One of the most important elements related to this area is initiative. Being proactive is a complex concept and can be interpreted in many different ways. It means understanding new challenges, their market potential, being flexible to new situations, coordinating resources and ideas, and using innovative methods to implement them. Taking the initiative is essential to take the first step, to start a business or to launch an idea. Without this soft skill, it is very difficult to become an entrepreneur, to work independently, to take the first step, to be adventurous and to be willing to adopt new methods.

Without sales, investors, partners, there is no business and to be effective in these we need to negotiate in countless ways and times. It is also true that methods, trends and tendencies are changing dynamically. Not only do the channels of communication evolve on an almost daily basis, but so do the rules of business etiquette, including, for example, business dress, and customs. The emergence and prominence of pitch, social media and blockchain technology, the use of which must be taken into account, but also the traditional methods, values and skills

The use of networking skills has changed and is changing a lot today. Personal networking systems are forcing entrepreneurs to rethink their approach with the proliferation of social media, Web 2 applications and methods. However, it is also true here that the classic methods cannot be forgotten, and that the rules of personal contact and persuasive behaviour must be learned and practised. This includes good communication – including meta, verbal, non-verbal areas – and knowledge of the rules of dress, respect for social – and culture-dependent – etiquette. At the same time, online channels and social spaces have developed their own set of rules and regulations, which, because of their differences, have made this area even more complex. Networking means expanding the professional network of contacts, and without contacts without networking there is no business, and this is true even if the changing tools and platforms give the impression that it can be left out of the process or completely automated. Networking events continue to be an important element in the development of our business, and here too the mosaic of change across age groups, cultures, countries and many other factors is of particular importance.

It is vital for an entrepreneur to be able to use effective communication tools to get his ideas across, to present his products, services and plans to his peers, employees, business partners, investors and customers. The entrepreneur must be aware of the importance of effective communication as a crucial element of business strategy and competitiveness improvement, which has a major impact on all other activities and even on other soft skills. To make our communication effective and to be able to continuously improve, we need to develop a more comprehensive vision. Here too, the dynamics of our social and business environment are such that we must occasionally rely on our own intuition as to what might be the most effective method in the current situation. An important part of communication is the ability to address people effectively. The entrepreneur must have people management skills, in a positive sense. You need to be able to identify the needs of your customers and your team, your company, to choose the most appropriate staff to work with, to decide which of the investment opportunities to accept, who to vote for.

Flexibility and change management skills should not be separated from self-confidence and self-control. Effective change management will make all the difference for entrepreneurs who want to thrive in the 2020s business environment, adaptability is an important key to success. It can be said that the practical implementation of true self-reliance in our business is a leadership style that represents a level of commitment and the forms of communication that respond to the “here and now”, that is the ability to reinvent.

Training exercise: Internet research to collect from participants what combination of skills characterizes well-known leaders (Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, etc.), how they are reflected in the implementation of their ideas, in their businesses, in the material they are seen with.

Tools for the exercise: Flip-Chart, Post-it – 4 colors, Blue Tech, Markers, wi-fi connection 

To be able to develop the soft skills that are important to us, which we think we need, is learning and using knowledge. The basis.  Every entrepreneurial process is different, but the key feature is that you need to play a key role and use your knowledge to make decisions using experience, skills and intuition. You also need to be alert to market trends and developments and therefore rely on lifelong learning to ensure that your knowledge does not become obsolete.