THE CICAK.com

PART 1: Experiment a little

By NG KHAI LEE

Back in the day when few Malaysian kids had CD burners or access to P2P music sharing, Jake did. And he did a lot with it.

The transactions were made in class: CDs full of songs he illegally downloaded, compiled to meet his customer’s individual tastes, for RM15 a piece. In my view, there was something plain wrong. In his view, there was opportunity, and he didn’t hesitate to act.

Not withstanding Jake’s unlawful activities, one must commend him for a few reasons. Although he was only 15, he had the imagination and initiative to do something with his time, something many his age would not even consider. He was making a bit of extra money for himself, even though it wasn’t exactly “halal” money.

Let’s ignore my ex-classmate’s history, and focus on similar, but more ethical experiments in entrepreneurship – experiments which anyone can conduct, with great returns.

TRY THIS INTRODUCTORY EXPERIMENT

Shout “entrepreneur” out loudly in a public place, like a library. Do it right now, if you are in one. While you will undoubtedly receive mixed reactions like puzzlement or pity, it is quite likely that many will picture someone starting his or her own business. This perception is not wrong, but there is something amiss.

Being entrepreneurial does not require you to own your own business. Anyone, regardless of age or financial situation, can hone their entrepreneurial skills.

Today, it takes an average graduate an average of a year to get a job. Getting a desirable one, and keeping it, is getting tougher, with armies of similarly qualified graduates. Why wait to learn “on the job” when you can get a head start? Why compete for a job you might not even want when you can create jobs?

Take a look around you now. Perhaps you know of youth squandering much of their time and money. Perhaps you have, at some point, complained about being bored or feeling lazy, wishing you had some reason to get out of bed.

The entrepreneurial experiment is one solution, but one that will not suit everyone. Those who have it in them find it very rewarding, and if you haven’t had a taste, it is about time you give it a try.

See PART II of “Experiment A Little” on theCICAK.

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NG KHAI LEE is the Web developer and promotions manager of theCICAK. He fights for the Malaysian music scene with a Bazooka. See it, or visit his site.