Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to be enterprising?

Understanding of the enterprising person is largely drawn from what is known about entrepreneurs; the idea being that the enterprising person shares entrepreneurial characteristics. Just as there are different types of entrepreneurs, distinguished by their growth orientation, motivation, type of business, involvement with new technology, association with business owner management, and so on, there are different enterprising people. An enterprising tendency is defined as the tendency to start up and manage projects. The most enterprising people set up projects more frequently; set up more innovative projects; and are more growth-oriented, which means that they have to be opportunistic, and good at utilising resources, including human, technological, physical and organisational resources.

Why does the test only allow ' tend to agree' or 'tend to disagree', when I would prefer to answer that I 'sometimes' or 'slightly' agree on occasion?

Many people dislike tests that require you to decide if tend to agree or disagree with statements, i.e. a forced choice when you might think that you are somewhere in the middle. However, you usually do know what your tendency is and that is what GET2 requires to make the assessment.

Does GET2 predict what I might do in the future?

Although GET2 has proved useful as an aid to discussion and personal reflection about enterprising tendency, predictive validity has not been established. However, GET2 may help you understand what is involved in being enterprising. Personal development and transformation is an open-door if you wish to be enterprising.

My GET2 test results suggest I am enterprising - Should I start a business?

Perhaps you already have experience in business, or have undertaken projects at school, or within employment as an intrapreneur, or within your community. If so, this may help you decide whether to start a business. Having an enterprising tendency is important but you may still need to develop your skills, knowledge or experience (i.e. your competencies) to be able to do what you really want to do. Several universities, such as the Open University offer free courses online which may help you to build up your business knowledge and skills (see http://openlearn.open.ac.uk). If you have not already started a business venture you might consider setting up and managing a less financially risky, project in your community to build up your experience and expertise. This may help you decide how you want to operate as an enterprising person at this time. Entrepreneur, intrapreneur or 'voluntrepreneur' that is the question, although the answer may change throughout your life!

My GET2 test results suggest I am not enterprising - what does this mean?

Sorry that this result seems negative. Organisations and communities need more enterprising people, but it would not be ideal if everyone was enterprising. Some people find enterprising people irritating, and they can be ruthless in their efforts to achieve their goals. Enterprising people do not own all the best personality characteristics, but this test does not assess other personality characteristics. The test is not definitive and it should be used as an educational aid for thinking about enterprise. If you are not happy with your test results, personal transformation is an open door! If you want to be enterprising you are half-way there! Several universities, such as the Open University offer free courses online which may help you to build up your business knowledge and skills (see http://openlearn.open.ac.uk). If you have never set up an enterprise you might consider setting up and managing a small project in your community that is a minimal risk to your time and money, to build up your experience and expertise. This may help you to decide how important it is for you to be enterprising.

What is the difference between an 'entrepreneur', and 'intrapreneur' and a 'voluntrepreneur'?

These are all people with enterprising characteristics, but ones who operate in different contexts. The 'Entrepreneur' starts up and runs their own business, they are business owner/managers but the most innovative and growth-oriented of them are termed entrepreneurs. An 'Intrapreneur' is someone who sets up and runs innovative projects as employees within an existing organisation. A 'Volantrepreneur' is someone who sets up and manages projects in the community for social or financial reasons, usually for no direct financial reward.

Is Get2 a Psychometric test?

Get2 works in a similar manner to psychometric tests, in that it asks a series of cross-referenced questions aimed at determining certain characteristics. However it has not been developed to the extent of most well-known psychometric tests at this stage.