topics you can use when speaking to entrepreneurs .

Table of Contents

1. Rejection Is a Stepping Stone to Success

Rejection happens to everyone, and it hurts. It can create incredible feelings of insecurity and can make you want to give up.

It is important for entrepreneurs to embrace rejection and see it as a stepping stone on the way to success.

The key for entrepreneurs is to use those rejections to push themselves forward.

When you use this topic to speak to entrepreneurs, tell them that two-thirds of startups are able to last for a year. Those who make it face rejections and keep going, knowing that each rejection brings them one step closer to success.

At the end of the day, learning to face rejection and grow from it is what separates the strong from the weak.

This is an important topic because so many people struggle with rejection.

Most businesses require sales of products or services, and many entrepreneurs need to find customers when they first start out.

If they don’t put themselves out there, they won’t find clients, but if they do, they will surely face some level of rejection.

2. If You Don’t Try, You Can’t Win

Sometimes people are afraid of failure, so they never try to follow their dreams. You can turn this around and say that if you don’t try, you can’t win.

You can motivate entrepreneurs to try new ideas, keep going, and reach for the top in their fields.

When entrepreneurs start a business, they will experience failures along the way. The key is to stay motivated and keep trying.

The experiences along the way will teach lessons and lead them in new directions, and they need to be ready to embrace perceived failures as lessons learned and try again to reach their goals.

3. How to Set Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals is important in every business, and entrepreneurs can benefit from speeches that teach them how to do it.

When you break it down into simple tasks, they will leave your talk with renewed confidence, ready to take action.

Setting goals is critical to any business endeavor, and some people need guidance or a fresh perspective.

Goals should have value, and they should be written out.

One way to teach goal setting is to focus on S.M.A.R.T. goals . This stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.

Setting these kinds of goals will pave the way to success.

4. The Importance of Teamwork

Nobody can function as an island, and when someone is an entrepreneur, they can have difficulty delegating.

However, they need to build a team  around them that works for the common goal of success. You can speak to entrepreneurs about strategies to develop healthy and reliable employee relationships.

No matter how great one person’s ideas may be, teamwork and collaboration provide more perspectives and ideas.

When it comes to business, entrepreneurs need to build and develop teams of people. They may want to engage in team-building activities to motivate everyone in the company.

There is a lot of material here that is beneficial to entrepreneurs.

5. How to Be an Effective Leader

Being an effective leader is critical to success as an entrepreneur. You can give a motivational speech that outlines what it takes.

Entrepreneurs are coming to hear a speech so that they can return to work with fresh ideas and a successful way of thinking.

You can outline specific points, such as leading by example, setting clear goals, and encouraging teamwork. You can talk about the power of positivity and good communication.

These and more are all steps to take to effectively lead. These entrepreneurs are looking to you to motivate and inspire them, and these are skills that they can use.

6. Dealing with Difficult People in Business

No matter what line of work entrepreneurs are in, they will have to deal with difficult people. This can include employees, customers, vendors, and sometimes family members as well.

It takes skill to deal with difficult people. You can give a talk that motivates entrepreneurs by explaining the types of difficult people they will run into and how to handle them.

When you give a motivational talk about how to handle difficult people. The entrepreneurs in the room will realize that this is a common occurrence and they aren’t alone.

They will feel empowered and ready to handle these people more effectively. Knowing that everyone experiences this difficulty on some level helps them to feel that they are not alone.

7. Overcoming Job Stress

Running a business has its stressful moments, and entrepreneurs need to learn how to get through them and overcome the stress.

The demands of clients, employees, family, and more can get to them from time to time. You can teach them steps to handle and overcome these stressors without spending so much time worrying.

Entrepreneurs hit the ground running every morning, and they often work late into the night. It can be easy for them to lose sight of some of the important things in life that reduce stress.

Eating well, exercising, and making time for family are all things to discuss. When you share these techniques with them, they will leave feeling motivated and ready to implement these new strategies.

8. Strategies for Focusing at Work

Sometimes entrepreneurs go into overdrive, and they lose their focus. They may also be dealing with employees who are unfocused. Focus is important, and all entrepreneurs are looking for ways to improve in this area.

They deal with online distractions, employees, customers, suppliers, and more, and it is important to learn how to focus in a way that maximizes productivity.

When you speak to entrepreneurs about effective strategies for focusing, you can cover topics such as creating a clutter-free space, getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking time away from the office.

No matter how you design your speech, the subject matter will be beneficial and will help entrepreneurs improve their life at work.

9. How to Handle Mistakes at Work

When an employee makes a critical mistake, it can be extremely difficult to handle.

Getting angry and showing your feelings may be the common reaction, but it doesn’t solve the problem.

You can point out that the goal is to fix the problem and prevent the mistake from happening again in the future. You can outline simple steps to take when there are mistakes at work.

If you provide entrepreneurs with specific strategies to handle these mistakes, they will be motivated to get back to work and implement this new policy.

Entrepreneurs are coming to you for inspiration and motivation, and this is an effective topic. It can be difficult to handle employees who make mistakes because the consequences can be serious.

The key is to teach entrepreneurs how to stay focused on the end goal of fixing the mistake and preventing it from happening again in the future.

10. How to Dream Big

Sometimes you will speak to entrepreneurs who know how to run a business, but they don’t know how to grow. They don’t know how to push past their perceived limits and reach higher.

This is a great topic, and you can teach them how to make it happen. It all starts with dreaming big and making those dreams a reality.

You can motivate entrepreneurs with stories of Henry Ford or Elon Musk. Then, proceed to teach them how to put their own dreams in motion. Explain the two things that get in the way of dreams: self doubt and fear.

When you give a talk on how to dream big, entrepreneurs can gain valuable inspiration to apply these techniques to their own lives.

Entrepreneurs range from individuals who have a two-person business to those who run large companies. When they experience the same things day in and day out, they may come to you for motivation.

You can inspire them by finding topics that are relatable and can benefit everyone, no matter what size of business they run.

When you give motivational speeches to entrepreneurs, they are looking for ways to improve their business techniques. They are looking for ways to handle their employees, stay motivated, and overcome negativity. You have a real opportunity to use these topics to that end.

The important thing is to choose subject matter that your audience can relate to, as well as lessons they can take away and strategies they can implement.

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4 Inspiring Entrepreneurial Speeches You Need to Know About

I had a dream…..

Martin Luther, Churchill, JFK – all were able to deliver speeches that inspired millions to take action.

Public speaking is something I’m passionate about and when delivered correctly, can motivate and inspire you to take action, and do those extra sales calls/lines of code/hours in the office – even when your morale is low.

In this post I list four speeches that I keep going back to when I’m looking for motivation and inspiration.

Some you may already know some of these, and some are hopefully is a first time for you. Either way – all are guaranteed to inspire. This is a short post, as I’ll leave the talking to the men and women in the speeches below

Neil Gaimen – Addresses the University of the Arts

Because sometime it’s hard to remember to enjoy the ride

Eric Thomas – Secrets to Success 

FOr pure motivation, nothing beats Eric Thomas’s famed speech. He gave it in a classroom but I like this version someone did with an athlete training even more.

JK Rowling – Harvard Commencement

One of the most powerful speeches on failure out there(particularly the first half of the speech).

Steve Job’s Stanford Commencement Speech

One speech that probably needs no introduction. Essential listening for all. Stay foolish…

Your Turn: Which of these speeches did you enjoy? Are there any other inspiration speeches we should know about? Please share them in the comments below

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Best Motivational Speeches About Life And Entrepreneurship

• December 17, 2021

Samwel Dollah

• Dropshipping

Do you want to be successful in life? Do you have the drive and ambition of an entrepreneur ? 

If so, then these 13 motivational speeches for entrepreneurs will give you just that, Listen or watch any one (or all!) of them today!

In This Article

• Jim Carrey- Maharishi Unversity Commencement Motivational Speech

Sheryl Sandberg: Harvard Business School Motivational Speech

Elon musk – usc commencement motivational speech.

• Matthew McConaughey – University of Houston Speech
• Arnold Schwarzenegger – Famous Motivational Speech
• Steve Jobs- 2005 Staford Commencement Speech
• Ed Shereen Being Weird Is a Wonderful
• Richard StJohn 8 Secrets of Success
• Denzel Washington – Fall Forward
• Sylvester Stallone- Balboa Speech
• Will Smith – Pursuit of Happiness
• Eric Thomas I Can, I WII, I Must

AI Pacino- Any Given Sunday

Who wouldn’t benefit from hearing some of the best motivational speeches for entrepreneurs?

It can be tricky to do business, but fraud can be pretty brutal at times.

Indeed, we are all on a journey, and we have all had periods of disillusionment, questioning whether what we are doing is truly worthwhile.

You’re probably not persuaded that what we’re doing has a profound impact.

However, we must remain on the path of progress. Fortunately, this is a lesson that I learned very early in life.

I recall being around four years old and learning to ride a bike with my uncle and father, who were both quite supportive of me.

While learning to cycle, I fell, of course, fall off on several occasions, and I recall one time in which I cut my knee very seriously.

The only thing I wanted to do was give up and return home at that point. “You can’t give up now since you’re almost there,” my relatives insisted. Take another shot at it. “

Perhaps something has been said to you in the past.

After that, I hopped back on my bike. No matter how much I didn’t want to, you have no choice but to push forward and face your issues head-on.

It was, in fact, the first time I rode that bike without the assistance of another person.

Then I realized how fortunate I had been to keep going and never give up hope.

That probably wasn’t the motivational speech you were expecting when you clicked on this page, but it is proof that we can do far more than we believe ourselves to be capable of when others inspire us.

And that is precisely why we wrote this piece-to create a list of all of our best motivational speeches, given we are well aware of how much more you can achieve with a bit more inspiration.

Let’s get right to it!

Jim Carrey: Maharishi University Commencement Motivational Speech

Jim Carrey’s graduating speech at the Maharishi University of Management is brimming with so much knowledge that it’s tough to choose which parts to focus on.

Jim’s comment that “fear” will always play a significant role in our lives was perhaps the most crucial for entrepreneurs and business leaders. But, as Jim points out, “you get to decide how much.” He says you can either live your life in fear or follow your heart.

According to Jim’s assessment, most people choose their career because they fear it. Instead, they stick to what is comfortable and simple because they are frightened of posing the question, “What if?”. But Carrey believes that the only way to live truly is to ask the universe for whatever you want.

During his speech, Jim Carrey encourages his audience to “risk being seen in all of your glory.” He asserts that our duty is not to figure out how to achieve success but instead to “open the door in your head” and go over it when the time is perfect.

After delivering a speech at the Harvard Business School in 2012, Sheryl Sandberg, an American entrepreneur, technology executive, author, and current Chief Operating Officer of Facebook (COO), became the latest addition to our list of the best motivational speeches.

Sandberg discusses her own experiences as an entrepreneur and her work at Facebook alongside Mark Zuckerberg, but she also brings up an important point. The importance of this is something that we should all take note of.

“Motivation arises from working on things that we care about.”

Entrepreneurship is a case in point: people running firms and working to solve problems that interest them are more likely to succeed than those who are not.

And, according to Sandberg, we must continue to work since it is the most important thing of all.

This is one of the most inspiring motivational speeches for students that we have ever witnessed.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Motivational Speech is well-known.

THIS list of the most famous motivational speeches for entrepreneurs continues with Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-American actor, entrepreneur, politician, and former Mr. Olympia champion.

He begins his motivational speech with a simple yet profound message.

“Put in the work to earn your keep.”

Schwarzenegger explains how having a goal was crucial for succeeding in various professions during his career.

The actor also talks about the fact that “just a quarter of people enjoy what they are doing with their lives.”

Schwarzenegger held a related point of view because everyone should be continually working to move closer to their ultimate objective and make the most of every hour of every day.

“Suppose you spend an hour every day of the week working on a business. Imagine how much further along you would be if you didn’t have to stop. “

This is possibly the essential point to take away from this motivational speech — it is up to us to make the most of our short time on this planet! Furthermore, we believe that it is one of the best motivational speeches of all time because of its message, which everyone can understand.

The University of Houston Speech by Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey’s commencement speech at the University of Houston is the next speaker on our list of motivational speeches.

The Oscar-winning actor made some important points during his speech, but the one that stood out to me was his statement that joy is a “continuous approach.”

McConaughey said: “Joy is always a process; it’s always under construction.”

He shared his thoughts on judging his success based on metrics that he believed were essential to him, such as the number of Academy Awards he had received or his films’ amount of money.

The only time he had true success in those metrics was when he resolved to focus on the entire process of making a film and to enjoy every aspect of it.

It turned out that when he took things one step at a time and truly enjoyed his craft, he discovered that everything just fell into place.

“Define success for yourself.”

Identify your goals and take pleasure in the entire journey-not only the high points but also the lows.

Matthew McConaughey’s performance became one of the best motivational speeches delivered in the last few years.

Numerous people worldwide look up to Elon Musk as a source of inspiration. Musk, well-known for his out-of-the-box thinking and forward-thinking technologies, demonstrates that everything is possible if we put our minds to it.

Elon instantly exhibits his propensity to deviate from the existing quo in his motivational speech at the University of Southern California Commencement. In his words, he was told to limit himself to three items that he wanted to highlight, but he decided to include a total of four.

He advises his audience that they must put in the same effort they expect to receive in return for their efforts. “Elon holds that if you want a great company, you need a great team.”

Elon’s authenticity makes his speech so powerful—being fortunate or trusting your instincts aren’t topics he discusses. Instead, musk claims that tremendous things may be achieved with an equally astronomical level of work and dedication.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recognizes the importance of outstanding employees. Elon thinks that if you want a great company, you need a fantastic team and that great people are the most important part of a great company.

Musk’s third recommendation is to “focus on signal over noise,” In other words, focus on developments to make the product better, “don’t just follow the trend.”

The final area of advice from Elon’s speech is to “Take risks.” Grab new opportunities and pursue different things.

Steve Jobs – 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech

On this list of the best motivational speeches of all time, we have Steve Jobs, one of the primary figures behind the success of the technology giant Apple.

He delves deeply into his journey as an entrepreneur in his 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University. He speaks candidly about the difficulties he’s had along the way and how he’s managed to overcome those difficulties.

Jobs discusses how he was a college dropout during this great motivational speech and how it was one of the most crucial moments of his life at that moment.

It was noted that he had dropped out of college to pursue classes in subjects that he was interested in, rather than studying subjects that he was not particularly enthusiastic about or interested in.

His calligraphy class was one he enrolled in after he dropped out and was drawn to it because of the exceptional quality of the handwriting.

He chooses to use Apple fonts that may appear strange to some, but he connects the experience he gained from that class with the fonts he uses on his Apple computers.

In the absence of the calligraphy lesson, Jobs might not have been concerned with an inconsequential element as fonts. Yet, Apple was the first business to add a variety of typefaces to the operating systems.

He proceeds to say: “You can’t connect the dots if you look forward; you can only do it looking backward. Thus, you need to keep moving forward and hope that the dots align somehow. “

We are constantly learning is the central premise of this classic motivational speech. We’re constantly evolving and gaining new information. Everything about us is determined by what we do with our information.

As Jobs put it: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”

Ed Shereen:  Being Weird is a Wonderful Thing.

Perhaps Ed Sheeran isn’t the first person that comes to mind when thinking of the world’s most influential thinkers. But, on the other hand, his music and words continue to move millions of people daily.

Sheeran spoke at the 9th Annual American Institute for Stuttering Benefit Gala about how Eminem assisted him in overcoming his speech problem.

A birthmark on his face, large glasses, & a missing eardrum on one side of his head characterize Sheeran’s childhood, which he regards as “a very, very weird child.” He argues that “stuttering was actually the least of my problems when I went to school,” yet he still found it exceedingly difficult to communicate effectively with others.

Sheeran admits that his greatest fear has been his incapability to communicate himself correctly with his stutter. But when his father bought him an Eminem CD when he was younger, he was overjoyed and couldn’t stop smiling. Listening to it assisted him in learning how to talk quickly and successfully overcome his stutter.

Ed’s thoughts are a terrific source of inspiration for entrepreneurs who are learning how to deal with the stress of public speaking and who are striving to believe in their capabilities.

Ed is now opinion that “being weird is a wonderful thing.” He urges us to “embrace yourself, embrace your eccentricities, and embrace your quirkiness.”

Richard St.John: 8 Secrets of Success

Following that, we have the infamous TED presentation by Richard St.John, which is likewise one of the shortest motivational speeches we have ever seen. Still, it is also one of the most impactful.

As St.John explains at the start of the video, this presentation is a shortened version of 7 years of research-including research from more than five hundred interviews with successful professionals.

When it comes to success, one of the most interesting arguments St.John makes is that to be successful, you must be willing to “put your nose down in something and get damn good at it.”

In St. John’s speech, the section on passion was the most motivational for us when he talks about passion.

He believed that “if you do what you love, the money will come later.”

Entrepreneurs need to pay attention to this area of motivational speech. If you establish a brand, make every effort possible to invest in it. Intense devotion to the cause will significantly assist you in finding long-term success.

Having a passion for what you do is essential for achieving success!

Eric Thomas: I Can, I Will, I Must

We are encouraged to think that we will always overcome hardship, no matter how difficult the situation appears to be, by Eric Thomas in this famous motivational speech.

Throughout the speech, Thomas repeats the following line: “I can get through this. I will get through this. I must get through this. “The situation will be remedied. My only hope is that I can get through this. “

As a source of inspiration for this motivational speech, he also ingeniously draws on the support of our loved ones.

He pushes us to examine our relationships with the three people we care about the most and question our own motivation decisions.

“You’ve got to think about those people every day,” says Eric.

“You know those days when you want to hit the snooze button? I know I do. “

Instead of being lazy and complacent, we should think about our loved ones and ask ourselves what they would feel if we were postponing all of the time and putting off important tasks.

Doing anything for yourself is perfectly OK, but knowing that you’ve loved something to make your family and friends happy makes everything feel like a tenfold improvement. According to this motivational speech, one of the most important statements is

Because of this, he is considered one of the greatest motivational speeches of all time. As a result, you no longer have to worry about working for yourself and instead concentrate on doing the work for those you couldn’t stand to disappoint.

Denzel Washington – Fall Forward

“You will fail at something. Embrace it. “

In the next entry on our list of the best motivational speeches, Denzel Washington addresses the topic of failure.

On the other hand, Washington does not shy away from failure; he wants it.

According to him, “every failed experiment brings us one step closer to a successful experiment.”

When it comes to entrepreneurship, this is undoubtedly true. Even when you lose, you can take away valuable lessons from experience.

Although winning or losing is necessary, it isn’t always the most crucial factor. So get out there and give it everything you’ve got. That’s what it takes. We consider it to be one of the best motivational speeches in life.

“Never be discouraged. Never hold back. & when you fall in life, don’t forget this: fall forward. “

Sylvester Stallone – Balboa Speech

A famous character, Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, is best known for his courage, hard work, and drive. Rocky Balboa is a character who has inspired many people through his films.

In the sixth installment in the Rocky film series, Rocky Balboa has Stallone delivering one powerful motivational speech.

In the opening lines of his motivational speech, Stallone declares, “The world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.”

He goes on to discuss the importance of hard work and dedication, emphasizing that “it isn’t about how hard you hit, rather it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” He concludes by saying that “it isn’t about how hard you hit, but it’s about how hard you can get hit & keep moving forward.”

As an entrepreneur, this motivational speech is particularly poignant for me to hear. While you are on your journey to success, you will face obstacles. However, as Sylvester Stallone says, it is all about “how much you can take and keep moving forward. That is how winning is accomplished. “

Remember that winners never give up when you find themselves with your back against the wall.

This is one of the most well-known motivational speeches in history. In motivational speech mashup videos on YouTube and even on Spotify, you’ll often hear it played as a background track.

Will Smith – Pursuit of Happiness.

This famous motivational speech from the 2006 film, Pursuit of Happiness includes Will Smith and his son, who play basketball. It is considered to be one of the best motivational speeches ever delivered.

A basketball is shown being tossed around at the beginning of the video, and Smith’s son (his real-life son, Jaden Smith) can be heard declaring, “I’m going pro!” “

After hearing this, Smith chooses to lower his son’s expectations by pointing out that he has never been very good at basketball and that his son should not expect to be as good.

Smith notes that his son appears to be dissatisfied with the statement.

After that, Smith declares, “don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything, not even myself.”

“You’ve got a dream; you gotta protect it. If you want something, get it. Period. “

This is a one-of-a-kind motivational speech. You can see how this moment depicts the dynamic between Will and Jaden Smith’s own family, although they are both in the acting business.

In our opinion, it’s one of the best motivational speeches of all time, despite being a brief motivational speech.

The final entry item on our list is Al Pacino’s speech from the American football thriller Any Given Sunday.

If you want to get your blood pumping before you face a rough day, watch this famous motivational speech by Martin Luther King Jr.

Although we tend to neglect inches in American football, the motivational speech centers on the fact that they are essential.

The numerous ways that his squad can gain an advantage over their opponents, even if it is only by an inch at a time, are discussed in detail.

He asserts: “When we add up all those […] inches, that’s what makes the difference between winning and losing”.

In addition to applying to success, this point is valid in life: those who go the extra mile are more likely than not to succeed.

Moreover, although you may not be aware of it initially, as Pacino points out, triumph is achieved by adding up all minor details.

These types of motivational speeches might help you get back on track when you’re down and out.

The Gist of it!

These are the top ten motivational speeches for business entrepreneurs.

That was a lot of motivation, so we hope you enjoyed it! We want to draw attention to several crucial aspects throughout these motivational speeches.

It is critical that you love what you do . Put your money where your mouth is! Attend to your surroundings. In addition, strive to be your best.

Not all failures are detrimental . It has the potential to lead to great things if you learn from your mistakes and move on.

A strong desire is necessary . Like many other aspects of life, being an entrepreneur may be challenging. Want it badly enough to risk your life? As proof, show me.

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Conclusion 

The best motivational speeches for entrepreneurs are often the ones that speak to your specific needs. For example, if you’re a small business owner who is just starting and struggling with cash flow issues, then watching an inspirational speech about kickstarting your finances might be just what you need at this moment in time.

That’s all I’ve got for you today. Thanks for reading. Is there anything on this list that you think I’ve missed? Specify your preference in the comments box — Let us know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below! I read every single one of them.

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Innovation Videos | Online Innovation Talks

Innovation Speech: Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation

Innovation Speech: Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation by Josh Linkner. (Tech Entrepreneur, Author, Innovation & Creativity Expert, Keynote Speaker:) http://www.bigspeak.com/josh-linkner.html Josh Linkner is on a mission to help the world unleash its creative mojo. The five-time successful tech entrepreneur and CEO/Managing Partner of a Detroit Venture firm delivers a clear call to action – it’s better to disrupt your organization before your competition does. The riskiest move companies can make today is hugging the status quo – believing the future will be like the past is the fast road to obsolescence.

Linkner’s first book, Disciplined Dreaming — A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity, outlines his prescription for business success. A New York Times bestseller, it was named one of 2011’s top ten business titles by Amazon.com.

Josh Linkner is also founder and former CEO of ePrize, the world’s largest interactive promotion agency which provides digital marketing services for 74 of the top 100 brands. Prior to ePrize, he was founder/CEO of three other successful technology companies. Each of his four startups enjoyed successful exits with a combined value of over $200 million.

Learning to systematically jump-start the creative energy of individuals at all levels of the organization is essential to finding new routes to growth, profitability and innovation. Josh Linkner shows how to do it with clear and actionable insights that are based on his own experience and lessons from some of the world’s best-known brands.

Josh Linkner is a creative force — an out-of-the-box thinker whose approach to business was forged in disruptive times. He is an entrepreneur and a respected working jazz guitarist — a combination that accounts for his unique way of listening to business and the marketplace. Improvisation is in his blood — a venture capitalist that lives in the world of possibility.

He has been on the board of over 40 companies, raised over $100 million of venture capital, employed thousands of people and fought through the dot-com crash, 9/11 and the 2008 financial meltdown. His extraordinary business accomplishments led him to be honored as the Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” and as a President Barack Obama “Champion of Change” Award recipient.

More About Speaker, Josh Linkner. . . Josh Linkner is a regular contributor to Forbes and Inc. magazines. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times and he is a weekly columnist for the Detroit Free Press.

Josh inspires people with powerful, fun and practical techniques. He ignites immediate and profound results and will show how to unleash hidden creativity and fresh thinking in every setting — from weekly staff meetings to major innovation sessions to new product breakthroughs. Organizations learn to tap into a deep well of inspiration and new ideas — any one of which lead to dramatic outcomes to leadership, innovation and performance. People come alive as they engage their curiosity and wonder — what seemed ordinary becomes an opportunity for new discoveries

To hire Josh Linkner to speak at your next event, contact BigSpeak Speakers Bureau. http://www.bigspeak.com/josh-linkner.html

After you’ve watched an innovation video what can you do next? How can you apply what you’ve learned or been inspired to do…and keep learning and being inspired? You can watch more videos or read more on the topic but consider this. We learn most through reflective action, through applying the knowledge we’ve gained, through experiencing and making it real for use. What can you do or take action on?

This Innovation Videos website is a resources to help you stay fresh, on the cutting edge, and up to date with your own learning and personal and professional development. The ability and skill to innovate is becoming more important than ever due to the rapid pace of change in our world. You may not have had a class on “innovation” in school or at your work so it is up to you to gain the knowledge, attitude, mindset, and skill that will allow you to adapt and respond to change with innovation. A first step is to read or watch videos on this site to get inspired and learn ways you can be more innovative. Then, take what you are learning and apply it to your own life and work. Take on an innovative project to create and develop something new that can have an impact, something you may not have ever done before. Perhaps you will get an idea from an innovation video on our site.

After learning on your own look to be a part of a leadership program, workshop, course, or seminar. Join a group or even create a startup with some partners. Involve other people in learning and doing innovation with you. Keep reading and keep listening because there is always opportunity to learn new methods since new technologies are being introduced all the time. When you are just working on your computer, have a video playing to listen and learn. See if you can watch (or at least listen to) a different innovation video everyday to keep developing your knowledge base and leadership skills. But remember…you will need to do something. Take action!

Innovation Videos to Develop your Knowledge to Innovate

5 Entrepreneurial Lessons From Inspirational Commencement Speeches

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Before the handshake, the diploma exchange, the turning of tassels, or the tossing of caps, this year’s crop of college graduates will experience a treasured tradition: inspirational commencement speeches.

The speech serves as a last lesson of sorts for students; parting words of wisdom and advice, often from some of the most successful people in the country (or, in many cases, the world).

Though commencement speakers are addressing graduates, the anecdotes, lessons, and stories contained within the speeches are applicable to all audiences—from the parents sitting in the crowd to the viewers watching commencement speech clips on YouTube years later.

Some of the most inspirational commencement speeches are rich with advice particularly helpful for entrepreneurs. Reflections on failure, building a career, choosing an untraditional path, finding yourself, changing the world—they’re stories of and for entrepreneurs of all kinds.

Be Entrepreneurial

Remember: if the most unique ideas were obvious to everyone, there wouldn’t be entrepreneurs. The one thing that every entrepreneurial journey has in common is that there are many, many steps on the road to success. –  Tory Burch, Babson College, 2014

Don’t let other people box you into their system of rules. They will tend to produce mediocre results for you. Make your own rules, hack the system and change the world. –  Wayne Chang, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 2016

What are the tools and the mindset for the flexibility and adaptability of the new jungle gym and the career playground? Entrepreneurship! Everyone needs to think like an entrepreneur—even if still only a few will be starting new businesses. –  Reid Hoffman, Babson College, 2012

Love What You Do

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” —  Steve Jobs, Stanford University, 2005

“Build a résumé that doesn’t simply tell a story about what you want to be but it’s a story about who you want to be. It’s a résumé that doesn’t just tell a story about what you want to accomplish but why. A story that’s not just a collection of titles and positions but a story that’s really about your purpose.” —  Oprah Winfrey, Harvard University, 2013

“Now is the time to consider all the infinite possibilities with introspection, deliberation and thoughtfulness. Visualize the road ahead. Think about what excites you, what really gets your engine going. Engage in some real soul searching. Take a good, hard look at your strengths and weaknesses. A fulfilling professional life can be found at the intersection of what you love and what you’re good at. And when you think you’ve discovered it, go at it full throttle.” — Katie Couric, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015

Your Plans May Change

“As many of you think about the future, remember it’s okay to have your definition of entrepreneurship change. In fact, prepare to have your definition of your goals and desires changed. Prepare for yourself to change. Because, if you can’t imagine a world different from the one you see today, you will never be able to build a better one.” —  Kevin Colleran, Babson College, 2015

“Don’t plan too much, and don’t expect a direct climb. If I had mapped out my career when I was sitting where you are, I would have missed my career.” —  Sheryl Sandberg, Harvard Business School, 2012

“Let life surprise you. Don’t have a plan. Plans are for wusses. If my life went according to my plan, I would never ever have the life I have today. You are obviously good planners, or you wouldn’t be here. Stop it! Stop it now! Don’t deprive yourself of the exciting journey your life can be when you relinquish the need to have goals and a blueprint.” — Jane Lynch, Smith College, 2012

Learn from Failure

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail by default.” —  J.K. Rowling, Harvard University, 2008

“Know that compromise is rooted in strength, not weakness. You’ll have ups and downs. How you handle the downs will build character. How you handle the ups will tell the world a lot about who you are.” —  Beth Brooke-Marciniak, Babson College, 2016

“The world doesn’t care how many times you fall down, as long as it’s one fewer than the number of times you get back up.” —  Aaron Sorkin, Syracuse University, 2012

Yes, You Can Change the World

“To really make change, we must have courage: the courage to imagine something new, the courage to act, and the courage to persist through setbacks.” —  Patrick Awuah Jr., Babson College, 2013

“You have a lot of work to do. You are the leaders of tomorrow, and it will be your job to pick up the baton so often mishandled by the leaders of today.” —  Madeline Albright, Wellesley College, 2007

“Each one of you has the power to change the entire world. Changing the world is not a big deal. It’s a question of are you interested? If you are, you can make it.” —  Muhammad Yunus, Babson College, 2016

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5 Inspiring Elevator Pitch Examples for Entrepreneurs

• Written By Lindsay Tigar
• Updated: March 6, 2024

Picture your No. 1 dream mentor or investor who you admire. If you were stuck in an elevator with them and only had a second to get them on board with your company, what would you say?

If your mind blanked, that’s okay! That’s why we’re here.

In this guide, we’re going to focus on an area of your business that’s worth some special focus and attention – the elevator pitch! We’ll give you an outline to create your own elevator pitch as well as offer five templates you can use. By the end of this, you’ll be looking forward to getting in that metaphorical elevator and wowing that dream investor.

Your Elevator Pitch Outline

Though everyone will approach their entrepreneur-themed elevator speech differently, most include the following:

• A brief history of your background. Don’t go overboard here! You want to keep it light while positioning yourself as a leader.
• Your company and what you do, make, or offer. Again, air on the brief side rather than to give too many details.
• How your brand is different. To break through the noise, you need to stand out — and this sentence is where you do it. Consider using data and/or accolades here.
• Your goal with the conversation. Not all elevator pitches serve the same purpose. Sometimes, you’re hoping to bring on a new hire, and other times, you’re attracting an investor or client. Regardless, the pitch should end with the proposed next steps.

This outline is a solid way to begin brainstorming your entrepreneurial elevator speech. Consider practicing in front of the mirror or with a friend or partner to brush up on your skills as you start workshopping your speech. The more reps you get in, the more comfortable you’ll feel.

5 Elevator Pitch Template for Entrepreneurs

From ones that get to the point ASAP to ones that expand on the details and grab your attention, there are many ways to phrase your elevator pitch speech.

Here, are some examples to supercharge your elevator pitch creativity so you can craft something that hits the mark.

1. To ignite interest

“Hi, my name is [NAME] and my company [name of your company] develops and designs personalized online sales funnels [what your company does]. That means two things: one, online customers enjoy a flawless user experience tailored to their needs and interests, and two: our clients get automated solutions that dramatically boost sales [unique business proposition]. We helped our last client increase online revenue by 120 percent month-over-month [hard numbers behind your results]. Does your company have any experience with e-commerce automation? [engaging question]”

Why it works : This ignites interest because it presents the hard facts and then follows them up with numbers that move the needle.

2. To gain customers

“I’m [NAME], and I am the owner of and wardrobe stylist at The Style Foundry [name of your company]. We are a full-service wardrobe styling business that helps you take the stress out of getting dressed through our styling services. A typical customer cycle starts with a Closet Cleanse, where I clean out your closet, tell you what to keep and get rid of, take pictures of all of the yeses and then upload them to an app/website where I mix and match them into over 100 different outfits from what you already own. From there, I am able to really see what’s missing and what you need. We can tackle that by personal shopping, which is done in-person at your favorite stores or ones I suggest; virtual shopping, which is done online (I send you my finds, you buy what you like, and then when all of the items arrive at your house, I come in for a fitting); or through our mobile boutique, which we can pull up in your driveway and fill it with our pieces that best fit your style and shopping list. It’s the best of online and boutique shopping.”

Why it works : If you’re someone who needs this particular service, this elevator pitch  is equal parts convincing and captivating. You have all of the info — and your interest is sparked.

3. To attract investors

“Has this ever happened to you? You’re rushing to get the kids out the door in the morning so you can get them to school on time and not be late for an important meeting — and then you realize that you can’t find your car keys. This happens all the time to me. In fact, did you know that the average suburban professional misplaces their keys more than five times per month? That’s more than 600 million times per year! Using bluetooth technology, I’ve created a low cost key fob that helps people find their keys and other lost items in record time, making it easier to get out the door on busy mornings. We’ve got a working prototype and now we’re looking to raise funds to go into large-scale production. We’ve got some new team members on board with extensive manufacturing experience and supply chain expertise, so we’re hoping to get to market in the next six months.”

Why it works : The only thing missing is the name introduction — but with this landslide of info, it’s easy to see why investors would want to learn more. Not only is this elevator pitch transparent in terms of where the company is right now, but it has an air of confidence , too.

4. The to-the-point

“Hi, I’m [NAME], the founder of Merchant Machine [name of your company]. We make it easy to say ‘thank you’ at work. Merchant Machine helps small businesses quickly and easily save money on their credit card processing costs by comparing the leading options in the market. It’s completely free to the end user, there are no obligations and takes just one minute to do. Can we set up a time to chat tomorrow?”

Why it works : There are no frills here — but you have enough information to consider setting up a meeting. This approach is more effective via email or Linkedin.

5. The one that worked IRL

“Hi, I’m [NAME]. I got your email address from [NAME]. My co-founders and I founded Grasshopper and Engine Yard [name of your company], in which Amazon, Benchmark, and NEA invested. Our new company, Chargify, is a simple recurring billing management tool. We’re looking for angel capital to fill in some gaps. Maybe you’re interested in such an investment?”

Why it works : This is a real example from a real company. This led to other interests and helped them meet their goals. It’s effective because all of the information is straightforward and encouraging without taking up too much time in someone’s inbox.

Taking Out the Content Guesswork

Starting your own business is exciting, yet terrifying. There are a lot of unknowns when you’re starting it, and it can help to find certainty where you can.

One of the ways you can do that is by outsourcing things like your content creation to a trusted partner. It sets a good foundation while also freeing yourself up to focus on higher-level strategy. And that’s where ClearVoice comes in. With one of our customized content plans , our expert content creators can get you the exact content you need, when you need it. Connect with a content strategist today to see if we’re right for you!

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Speech: “Women entrepreneurs can drive economic growth”—Lakshmi Puri

Date: Monday, 17 July 2017

Mr. Jack Ma, Founder and Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group Ms. Zhang Wei, Alibaba Pictures President Dr. Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group Honorable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism of Canada Dear friends,

I want to express my deepest appreciation to Mr. Jack Ma, chair of the Alibaba Group and the Alibaba team at large for the invitation to speak at this SHE·ERA: 2017 Global Conference on Women and Entrepreneurship. Jack Ma and his team’s leadership is to be commended for convening such a monumental conference, bringing the attention of the world to a pathbreaking SHE-ERA that transforms the globe through sustained investment in and support to women’s economic empowerment. We thank you again for your unconditional and solid support to UN Women. We need more leaders like you in the world.

You have brought together an impressive lineup of champions of gender equality and women's empowerment with a focus on one of the key drivers of GEWE - women's entrepreneurship. I bring you the greetings of Madame Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women’s Executive Director. I would also like to convey the support of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, who is a true Gender Champion and supports all such initiatives that strengthen the global movement for gender equality!

Jack Ma and Alibaba partnership with UN Women

We commend your leadership Mr. Ma and you have been a pioneer in:

• Forging a transformative partnership with UN Women since the historic first ever Gender Equality Summit with nearly 70 heads of States and governments, co-hosted by China and UN Women in 2015 where you spoke on behalf of the private sector.
• Launching a Private Sector Forum for supporting UN Women and contributing to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 5 on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
• Financing our core institutional capacity especially on women's economic empowerment and women's entrepreneurship.

We continue to count on your support and on your inspiration for other private sector leaders in China and the world to join this movement of a socially accountable and gender responsive private sector who thinks and acts and impacts gender equality in their companies, in the market place and in the community.

Your quote last year, “women are the ‘secret sauce’ behind your company’s success,” continues to resonate, Mr. Ma, as a loud and clear invitation to the private sector leaders everywhere to emulate your employment practices and a gender equality and women's empowerment focused business model.

You have demonstrated that your quest for gender balance in the management and workforce of the company is achievable, that it empowers women as managers, traders, suppliers, producers and consumers and that this in turn generates and drives the exponential growth of your business.

We are convinced that women entrepreneurs can drive economic growth, but only if they are enabled to realize their rights and if we work in partnership with business, government and civil society to improve their opportunities and outcomes in global value chains. And this is what this conference is about.

Our deliberations for the next two days will contribute to strengthen the message that gender equality and women’s empowerment is the most important undertaking for our societies, economies and the international community as we enter a new and defining time for sustainable and inclusive development and peace and security with women’s leadership as a key driver.

The Essence of women's economic empowerment

Women’s economic empowerment is one of the world’s most promising areas of investment, biggest emerging markets, talent pools and demographic dividends to be tapped.

And when we speak of women’s economic empowerment we refer to women's economic rights including equal access to, ownership of and control over land, property, productive assets and resources including finance and capacity building and access on an equal basis as men to decent work and full and productive employment; their economic independence or full ability to freely assert their autonomy and exercise their choices; and their full access to decision making in all economic decisions that affect their lives and the lives of their families, communities and societies.

These three aspects of empowerment must be recognized and promoted as an integrated whole. If one aspect fails, the full empowerment cannot be realized and the whole sustainable development future is jeopardized.

Women's economic empowerment generates tremendous dividends for the society- Let me share some examples:

If women and men have the equal access to land, technology, financial services, education and markets, the consequent 20-30 per cent increase in agricultural production on women’s farms could lead to 100-150 million less hungry people.

If women participate in economic activity, own and control productive assets, it leads to development by helping to overcome poverty, reducing inequality and improving children’s nutrition, health, and school attendance.

If female employment were to match male employment, GDP could increase everywhere, for example, by 27 per cent in the Middle East and North Africa and by 19 per cent in South Asia.

If women and men stood on identical footing in terms of participation in the economy through paid work and entrepreneurship, the world could see as much as 28 trillion dollars in global growth by 2025- imagine that it would be the GDP of US and China put together!

There is growing global consensus on women’s economic empowerment as a force multiplier for good governance, economic growth, poverty eradication, ending hunger and achieving food security and nutrition, achieving sustainable consumption and production patterns and environmental sustainability, and SDG achievement overall.

Indeed, gender equality and women’s empowerment are integral to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015. As a universal call to action for all stakeholders, including in business, government, youth and civil society, the Agenda articulates priorities for joint efforts, so that all women and men, including young women, can share the benefits of economic growth and development, with no one left behind.

Market forces and enabling and special measures.

However, we can never lose sight of the fact that efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment require that market-based approaches and economic gains and incentives must go hand in hand with creating a deliberate ecosystem that enables women to realize their rights and level the capacity and opportunity playing field. This means governments and the private sector taking special measures. This is because historically systematic discrimination against women constrains their full and equal participation in the economy.

Entrepreneurship and decent work are the bedrocks of economic empowerment. They support the economic empowerment of women and men, families, communities, and countries. The Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development and 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development recognize the importance of entrepreneurship and decent work, specifically in Goal 8.3, “Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.”

The agenda further elaborates on the criticality of women’s economic empowerment through other sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly:

• SDG4 on Education (target 4.4)
• SDG5 (target 5.a and b)
• SDG8 on Economic growth and employment
• SDG17 (target 17.17) on Global partnership

It is recognized that just entrepreneurship alone fuels the creation of decent jobs and builds wealth when businesses thrive and grow. In China, if women started successful growth-oriented businesses as men do, it is estimated that 74 million more jobs could be created.

Global perspective on women and entrepreneurship

I will start by discussing some of the common structural barriers women entrepreneurs face and outline some of the solutions, drawing especially on the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment and our own work in global norm and standard setting, strategic partnership and advocacy, knowledge hub and operational work Finally, I will highlight concrete areas where UN Women is working to make a difference.

Structural Barriers to women’s entrepreneurship

A number of constraints on women’s entrepreneurship lead to unequal economic opportunities and outcomes compared to men. They are rooted in structural barriers and discriminatory laws and social and cultural norms and stereotypes that limit the realization of women’s rights and treat women as inferior and subordinate to men including in the productive economy. The World Bank estimates that in 155 out of 173 economies, at least one gender-based legal restriction exists on women's employment and entrepreneurship.

As a result, there is increased feminization of poverty, pervasive gender disparities in wealth and income from work – which includes both paid employment and self-employment and women entrepreneurship. Furthermore, these constraints are linked to poverty, ethnicity, race, disability, rural and remote location and status, resulting in multiple and intersecting economic marginalization for many women.

Major areas of gender inequalities in the economy include women’s predominance in the informal economy, occupational segregation, discrimination in the entire recruitment, retention, promotion and reentry chain in formal employment, gender pay gaps, lack of assets, unequal and inadequate access to productive resources, capacity building and finance and a heavy and disproportionate burden of unpaid care and domestic work and sexual harassment at the workplace.

Some 70 per cent of women workers are employed or self-employed in informal jobs, which are insecure, unprotected and poorly paid.

Occupational segregation by gender means that women are still overwhelmingly clustered in low-paid, poor-quality jobs- sticky floor phenomenon. The most pernicious impact of segregation is pervasive gender pay gaps, which mean that women are systematically paid less than men for work of equal value. The global gender pay gap stands at 23 per cent.

One cause of occupational segregation is the expectation that women are the primary care-givers for families. Care work is seen separated from formal economic activities, and is not remunerated. Globally, women spend an average of 2.5 times more time on unpaid care work compared to men.

It is well recognized that the time women spend on unpaid care work constrains the time available to dedicate to paid work activities, the types of work in which they engage, and their earning potential.

Another major structural barrier is women’s lack of access to productive assets – often dictated by laws on inheritance and property rights – which means that women have less collateral to raise capital to invest in a business. As result women remain in sectors with low barriers to entry and limited growth potential.

Although women-owned enterprises have been the target of microfinance interventions, there has been a dearth of activity supporting “the missing middle,” or mezzo-level financing for women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with high growth potential. For example, only about 14 to 19 percent of International Financial Corporation loans are issued to women-owned SME clients, despite evidence that they perform just as well as those owned by men!!

Breaking the glass ceilings and glass walls through entrepreneurship and innovation: Solutions based on recommendations of the High-Level Panel

Recognizing that advancing women’s economic empowerment is a global imperative and its catalytic potential in achieving the SDGs, the UN Secretary-General established the High-Level Panel (HLP) on Women’s Economic Empowerment in 2016 and President Kim is a distinguished member of the Panel.

The panel identified seven primary drivers of women’s economic empowerment which apply to women's entrepreneurship as a key means and made recommendations thereon calling for:

• Tackling adverse norms and promoting positive role models
• Ensuring legal protection and reforming discriminatory laws and regulations
• Recognizing, reducing and redistributing and provisioning unpaid care and domestic work
• Building assets—Digital, financial and property
• Changing business and private sector culture and practice
• Improving public sector practices in employment and procurement
• Strengthening visibility, collective voice and representation

UN Women is working to address these drivers and implement the recommendations of the High-Level Panel through its flagship programming initiatives.

Procurement as a key driver of women's entrepreneurship

For example, one of the key drivers the Panel identified was leveraging procurement to create economic opportunities for women-owned businesses as suppliers to governments, international organizations and corporations which procure goods and services from companies to carry out their functions.

Whether these entities are delivering health services, building a road, or manufacturing a product, smaller private sector companies are involved as suppliers. Public procurement alone accounts for 15 to 30 per cent of GDP in countries. This creates market opportunities that have long been recognized as an engine for growth in SMEs, yet women-owned enterprises are severely underrepresented as suppliers, securing only an estimated 1 per cent of contracts .

The SG's UN Panel estimates that even a 1 per cent increase in the share of procurement would result in 60-70 billion dollars in revenues for women-owned businesses. This is equivalent to the economy of countries like Cambodia, Costa Rica or Tanzania… a great deal we have in hand!!

It recommends that governments establish and track government-wide targets for women’s participation in procurement and encourage suppliers to do the same. Women-owned enterprises and women’s collectives should furthermore be trained on how to do business with government.

Corporations are also well positioned to promote gender equality and empower women in their workplaces, in their communities, and through purchasing policies and practices. The sheer size and volume of corporate purchasing worldwide means that corporations have the power to dramatically influence the way suppliers and supply chains operate.

By overlooking women-owned businesses, many corporations are missing an opportunity to expand their global markets, diversify and upgrade their supply chains, grow the economy, and increase the purchasing power of women consumers while simultaneously improving the lives of women and girls around the globe. Alibaba group is seizing these opportunities and kudos to you for that. You have made e-commerce a powerful vehicle of women's entrepreneurship and empowerment.

UN Women’s Transformative Programming

Women’s economic empowerment is at the core of UN Women’s priority areas. Working with a variety of partners, our programmes around the world and specifically in 75 countries on the ground seek to promote women’s ability to secure decent jobs, accumulate assets, and influence institutions and public policies determining growth and development. Our aims are higher incomes, better access to and control over resources, and greater security, including protection from violence.

One critical area of focus involves promoting women’s entrepreneurship, with a particular target on reaching out to women most in need, often by engaging with grass-roots and civil society organizations. Particularly marginalized groups include rural women, domestic workers, refugees and migrants, disabled and low-skilled women. At the global corporate level our advocacy seeks to influence gender parity in the Boards and management of companies and for them to join the Women's Empowerment Principles.

Some examples:

Since 2013, UN Women has facilitated EmpowerWomen.org , an innovative online knowledge, engagement and learning platform on women’s economic empowerment. It has made available over 2,500 documents and videos, 850 stories, 2,600 discussions, 500 events and opportunities and 220 organizations showcasing their work.

Empower Women has grown into a global movement with more than a million viewers and over 20,000 passionate and ambitious women and men contributing from the private sector, civil society, academia, governments and international organizations from more than 190 countries.

As part of our strategy to drive industry-wide action in the area of gender equality and innovation, UN Women is creating a collective action platform called the Global Innovation Coalition for Change (GICC) to be launched later this year. The GICC is a dynamic partnership between UN Women and key representatives from the private sector, academia and not for profit institutions focused on developing the innovation market to work better for women and accelerate the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment. The GICC will focus on market awareness of the potential for innovations that meet the needs of women and innovations that are developed by women and identify key actions to address their needs and remove barriers at an industry wide level.

Another example of UN Women’s transformative power is its “Women’s Entrepreneurship in Gender Responsive Procurement” flagship programme to generate opportunities for women entrepreneurs, so that they can earn sustainable income, create jobs, and drive sustainable, inclusive economic growth. UN Women released a guide this year for corporations to practice gender-responsive procurement, called “The Power of Procurement: How to Source from Women-Owned Businesses.”

The work includes conducting gender assessments that analyze the opportunities and barriers for women entrepreneurs, identifying strategic sectors in which to focus, and supporting the development of financial services that meet the unique needs of women-business owners.

As part of our flagship program “Women’s Entrepreneurship in Gender Responsive Procurement,” we will be creating opportunities for substantial impact in this area. For example, in December, the Women’s Economic Empowerment Summit to be held in Sharjah, UAE, and will feature activities to boost the capacity of both buyers and sellers to interact, negotiate and do business and bring investors and entrepreneurs together to explore avenues for partnership.

Also, promoting young women’s economic empowerment and skills development is a key pillar in UN Women’s Youth and Gender Equality Strategy. On World Youth Skills Day, 15 July 2016, UN Women launched the Global Coalition of Young Women Entrepreneurs to promote young women’s innovation and entrepreneurship and provide a platform for exchange between leading young women entrepreneurs, stakeholders and advocates, as well as men and boys who can also play an important role as partners and allies. The coalition will work to generate a Knowledge Toolbox for advancing young women entrepreneur’s skills and share best practices, to then be adopted by countries world over.

All these and the many UN Women programmes on the ground that have empowered millions of women economically have benefitted from the precious partnership between UN Women and Alibaba! Long live that partnership! 

Call to Action

At this conference, I would like to call upon all stakeholders from government, business and civil society to engage in collective actions to:

• Foster an enabling business and financial climate for women entrepreneurs
• Eliminate structural barriers
• Take concrete actions through strategic policies and partnerships
• Create new and innovative opportunities for women-owned businesses to thrive and grow
• Leverage procurement as a powerful tool to drive transformative results

I want to take this opportunity to call upon you to convey a meeting of male business leaders to stand together on gender equality and women’s empowerment in China. I hope Mr. Jack Ma you can take the lead on this and it can be done early next year.

I call upon male business leaders around the world to be inspired by and be like Jack Ma, and be a real HeForShe who has inaugurated a true SHE-ERA for women and girls by creating ecosystems that transform families, communities, markets and societies by recognizing women as equal and powerful economic agents of change.

The ambition of achieving the sustainable development goals cannot be achieved without putting women in the center of our efforts. Their talent, vision, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit unleashed are quintessential to reaching the present and future women and girls want, need and deserve but also for a sustainable, peaceful and prosperous future for all of humanity.

Now I call upon all of you to join UN Women’s global call on achieving a

Planet 50-50 by 2030 and to Step it up for Gender Equality. 

Repeat after me,

Planet 50-50 by 2030: step it up for Gender equality 

Who will do it?

We will do it.

Will we get there?

We will get there.

With visionaries and champions like all of you we are better positioned to keep this tryst with our gender equal destiny within a generation and not wait another century!

I thank you.

• ‘One Woman’ – The UN Women song
• UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous
• Kirsi Madi, Deputy Executive Director for Resource Management, Sustainability and Partnerships
• Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support, UN System Coordination and Programme Results
• Guiding documents
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• Inclusive National Planning
• Public Sector Reform
• Tracking Investments
• Strengthening young women's leadership
• Economic empowerment and skills development for young women
• Action on ending violence against young women and girls
• Engaging boys and young men in gender equality
• Sustainable development agenda
• Leadership and Participation
• National Planning
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• Regional and country offices
• Regional and Country Offices
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• Global Coordination
• Regional and country coordination
• Promoting UN accountability
• Gender Mainstreaming
• Coordination resources
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• Focal Point for Women and Gender Focal Points
• Entity-specific implementation plans on gender parity
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• CSW65 (2021)
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How to Inspire Entrepreneurial Thinking in Your Students

Explore more.

• Course Design
• Experiential Learning
• Perspectives
• Student Engagement

T he world is in flux. The COVID-19 pandemic has touched every corner of the globe, profoundly impacting our economies and societies as well as our personal lives and social networks. Innovation is happening at record speed. Digital technologies have transformed the way we live and work.

At the same time, world leaders are collaborating to tackle the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals , which aim to address issues related to health, education, gender equality, energy, and more. Private sector leaders, too, are recognizing that it makes good business sense to be aware of corporations’ social and environmental impact.

So, how can we as educators prepare our students to succeed in this tumultuous and uncertain—yet hopeful and exhilarating—global environment? As the world changes, so do the skills students need to build their careers—and to build a better society. For students to acquire these evolving skills, we believe educators must help students develop an entrepreneurial mindset.

6 Ways You Can Inspire Entrepreneurial Thinking Among Your Students

An entrepreneurial mindset —attitudes and behaviors that encapsulate how entrepreneurs tend to think and act—enables one to identify and capitalize on opportunities, change course when needed, and view mistakes as an opportunity to learn and improve.

If a student decides to become an entrepreneur, an entrepreneurial mindset is essential. And for students who plan to join a company, nonprofit, or government agency, this mindset will enable them to become intrapreneurs —champions of innovation and creativity inside their organizations. It can also help in everyday life by minimizing the impact of failure and reframing setbacks as learning opportunities.

“As the world changes, so do the skills students need to build their careers—and to build a better society.”

Effective entrepreneurship professors are skilled at nurturing the entrepreneurial mindset. They, of course, have the advantage of teaching a subject that naturally demands students think in this way. However, as we will explore, much of what they do in their classroom is transferable to other subject areas.

We interviewed top entrepreneurship professors at leading global institutions to understand the pedagogical approaches they use to cultivate this mindset in their students. Here, we will delve into six such approaches. As we do, think about what aspects of their techniques you can adopt to inspire entrepreneurial thinking in your own classroom.

1. Encourage Students to Chart Their Own Course Through Project-Based Learning

According to Ayman Ismail, associate professor of entrepreneurship at the American University in Cairo, students are used to pre-packaged ideas and linear thinking. “Students are often told, ‘Here’s X, Y, Z, now do something with it.’ They are not used to exploring or thinking creatively,” says Ismail.

To challenge this linear pattern, educators can instead help their students develop an entrepreneurial mindset through team-based projects that can challenge them to identify a problem or job to be done, conduct market research, and create a new product or service that addresses the issue. There is no blueprint for students to follow in developing these projects, so many will find this lack of direction confusing—in some cases even frightening. But therein lies the learning.

John Danner, who teaches entrepreneurship at Princeton University and University of California, Berkeley, finds his students similarly inhibited at the start. “My students come in trying to understand the rules of the game,” he says. “I tell them the game is to be created by you.”

Danner encourages students to get comfortable navigating life’s maze of ambiguity and possibility and to let their personal initiative drive them forward. He tells them, “At best you have a flashlight when peering into ambiguity. You can shine light on the next few steps.”

In your classroom: Send students on an unstructured journey. Dive right in by asking them to identify a challenge that will hone their problem-finding skills and encourage them to work in teams to find a solution. Do not give them a blueprint.

For example, in our M²GATE virtual exchange program, we teamed US students with peers located in four countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We asked them to identify a pressing social issue in MENA and then create a product or service to address it. One of the teams identified the high rate of youth unemployment in Morocco as an issue. They discovered that employers want workers with soft skills, but few schools provide such training. Their solution was a low-cost after-school program to equip students ages 8-16 with soft skills.

2. Help Students Think Broadly and Unleash Their Creativity

Professor Heidi Neck says her students at Babson College struggle with problem finding at the start of the entrepreneurial journey. “They are good at solving problems, but not as good at finding the problem to solve,” she explains. “For example, they know that climate change is a problem, and they’re interested in doing something about it, but they’re not sure what problem within that broad area they can focus on and find a market for.”

Professor Niko Slavnic, who teaches entrepreneurship at IEDC-Bled School of Management in Slovenia and the ESSCA School of Management in France, says he first invests time in teaching his students to unlearn traditional ways of thinking and unleash their creativity. He encourages students to get outside their comfort zones. One way he does this is by having them make paper airplanes and then stand on their desks and throw them. Many ask, “Should we do this? Is this allowed?” When his students start to question the rules and think about new possibilities, this indicates to Slavnic that they are primed for the type of creative exploration his course demands.

“When students start to question the rules and think about new possibilities, this indicates to Professor Niko Slavnic that they are primed for the type of creative exploration his course demands.”

In your classroom: Think about the concept of “unlearning.” Ask yourself if students are entering your class with rigid mindsets or attitudes based on rules and structures that you would like to change. For example, they may be coming into your classroom with the expectation that you, the instructor, have all the answers and that you will impart your wisdom to them throughout the semester. Design your course so that students spend more time than you do presenting, with you acting more as an advisor (the “guide on the side”).

3. Prompt Students to Take Bold Actions

Geoff Archer, an entrepreneurship professor at Royal Roads University in Canada, says Kolb’s theory of experiential learning underpins the entrepreneurial management curriculum he designed. Archer takes what he calls a “ready-fire-aim approach,” common in the startup world—he throws students right into the deep end. They are tasked with creating a for-profit business from scratch and operating it for a month. At the end of the semester, they must come up with a “pitch deck”—a short presentation providing potential investors with an overview of their proposed new business—and an investor-ready business plan.

This approach can be met with resistance, especially with mature learners. “They’re used to winning, and it’s frustrating and more than a bit terrifying to be told to do something without being given more structure upfront,” says Archer.

Professor Rita Egizii, who co-teaches with Archer, says students really struggled when instructed to get out and talk with potential customers about a product they were proposing to launch as part of their class project. “They all sat outside on the curb on their laptops. For them, it’s not normal and not okay to make small experiments and fail,” says Egizii.

Keep in mind that, culturally, the taboo of failure—even on a very small scale and even in the name of learning—can be ingrained in the minds of students from around the world.

The benefit of this permutation, explains Archer, is that students are writing plans based on actual experiences—in this case, customer interactions. Moving the starting blocks forward offers many benefits, including getting the students out of the classroom and out of their heads earlier, reminding them that the market’s opinion of their solution is far more important than their own. This also affords students more time to reflect and maximize the potential of their minimum viable product or experiment.

In your classroom: Invite students to bring their lived experiences and workplace knowledge into their studies. This can be just as powerful as the more famous exhortation to “get out of the classroom.” As Egizii sees it, “student-directed experiential learning provides a comfortable and relatable starting point from which they can then diverge their thinking.”

4. Show Students What They Can Achieve

For Eric Fretz, a lecturer at the University of Michigan, the key to launching his students on a successful path is setting the bar high, while at the same time helping them understand what is realistic to achieve. “You will never know if your students can jump six feet unless you set the bar at six feet,” he says.

His undergraduate students work in small teams to create a product in three months and generate sales from it. At the start of the semester, he typically sees a lot of grandiose ideas—a lot of “fluff and BS” as he calls it. Students also struggle with assessing the viability of their ideas.

To help, Fretz consults with each team extensively, filtering through ideas together until they can agree upon a feasible one that fulfills a real need. The real magic of his course is in the coaching and support he provides.

“People know when you’re investing in them and giving them your attention and energy,” Fretz says. He finds that coaching students in the beginning of the course helps assuage their concerns about embarking on an open-ended team project, while also supporting initiative and self-reliance.

In your classroom: Design ways to nudge your students outside their comfort zones, while also providing support. Like Fretz, you should set high expectations, but also adequately guide students.

5. Teach Students the Value of Changing Course

A key part of the entrepreneurial mindset is to be able to course-correct, learn from mistakes, and move on. Entrepreneurship professors position hurdles as learning opportunities. For example, Danner tells his students that his class is a laboratory for both aspiring and failing. He advises them to expect failure and think about how they are going to deal with it.

“A key part of the entrepreneurial mindset is to be able to course-correct, learn from mistakes, and move on.”

Ismail believes letting his students fail in class is the best preparation for the real world. He let one student team pursue a project for the entire semester around a product he knew had no potential. Two days before the end of the course, he told them as such. From his perspective, their frustration was the best learning experience they could have and the best training he could offer on what they will experience in real life. This reflects a key component of the entrepreneurial mindset— the ability to view mistakes as opportunities .

In your classroom: Build into your course some opportunities for students to make mistakes. Show them how mistakes are an opportunity to learn and improve. In entrepreneurship speak, this is called a “pivot.” Can you build in opportunities for students to face challenges and have to pivot in your course?

6. Communicate with Students Regularly to Establish New Ways of Thinking

Professor Neck realized that to nurture the entrepreneurial mindset in her students, she needed to provide them with opportunities to do so outside of class. She now encourages her students to establish a daily, reflective practice. She even designed a series of daily “mindset vitamins” that she sends to her students via the messaging platform WhatsApp. Students are not expected to reply to the messages, but rather to simply consume and absorb them.

Some messages relate specifically to entrepreneurship, such as: “How can you get started with nothing?” And others apply to life in general: “What has been your proudest moment in life so far? How can you create more moments like that? What did it feel like the last time you failed?”

In your classroom: Communicate with your students outside the classroom with messages that reinforce the mindset change you are seeking to achieve in your course. Social media and apps such as WhatsApp and Twitter make it easy to do so.

All Students Can Benefit from an Entrepreneurial Mindset

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that an entrepreneurial mindset is critical for addressing today’s problems. Adapting to risk, spotting opportunity, taking initiative, communicating and collaborating, being flexible, and problem solving—these are ways in which we have responded to the pandemic. And they’re all part of the entrepreneurial mindset. By instilling this way of thinking in our students, we will equip them to handle tomorrow’s challenges—as well as to identify and take advantage of future opportunities.

Thinking about which of these entrepreneurial approaches you can adopt in your own teaching may require you to redesign portions of your courses or even create a new course from scratch. We encourage you to be open to experimenting and trying out some of these ideas. Like the best entrepreneurs, don’t be afraid to fail.

Also, be open with your students. Let them know you are trying out some new things and solicit their feedback. If needed, you can always pivot your class and involve them in the exercise of co-creating something better together. In the process, you will also be modeling the entrepreneurial mindset for your students.

Amy Gillett is the vice president of education at the William Davidson Institute , a non-profit located at the University of Michigan. She oversees design and delivery of virtual exchanges, entrepreneurship development projects, and executive education programs. Over the past two decades, she has worked on a wide variety of global programs, including 10,000 Women , equipping over 300 Rwandan women with skills to scale their small businesses, and the NGO Leadership Workshops—one-week training programs held in Poland and Slovakia designed to enhance the managerial capability and sustainability of nongovernmental organizations in Central and Eastern Europe.

Kristin Babbie Kelterborn co-leads the Entrepreneurship Development Center (EDC) at the William Davidson Institute. She collaborates with the EDC’s faculty affiliates to design and implement projects that support entrepreneurs in building and growing their businesses in low- and middle-income countries.

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Speech on Youth Entrepreneurship

Youth entrepreneurship is like planting seeds for a fruitful future. It’s about young minds starting their own businesses, bringing fresh ideas to life.

This isn’t just about making money. It’s also about creativity, independence, and making a positive impact in the world.

1-minute Speech on Youth Entrepreneurship

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am here today to talk about a very exciting topic, ‘Youth Entrepreneurship’. Imagine being your own boss, making your own rules, and chasing your dreams. That’s what entrepreneurship is about.

Entrepreneurship means starting your own business. It’s like planting a small seed, watering it every day, and watching it grow into a big, strong tree. Young people, like you and me, can be entrepreneurs too. We call this ‘Youth Entrepreneurship’.

Now, why is youth entrepreneurship important? Well, it’s like learning to swim. The earlier you start, the better you get. When young people start businesses, they learn important skills. They learn how to solve problems, make decisions, and work hard. These skills are not just good for business, but for life too.

But, how can we encourage youth entrepreneurship? Schools and parents play a big role here. Schools can teach kids about business and money. Parents can encourage their kids to be creative and independent. Together, we can help young people to think big and chase their dreams.

Finally, remember that every big business today was once a small idea. Facebook, Apple, and Google, all started in a garage or a dorm room. So, if you have an idea, don’t be afraid to chase it. You might fail, but that’s okay. Failure is a part of the journey. It’s how you learn and grow.

In conclusion, youth entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business. It’s about chasing dreams, learning skills, and making the world a better place. So let’s encourage it, support it, and celebrate it. Thank you.

2-minute Speech on Youth Entrepreneurship

Today, I want to talk to you about a very exciting topic: Youth Entrepreneurship. You might wonder, what does that mean? Well, imagine being your own boss, making your own rules, and turning your dreams into reality. That’s what youth entrepreneurship is all about.

In our first chapter, let’s understand why youth entrepreneurship is important. You see, when young people start their own businesses, they not only create jobs for themselves but also for others. They bring new, creative ideas to life, which can solve problems we face every day. This can help our communities and even our whole country grow stronger and better.

But how do we make youth entrepreneurship happen? That’s our second chapter. It begins with education. Schools should teach us not only about math and science but also about how businesses work. We need to learn about money management, decision making, and leadership. These skills will help us become successful entrepreneurs.

Our third chapter is about the role of the government and society. They should support young entrepreneurs by providing resources like money to start businesses, training programs, and mentors who can guide us. They should also create laws that make it easier for young people to start and run their own businesses.

Now, let’s move to the fourth chapter. It’s about the challenges young entrepreneurs might face. Starting a business is not easy. There will be failures and disappointments. But remember, every failure is a chance to learn and grow. Even the most successful entrepreneurs have faced difficulties. What matters is not giving up and keeping your dream alive.

Finally, in our last chapter, I want to talk about the rewards of youth entrepreneurship. Yes, starting a business can be hard work, but it can also be a lot of fun. You get to do what you love and make a difference in the world. Plus, you can earn money while doing it!

In conclusion, youth entrepreneurship is a powerful tool that can change our lives and the world around us. It’s about dreaming big, taking risks, and making a difference. So, let’s encourage and support our young entrepreneurs. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but they are also the innovators and change-makers of today.

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Ignite Your Mind and Illuminate Your World

How to Deliver a Powerful 2 Minute Speech on Entrepreneurship

Introduction

Entrepreneurship is gaining popularity as a fulfilling career path for many, but it can be challenging to communicate your ideas effectively in a short pitch. Whether you’re speaking at a conference, networking event, or job interview, delivering a powerful 2-minute speech can make all the difference in capturing your audience’s attention. In this article, we’ll be discussing some tips and tricks on how to do just that.

1. Start with a strong hook

Your opening sentence should grab your audience’s attention, provide context around your topic, and create a sense of urgency. For instance, you could start by sharing a surprising statistic, asking a thought-provoking question, or sharing a personal anecdote. This will help engage your audience and make them curious about what you have to say.

2. Define your purpose

Before you start writing your speech, think about what message you want to convey to your audience. Your purpose could be to inspire, inform, persuade, or entertain. By identifying your purpose, you’ll be able to tailor your speech to meet your audience’s needs while keeping them engaged.

3. Stick to 1-2 main points

It’s important to stay focused and avoid overwhelming your audience with too much information. Identify the key points you want to make and stick to them. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 1-2 main points within your 2-minute speech.

4. Use storytelling

People are drawn to stories, so use this to your advantage. Try to tell a story that effectively supports your main points while keeping your audience engaged. Use anecdotes that relate to your topic to develop your argument and bring your presentation to life.

5. Practice, practice, practice

Practice makes perfect, so rehearse your speech until you feel confident. It’s essential to have a firm grip on your content and delivery to avoid stumbling or losing your way during your presentation. Record yourself practicing to check your tone, pace, and body language.

Delivering a powerful 2-minute speech on entrepreneurship takes preparation and practice. Starting with a strong hook, identifying your purpose, focusing on 1-2 main points, using storytelling, and practicing until you feel confident are all key elements in creating an engaging and effective speech. By following these tips, you’ll be able to communicate your ideas convincingly and motivate your audience to take action.

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UNSGSA Opening Speech at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2019

Opening remarks by her majesty queen máxima of the netherlands, the united nations secretary-general’s special advocate for inclusive finance for development (unsgsa), at the global entrepreneurship summit 2019: the future now, held on 4 june 2019 in the hague, the netherlands..

Excellencies,  Distinguished guests,  Ladies and gentlemen,

An entrepreneurial culture is the foundation to any thriving economy and society. As a member of the Dutch Committee for Entrepreneurship, I am proud to say that in The Netherlands, achieving a sustainable growth of small and medium-sized enterprises—SMEs—is a key part of our economic agenda.

Also, as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, my mandate is to support policies and business practices that advance universal access to affordable, effective, and safe financial services. Currently, 1.7 billion adults globally remain unable to access financial services such as savings, credit, insurance, and payments. And in terms of businesses, still today, around 40% of formal MSMEs worldwide lack the financing to expand, therefore hampering a robust inclusive economic growth.

Over the years, I have seen how essential entrepreneurship is in creating employment, value and innovation, while delivering products and services that people need around the world, both in developing and developed countries.

“Traditional” entrepreneurship has been the backbone of our local economies for centuries.But as technology advances, we are now witnessing the rapid emergence of innovative entrepreneurships: the ‘startups’.

A combination of tech-led and innovative business models enables them to create new products and services that reach more people at a cheaper cost, utilize unused assets and build upon data information. Even things that were unthinkable before. Whole sectors have been transformed—from financial services to food and agriculture, connectivity, energy, water, and healthcare—making these services more efficient and more accessible for even greater portions of the world’s population.

For any entrepreneur—startup or traditional—there are five key factors that can help a business fully thrive and make our world more inclusive.

• Access to finance—both for entrepreneurs and their customers.
• Technology—the need for fast digitization of all businesses.
• A customer-centric business model, which allows usage and access to markets.
• An enabling environment, including infrastructure.
• And more and more, leveraging strategic partnerships. 

First: For businesses, access to finance is crucial.

However, an IFC study found that the financing gap for MSMEs in emerging markets amounts to over $8 trillion (dollars). A lack of collateral, credit history, or transaction records can make it difficult for traditional businesses to access affordable credit from lenders. In the Netherlands, Qredits was created specifically for smaller firms that didn’t have access to normal banking credit.

Innovative startup entrepreneurs also face financing challenges but they are different from traditional MSMEs. Access to growth capital such as venture funds and angel investors can be limited in every phase.

Second: Technology

Technology and digitization can dramatically reduce cost and allow entrepreneurs to develop profitable low-value, big-volume business models. This is even more essential in emerging markets where infrastructure is less available, and the majority of the consumers have very limited purchasing power.

For example, fintech lenders such as Konfio in Mexico or Lidya in Nigeria use digital platforms and data analytics to lower customer acquisition and underwriting.

This means these companies can offer more affordable rates than traditional lenders at a much faster turnaround time. They also provide highly valued, non-financial services which really help clients grow. Lidya for example, offers clients digital methods to track invoices and receive payment reminders—giving these SMEs better insights in their business will help them increase productivity.

Third: A customer-centric business model, which is key for usage, scale and impact.  

Last year, during a visit to Indonesia, I became acquainted with Go-Jek—a startup which began as a very needed ride-hailing app for the country’s highly informal and traditional motorcycle taxi industry. Go-Jek is now a “super-app” that offers 18 on-demand services ranging from transportation to food services and logistics delivery, to in-home cleaning services. All provided by more that one million micro-entrepreneurs.

Customers needed to pay all of these services in an easy and fast way, so Go-Jek set up its own digital wallet—now one of the most used in Indonesia. Go-Jek is, today, one of Southeast Asia’s most valuable unicorns.

Fourth: Governments play an important role to foster entrepreneurship in an inclusive and responsible way.

Fintech has huge potential to play a transformative role to combat exclusion. But the speed and complexity of new innovations can be a challenge for regulators. Regulation should not stifle innovation. But at the same time it should protect consumers and the stability of systems—quite a balancing act.

It is important to recognize the power of having regulators and fintech innovators find solutions together to tackle risks and accelerate progress. To support regulators, particularly from emerging and developing economies, my fintech working group recently released a report that provides insights into regulatory innovations and will hopefully help to foster new technologies without hampering stability and consumer protection.

One issue that is very important is to ensure a level playing field. This is very true to financial services as it is in other sectors. As new technologies appear, the likelihood of a winner-takes-all situation could be more pronounced in emerging markets—especially within the digital space.

Because of the absence of infrastructure, a new innovative player can build ecosystems to address the infrastructure challenges around their business model. This is needed to transform a market at the beginning but might lead to a monopolistic or oligopolistic market structure. It is therefore important for regulators to mitigate against excessive market concentration.

For all of these things to work in an inclusive and fair way we will need certain pre-requisites, as I like to call them. These key enabling factors include cybersecurity, digital ID systems, customer data protection, financial and digital literacy, data privacy, and connectivity for all segments of the population.

In terms of competition and giving everybody an opportunity, entrepreneurship itself should be inclusive, particularly for women. Ability and intelligence cut across gender, but opportunity—and access to capital—does not.  A study in the US found that, on average, women receive less in early-stage capital than men; yet startups founded by women generally deliver over two times per dollar invested more than those founded by men.

And in the Netherlands, only 8% of the companies that have attracted venture capital have women in the leading teams. It shows a big disconnect between female entrepreneurship and venture capital. 

To address this issue and make finance work for women, FemNL has been launched in the NL. It encompasses the creation of the Borski Fund and a mentoring program, Fempower Your Growth.

This investment fund will hopefully allow more female talent to set up companies, and subsequently show others investors that women are worth investing in.

And my fifth and final point is the growing importance of strategic partnerships.  

Businesses of course do not operate in isolation. Many depend on ecosystems to thrive. The Dutch company ASML, which produces machines that make semiconductors, works in an “Open Innovation” system together with its suppliers, partners, and customers. In this way, it expands the knowledge and skills of all the partners involved, and accelerates innovations, much faster, than any one partner could do alone.

Creative partnerships can also help entrepreneurs grow faster by reaching last-mile and previously unserved customers. Last year we convened the CEO Partnership for Economic Inclusion to create this sort of cooperation. For example: Telenor, a mobile services provider, partnered with Unilever and PepsiCo, to enable micro-merchants in Pakistan to digitize their payments. The digitized transaction data can then be used to assess their creditworthiness for working capital loans. This resulted in higher incomes for the micro-merchants, and of course was good for the involved companies. Of course, technology is vital in allowing more of this kind of cross-industry partnerships.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Before I conclude, I’d like to say how wonderful it is to have so many entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world gathered here. Also, because it gives me the perfect chance to share some of my wishes with you!

First, we need data and timely in-depth analysis on the whole entrepreneurship landscape. The dynamism is large and ever-increasing. By having insights on who is winning, who is treading slowly and who is losing and why, we can design better policies and really help entrepreneurs. We are trying to achieve this with our yearly State of the SMEs report in the Netherlands.

Second, given that digitization, management systems changes and investment in human resources are key to increase productivity, how can we help companies to invest in those processes? Today, one cannot secure or guarantee a loan that helps you re-school your people or buy a new software, making funding difficult to obtain. How can we “secure” the financing for these investments?

And lastly, we have so many challenges, from sustainability to energy and water provision, food security, women empowerment, maintaining healthy families. How can we create partnerships within the private sector, across industries and with the NGOs to design products that can improve lives of so many that need it? We are seeing many examples, certainly building on technology, but we need more and we need scale if we want to change the world and make it a more equitable one.

I look forward to learning more about all your endeavors and I hope that we can learn from each other and above all inspire each other to make a better world.

More From Forbes

5 chatgpt prompts to improve your public speaking (wow your audience).

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5 ChatGPT prompts to be a better public speaker (wow your audience)

If you find yourself on a stage or in the spotlight, you had better take it seriously. People are watching, so don’t let them down. Open with confidence, deliver with passion, and close with a bang. There is no other way. But if you’re not sure how to begin preparing, this might seem like a mammoth task. Luckily, there’s time to learn.

These five public speaking experts have you covered, along with a little help from ChatGPT. Copy, paste and edit the square brackets in ChatGPT, and keep the same chat window open so the context carries through.

Wow your audience with your words: ChatGPT prompts for public speaking

Get ideas for keynotes.

Keynote speaker, leadership performance coach, and host of the Compete Every Day podcast Jake Thompson uses ChatGPT to get ideas for keynotes, “as a baseline to start and then adjust the copy and tune.” He said it’s helpful if you’re “stuck generating a strong starting point.” Don’t let the blank page intimidate you. Give ChatGPT information about your audience and their goals, to get brand new ideas you can roll with in minutes. Prompt like a winner from the very start, following Thompson’s lead.

“You are an expert marketing copywriter. Create a list of five ideas for keynote speech titles for my talk for [describe your audience, e.g. new managers and leaders], aspiring to be [describe their goal, e.g. high performance in their role].”

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Once you have options for ideas, choose your favorite and request a framework with examples tailored to your field of expertise.

“The talk will discuss the importance of [outline the key learning objectives, e.g. self-leadership, building rapport with team members, investing in your professional network]. Create a structure for the talk. Include titles and subtitles that incorporate examples and metaphors from [your signature topic, e.g. sports, business] to [outcome you want to achieve, e.g. inspire, motivate] the audience.”

Resonate with your audience

Keynote speaker, corporate facilitator and founder of Breakthrough Play , Gary Ware, has worked with some household name brands, including HP HP , Intuit Intuit and GoFundMe, to improve the public speaking skills of their outward-facing team members. Ware is all about the audience. Use these prompts to make a speech you have already written super relevant to the people in the room. Don’t miss the mark by taking them in turn.

“The audience of my next talk consists of [describe your audience including their profession, typical age, and any other characteristics] and the theme of the [event, e.g. conference] is [describe the theme, e.g. marketing]. Based on this information, outline the key interests or concerns my speech should address to be most relevant to them.”

When you have your answer, incorporate the learning into your speech, then check it aligns.

“Based on your recommendations given, review my attached talk to ensure my message is aligned with this audience’s expectations and needs. [Paste speech]”

Balance warmth and competence

Vanessa Van Edwards is founder of The Science of People and bestselling author of books Captivate, unpacking the science behind succeeding with people, and Cues, mastering the secret language of charismatic communication . She delivers 50 keynote speeches every year and knows how to make a great impression that lasts long after her talk is over.

“The best presenters have the perfect blend of warmth and competence,” Van Edwards explained. “But most of us have an imbalance between the two.” To redress the balance, Van Edwards pastes her script into ChatGPT and asks for recommendations. Here’s a prompt you can try for yourself.

“Review the script for an upcoming keynote I’m delivering. Identify three sections that lack warmth, and suggest the most appropriate way to improve that (for example, with a story, joke, case study, example or warm words) being specific about what to add or remove. Then, identify three sections with the potential to signal more competence, and suggest what to add (for example data, facts, analytics or competent words), being specific. [Paste script]”

Breathe more often

Founder of Best Speech Mike Pacchione, a keynote coach who has worked with renowned speakers such as James Clear , Donald Miller, Amy Porterfield and Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton, wants you to focus on breathing. Sounds simple? There’s much more to it. “Speakers can speak with more power when they breathe frequently,” he explained. “But they write notes in paragraphs and long sentences. That leads to being out of breath by the time you hit a full stop.”

Pacchionne recommends that speakers write their scripts as if they're song lyrics. In other words, format your keynote wording in such a way where you are reminded to take a breath. An ideal task for ChatGPT.

"Rewrite the following text with the exact same words, but add a line break every 7-10 words. The end product should resemble song lyrics instead of written paragraphs. [Paste your script]"

When you have your reworked speech, Pacchionne recommends you “go back and make sure the breathing breaks are in natural spots,” adding that “a speaker would be far better served with that format versus paragraphs.”

Make a backup plan

Entrepreneur, bestselling author, podcast host and keynote speaker Liz Bohannon is hired to give keynotes of different lengths, usually between 30 and 60 minutes. But the story is sometimes different on the day. “Often the event is running late, so I have less time than I'd planned for.” Bohannon uses ChatGPT to make a robust backup plan, so she’s prepared for any eventuality before she arrives.

"This speech is [duration]. I need to shorten it by [number] minutes but maintain [topic of speech, lesson or takeaway] as the main point. Make suggestions as to which parts I can cut while maintaining the powerful message: [Paste script]"

Stand out on stage: ChatGPT prompts to show up and wow

Give your audience everything they want and more when you prepare well using ChatGPT. Get ideas for talks with suitable examples, resonate with your audience whatever the event, and balance warmth and competence for charismatic delivery. Don’t forget to breathe by seeing your paragraphs as lyrics, and make a backup plan to fit in with questionable organizer timings.

Show up, stand tall, and say your words with pride. Secure raving fans and repeat bookings. The mic is yours, don’t let us down.

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‘misunderstood’ ohio state commencement speaker defends viral speech he wrote on ayahuasca: ‘did not expect the boos’.

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The commencement speaker who delivered an outlandish speech , which he wrote while on ayahuasca, to Ohio State University graduates called himself the “most misunderstood person” days after he claimed bitcoin was a “misunderstood asset class” — to resounding boos. 

Social entrepreneur and 1999 OSU alum Chris Pan, 46, defended his graduation address — and using the hallucinogen to help him write it — while admitting that the jeers for his bitcoin quip on Sunday were hard to digest and caught him off guard.

But he also laid blame on people’s poor listening skills for the visceral reaction during his speech that also featured two awkward sing-alongs, a Navy SEALs breathing exercise and a magic trick.

“I’ve never been booed by 70,000 people, it’s not a good feeling,” he told The Post Thursday. “It was hard, I’m human, it was not easy, but you know I had a job to do so I had to keep going.

“What was I gonna do, start crying, I mean dove walk off the stage. I mean, that would have been dramatic, too,” he added.

Pan denied he was hawking bitcoin, but only offered the cryptocurrency as a possible investment option for the Class of 2024.

“All I said was keep an open mind, I know it’s polarizing but I did not expect the boos because I thought people would listen to me but I didn’t realize people didn’t listen to me because they have their own biases,” he said.

But looking back, he admits he might have pulled the bitcoin bit from the speech and focused more on emotional and spiritual learning.

Pan, founder of MyIntent.org, said the style he deployed on Sunday is similar to talks he’s been hired to give to corporate workers. His company brands itself as a project that pushes for “meaningful conversations and positive actions” — though it also sells custom bracelets.

“I am the most misunderstood person right now in this world,” he proclaimed. “And it’s OK because people will eventually understand. But right now, it is what it is.”

Pan also shot back at critics who complained he used the psychedelic, ayahuasca, while penning the speech. He also uses magic mushrooms.

“I do it for creativity, as well as for healing,” he said. “John Lennon, Steve Jobs, like, they all worked with this to fuel their creativity.

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“Some people are saying you’re a f–king moron, you’re the biggest embarrassment for Ohio State, but I also have, my inbox is filled from all over the world saying I’m a f–king genius.”

Pan explained he accepted the gig after he received an email from the school in March. He previously told a school official in January he would love to return to campus to speak with students.

“In my wildest dream, I didn’t think that was in the realm of possibility,” Pan said. “It just didn’t occur to me.”

One grad left disappointed was Rory Ewing, who criticized Pan in a scathing letter she sent him that she also shared with The Post.

“You claimed that those who did not enjoy or appreciate your speech either didn’t understand what you were saying or didn’t understand bitcoin, which is both untrue and wildly condescending,” according to part of the letter.

“To insinuate that the lack of appreciation stems from a lack of education or thoughtfulness is an insult to the exact purpose we were gathered together this past Sunday.”

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Expand Your Business with a New Language — Beelinguapp Is Just $30 This language-learning app uses audiobooks and music to help you better grasp vocabulary and speech.

By Entrepreneur Store Edited by Jason Fell May 17, 2024

Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

Learning a new language can dramatically expand your sales reach. Just think of how many people speak a given language. It's especially worth pursuing if your product or service skews to a demographic that largely speaks a language that you might not. Regardless of your specific business motivations, it can only help, especially when high-quality lessons are so affordable.

From May 13th through 11:59 p.m. PT on the 22nd, this lifetime subscription to the Beelinguapp Language Learning App is on sale for $29.97 (reg. $100) . The app features audiobooks and lessons for 14 languages, some of which include Spanish, German, English, Korean, and even French.

By reading and following along while listening to audio recorded by a native language speaker, users can better understand pronunciation, which can help them become conversational faster. The wide range of audiobooks on the Beelinguapp included excerpts from fairy tales, news articles, scientific papers, and even classic novels.

This fun, new-age approach to language learning has led to Beelinguapp becoming a hit among users and critics. It's previously been named the #4 Product of the Day on Product Hunt and earned an Editors' Choice mention on the Google Play Store, where it's also been named one of the 5 Best Language-Learning Apps in the Market.

If you're curious about expanding your business with a new language, this is a fun tool to get you started.

Remember that only from May 13th through 11:59 p.m. PT on the 22nd, this lifetime subscription to the Beelinguapp Language Learning App is on sale for $29.97 (reg. $100).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Missouri AG demands documents from Kansas City mayor after X account post about Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker

The attorney general of Missouri is demanding information about the circumstances of a post shared on the X social media platform by the official city of Kansas City account that stated Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's city of residence.

The post, since deleted, noted the Kansas City suburb where Butker lives, which has a population of more than 100,000. The city's account later posted a message saying, "We apologies (sic) for the previous post. It was shared in error."

In a press release , Missouri AG Andrew Bailey said the post appeared to be in "retaliation" for controversial remarks Butker made during a commencement speech at Benedictine College earlier this week.

Bailey also posted to X directly, stating he believed Butker had been “doxxed” for “daring to express his religious beliefs.” "Doxxing" is an internet term for sharing someone's personal information, which can include addresses and phone numbers, without their permission.

“Missourians of faith deserve to know why Kansas City officials decided to attack Mr. Butker for his deeply held religious beliefs,” Bailey said in the release. “My office will not tolerate religious discrimination from City officials."

He said the post appeared to violate the Missouri Human Rights Act, which prohibits actions taken based on someone's religious belief.

"The mayor needs to immediately turn over his office’s communications relating to this post,” he said.

A spokesperson for Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Butker's remarks, which included telling female graduates to embrace their “vocation” as a “homemaker” as well as criticisms of the LGBTQ community and President Biden for his stance on abortion, drew a response by the National Football League, which told People Magazine his views did not represent the league's.

But Butker has been swiftly embraced by religious conservative figures, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who posted an undated photo to X of himself sitting down with the kicker and the caption, "Never more proud to call Harrison Butker my friend."

Conservative media outlets have also rallied around Butker, with The Federalist , National Review and The Blaze publishing articles arguing Butker was right about his views about women.

Rob Wile is a breaking business news reporter for NBC News Digital.