Every day we hear and read about the greatest entrepreneurs of our generation but learn little about what it takes to become an entrepreneur. “Entrepreneurial Living” is intended for anyone who is interested in entrepreneurship but has not dared to venture into this world, yet.

“Entrepreneurial Living” takes the most relevant proven insights from research and practice and communicates them in an accessible and concise way with beautifully illustrated hands-on tools. Using the analogy of a board game and illustrative examples, the book teaches you the fundamentals of entrepreneurial life. Some exemplary lessons are as follows:

• Knowing your identity, network and competencies helps you identify interesting entrepreneurial problems that you are equipped to solve.

• Focusing on your means instead of a distant vision enables you to create goal portfolios and deal with uncertainty.

• Understanding your own strengths and those of your potential partners lets you evaluate the option of cofounding a business.

• Developing a business model in collaboration with your customers can be more useful than writing a business plan. Listening to customers early in the ideation process helps you develop the business systematically.

• If you are observant and reflective, your insights will combine and turn you into your personal version of a successful entrepreneur.

“Entrepreneurial Living” teaches that it is never too late to become an entrepreneur; any prior life experience will help you visualize what you can do. Do not be afraid of the uncertainty and dare to take the first step to start the adventure. The best day to begin was yesterday. Today is the next-best day.

Dietmar Grichnik is professor of entrepreneurship, dean of the School of Management and director of the Institute for Technology Management at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. Founder and director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and the Global Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, he was chosen as one of the top 100 leading entrepreneurship professors worldwide by high-tech entrepreneurs in 2015. Grichnik is the author of several books and over 200 research articles on entrepreneurship and management.

Preface; Acknowledgment; 1. Before Kick-Off: What Type of Entrepreneur Are You? Choose Your Playing Piece!; 2. The Game Manual: On the Path to Independence—Follow Your Entrepreneurial Self! 3. First Move: Start Your Entrepreneurial Future with a Great Problem! 4. Second Move: Applying Your Means Is Better Than Studying—the Inventory Check! 5. Third Move: Think in Goals Portfolios—Goals Are Gregarious Animals! 6. Fourth Move: Master the Uncertainty—Define Your Affordable Loss and Bootstrap Your Means! 7. Fifth Move: Broaden Your Means Inventory and Goals Portfolio—Cocreate through Friendchising; Make Friends! 8. Sixth Move: Find Your Entrepreneurial Role and Complete It in a Team—Find Brothers and Sisters in Arms—Team Up! 9. Seventh Move: Expect the Unexpected—Who Needs a Business Plan?—Not Me. But I Do Need a Plan B, C or D! 10. The Final Move? Go Back to Start! The Baby Test—Give It up for Adoption, Make Siblings, or Get a Divorce—Entrepreneurial Passion! 11. The Game Analysis: After the Game Is Before the Game – Consider Yourself Lucky and Shape Entrepreneurial Society with Others: Lucky You and Tell Your Story! Index.