Business and risk taking go hand-in-hand, and it is the entrepreneur’s job to anticipate these risks, manage the risks and minimize their impact on the company.
Here are quotes on business risks from successful entrepreneurs, business gurus, and business authors:
Many times they’re talking about risk as a bad thing. The way I think about risk is, I want to take some risks. The most dangerous thing is not taking a risk.
— Michael Dell, From the Huffington Post article “Michael Dell: ‘The Most Dangerous Thing Is Not Taking A Risk’”, Jan. 23, 2015
Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
— T. S. Eliot
I think we do a disservice to people if we try to say that an entrepreneur changes everything. An entrepreneur reduces risk in many places in order to focus on what’s most important, which is the product.
— Guy Kawasaki, From the article “How to Ape Guy Kawasaki” by Doug Hardy, July 8, 2013, in entrepreneurshipofallkinds.org
He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.
— Muhammad Ali, 1977 April 14, Fort Lauderdale News, Ali, Louis: The Spectre of Greatness Past (Continuation title: More Lincicome) by Bernie Lincicome (Sports Editor), Start Page 1D, Quote Page 6D, Column 1, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Newspapers_com)
Action means putting yourself out there, at the risk of rejection; but if you try your best, then there is no such thing as personal failure.
— Shaa Wasmund, From the book “Do Less, Get More: How to Work Smart and Live Life Your Way”, page. 194
The impression that an entrepreneur is a swashbuckling, risk-loving person is not true. What an entrepreneur truly should do is try to reduce risk by using established paths in some areas.
— Guy Kawasaki, From the article “How to Ape Guy Kawasaki” by Doug Hardy, July 8, 2013, in entrepreneurshipofallkinds.org
Your willingness to risk failure is the only real measure of your desire to be rich. Failure is a prerequisite for great success. If you want to succeed faster, double your rate of failure.
— Brian Tracy, Brian Tracy, From the book “Great Little Book on Universal Laws of Success,” p. 73
I always feel that failure is nothing more than life’s way of nudging you and letting you know you’re off course.
— Sarah Blakely, Founder and President of Spanx, in the book “The Risk Takers: 16 Women and Men Share their Entrepreneurial Strategies for Success” by Renee and Don Martin (Vanguard Press, published 2010, pp. 156)
If your gut tells you that a deal is too risky or that your partners seem untrustworthy, pay attention, step back, and reflect. If you go ahead anyway, do so with extra protection, especially in terms of documentation.
— R. Donahue Peebles, Owner of the real estate development company The Peebles Corporation in his book The Peebles Principles, p. 112
There is a direct relationship between the level of risk and the likelihood of loss in any enterprise. Successful entrepreneurs are those who analyze and minimize risk in the pursuit of profit.
— Brian Tracy, Brian Tracy, From the book “Great Little Book on Universal Laws of Success,” p. 8
It is better to risk starving to death then surrender. If you give up on your dreams, what’s left?
— Jim Carrey, Dan Black, from the book, “Success Quotes Foundational Elements for Lasting Success”
I think we do a disservice to people if we try to say that an entrepreneur changes everything. An entrepreneur reduces risk in many places in order to focus on what’s most important, which is the product.
— Guy Kawasaki, From the article “How to Ape Guy Kawasaki” by Doug Hardy, July 8, 2013, in entrepreneurshipofallkinds.org
Related Articles
Business risks refer to the possibility of a commercial business making inadequate profits (or even losses) due to uncertainties. Learn how to minimize and control your business risks by reading the following articles:
- Limit Your Risks
- What are the Risks Facing Your Business?
- 10 Risks of Starting an Online Business
- How to Reduce Your Risks When Starting a Business
- The Risks of Starting a Business
- 5 Tips to Reduce Risk When Starting a Small Business
- Risking to Win: How to Improve Performance by Taking Risks
- Know Possible Risks to Family and Marriage
Recommended Books on Business Risks:
- The Entrepreneur Equation: Evaluating the Realities, Risks, and Rewards of Having Your Own Business
- Grow Smart, Risk Less: A Low-Capital Path to Multiplying Your Business Through Franchising
- Risk Savvy: How to Make Good Decisions
- The Risk-Driven Business Model: Four Questions That Will Define Your Company
- Risk Is Right: Better to Lose Your Life Than to Waste It