It’s time for the world to turn to the entrepreneur

The ability to start your own business is not a case of an accident of birth or the possession of a rare talent, argues Doug Richard. Through entrepreneurship, each of us has the potential to be a hero.

Things are looking bleak. According to the International Labour Organisation, global unemployment currently stands at 203.3 million and Sir Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England says that we are experiencing the worst financial crisis in history.

So what can we as individuals do to overcome this period of austerity and uncertainty? The answer lies with the entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurs are the unsung heroes that create the wealth, jobs and innovation that economies need for their growth. I think Barack Obama sums it up neatly when he says: “Entrepreneurship is essential to the strength and resilience of our economy and our way of life.”