Definition
Understanding Intrapreneurship
An Intrapreneur is an employee within an organization who takes on roles or projects that involve entrepreneurial activities. They are innovative, self-motivated, and often take risks to solve problems or create new products and services.
Characteristics of an Intrapreneur
- Innovation: Intrapreneurs are innovative thinkers. They are always looking for ways to improve processes, products, or services.
- Risk-taking: They are willing to take risks to implement their innovative ideas.
- Self-motivation: Intrapreneurs are self-driven. They do not need constant supervision to perform their tasks.
- Problem-solving: They have excellent problem-solving skills. They can identify issues and find effective solutions.
Intrapreneurship and Agile
In Agile environments, the concept of intrapreneurship is particularly relevant. Agile teams need to be self-organizing, innovative, and willing to take risks. Intrapreneurs within these teams can drive change and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Usage Examples
Example 1: An employee in a software company develops a new algorithm to improve the efficiency of an existing product. This individual is an intrapreneur.
Example 2: A team member in a marketing department initiates a new social media strategy that significantly increases customer engagement, demonstrating intrapreneurship.
Historical Context
The term ‘Intrapreneur’ was coined in the 1980s by Gifford and Elizabeth Pinchot. It was popularized by Steve Jobs, who defined intrapreneurs as ‘people in large companies who have the entrepreneurial spirit’.
Misconceptions
- Intrapreneurship is not just about creating new products or services. It also involves improving existing processes and solving problems.
- Intrapreneurs are not always senior employees or managers. They can be found at all levels of an organization.
Comparisons
- Intrapreneur vs Entrepreneur: While both are innovative and risk-taking, an intrapreneur operates within an existing organization, while an entrepreneur creates a new business.
Related Concepts
- Entrepreneurship
- Corporate Innovation
- Change Management
- Agile Methodology
- Product Development
