“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

Last week, I watched the movie “The Boss Baby”- a computer animated comedy film, in which the cute little baby is clad in a black suit, a tie and wears shining shoes – a corporate baby from Baby Corp. The movie, definitely hilarious, and the concept fairly new and unique, triggered off a few thoughts in me – kids are smart, kids of this generation are much smarter, so why limit their knowledge – why can’t we as parents and adults try to enlarge their scope and broaden their perspective to challenging realms towards expansion of knowledge paving way for independence and power. Yes, these are the Gen Z kids, multifaceted and multitalented with wider vistas and enriching paths.

Let’s make them independent – sow the seeds of Entrepreneurship – Entrepreneur, comes from the French word entreprendre meaning ‘undertake’. It is the ability to plan, start, and organize a business venture, along with taking a risk of failure and enjoying the fruit of labor – the profits of the business. Entrepreneurs are brilliant and innovative thinkers who are willing to emerge successful in the current global market.

Now, when the world is reduced to a global village, inception and expansion of business is all the more possible. We have a long list of  examples of young entrepreneurs – Cameron Johnson, Anshul Samar, Leanna Archer, – to name a few- still in their teens, they manage organizations, are CEO’s and are amassing huge profits. Contrary to the belief that only experienced people can start enterprises, enthusiastic and skillful teens are carving out their own niche in the world of entrepreneuring.

There are parents who consider children as glass dolls who need to be taken care of. The new gen parents should match their pace with their intelligent kids and introduce them to build qualities to make them self-reliable and independent thinkers, so as to turn out into competent professionals.

Creativity requires courage: Every child is unique bundle of talents:  Tap the hidden potential of your kids. Unleash their latent talent. Try to diagnose the areas they are best in – could be painting, playing, creating etc., Focus your attention in developing that particular talent in your kid, from a business perspective. This would lead to the kid’s passion becoming his / her profession in adulthood and he/she would enjoy work.  Spend quality time with children, only then can you understand the dreams, passions, skill sets, and ambitions. Let their thoughts flow, give wings to their dreams, so they fly in the azure skies, gain confidence and be self-satisfied.

Allow them to think, think and think, explore possibilities, try and err.  Let them form their own vision – clear or blurred, but it should be their own. Let them form their own mission – the mission of their life.  Gift them the freedom to choose their own path and carve their own destiny. Equip them with all the ingredients to build their future. Gear them up to garner their own resources.

Teach financial management – a critical skill, by giving pocket money from an early stage – balancing profits and losses, making their own balance sheet, learning the art of saving money, and spending wisely. Also, teach them negotiation skills

Raising capital: Let your child earn small amount of money by selling his / her skills. Schools also should use practical methods to impart knowledge.

Motivate them to make a list of their goals and objectives, and then come out with an action plan on how to achieve. Give them roles and responsibilities, so that they learn business skills on their own, rather than stuffing them with theoretical knowledge. Ask kids to jot down their top five goals, and design plans on how to accomplish them.

One of the foremost qualities of being an entrepreneur is the ability and willingness to take risks. Teach them not to be afraid of taking up challenges, or shirking responsibilities. Allow them to fight their little battles alone, rather acting as armor. Teach them to face difficulties, and yet be strong and come out with outcomes, in a strategic manner. Make children take criticism positively and consider it a learning opportunity. Teach them to never quit.

Inculcate discipline in your child. A lackadaisical attitude and approach leads to nowhere. Imbibe moral values and principles because, means to an end are equally important, so they learn the skill of entrepreneurship the ethical way.

“I started teaching soon after the expiry of my father at the age of thirteen, and this was an opportunity in disguise – now, I run a chain of schools” – a statement by a deemed academician. Most successful people worked when they were young – and amassed and honed skills as a child. The child of a car mechanic now owns a showroom. The child of a tea vendor is now the owner of a chain of reputed five star hotels. Children learnt to shoulder responsibilities at a tender age. Even the kids of politicians or actors can be seen to turn out to be the same, because they follow the footsteps of parents. The son of a stone cutter can become a builder, who knows?

Time management, money management, risk management, conflict management etc., are skills not necessarily learnt by turning the pages of a book. They are life lessons – character building and priceless, that come through situations and experiences.

Encourage them to participate in school activities – be it any fun or academic activity. Ask them to take charge. This will inculcate leadership skills in them. Ask them to take every opportunity to speak or perform in public. This greatly instills confidence in them and takes away their fears.

Effective communication is crucial to come up in life, be in verbal or non-verbal – teach them how to develop their personality, speak in public, politely and how to reach an audience, how to send emails, how to prepare projects. As they grow up, teach them to keep abreast of the market trends, the taxation, labor laws, legal entities, financial aspects.

Simultaneously, teach them to take care of surroundings – maintaining corporate responsibilities. Teach them the mantra – Develop, Organize & Manage.

This way, when the child grows up into an adult and starts his / her own enterprise, he / she not only feeds his/her family but many families, who come to him for their daily bread. The world today needs entrepreneurs – chisel your child into one. Let them explore and do things differently. Inspire them! Help teens create a better world – for you, form me, for us…

“It’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen.”

– Scott Belsky, co-founder of Behance