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Words and Actions


Nov 13, 2020

From Steve Jobs strutting the stage at Apple to that hairdresser with the quirky name on your local high street: in this episode, we start a new mini-series on the language of entrepreneurship. We look at intrapreneurs, social entrepreneurs and mumpreneurs, talk to an entrepreneur with a background in linguistics and analyse how language is used in a business plan. Whether you’re thinking of starting your own business, want to help people do so or can look back on years of running your own company — this episode is for you.

Visit our website for a full transcript and further references:
https://wordsandactions.blog


We begin the first episode of the new mini-series on
the language of entrepreneurship by discussing associations with, and definitions of, entrepreneurs. Bernard quotes one definition from Investopedia, a website for investors:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/entrepreneur.asp


We then go on to talk about local businesses and what
they call themselves. Bernard mentions various
categorisations of entrepreneurs and how one
type may not regard the other as a “real” entrepreneur.


One category of entrepreneur is the ‘mumpreneur’. For
academic work on mumpreneurs, and female entrepreneurs more widely, see:


Surangi, H. A.
K. N. S., & Ranwala, R. S. (2018). A discourse analysis of research texts on mumpreneurs.
Kelaniya Journal of Management,
7(1), 1-12. http://doi.org/10.4038/kjm.v7i1.7550.

Ahl, H. (2006). Why research on women entrepreneurs
needs new directions. Entrepreneurship
Theory and Practice, 30(5), 595-621.

Marlow,
S.,
& McAdam,
M.
(2013), Gender and entrepreneurship: Advancing debate and challenging myths; exploring the mystery of the under‐performing female entrepreneur.
International
Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research,
19(1), 114-124. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552551311299288


We continue the first part of the episode by talking about the value set on entrepreneurial thinking and attitudes, especially at universities. Veronika mentions examples from the hosts’ employers:

University of Ghent (Bernard): Centre for Student Entrepreneurship,
https://www.durfondernemen.be/en/

Aston University (Erika): Start-up support for graduate
entrepreneurs, https://b-seen.biz

Lancaster University (Veronika): Entrepreneurs in Residence,
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/business/community/entrepreneurs-in-residence/

During the interview with Munene Khoza, Veronika mentions an interview study she did with language professionals. Here’s the reference:

Koller, V. (2017).
Language awareness and language workers. Language
Awareness, 27(1-2),
4-20.


The business plan we analyse in the final part of the episode, and other examples, can be found at
https://www.startups.com/library/expert-advice/top-4-business-plan-examples


See you again for the next part of the mini-series on the language of entrepreneurship!