Underdog Entrepreneurs (a Framework Of Success For Marginalized And Minority Innovators)

By (author) Morgan, Horatio M.
Description

Entrepreneurship is challenging, whatever your background, in the current science- and technology-driven Western world. However, unlike traditionally dominant, native-born, white male entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and elsewhere, those who face greater hurdles blocking their path to success primarily come from marginalized and minority groups, both real and self-perceived—including immigrants, refugees, women, blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. Despite their potential to innovate and add value in the global marketplace, they persistently struggle, or fail, because they lack the requisite code-breaking skills. This book helps these underdog entrepreneurs acquire those skills with actionable advice to achieve and sustain success.

It proposes a framework that pinpoints what the author calls the outsider problem—that is, situations in which individuals are primarily disadvantaged because they lack access to networks that facilitate superior learning and performance outcomes. He completes the framework by incorporating personal qualities and strategies that can solve this problem.

Along the way, Morgan distills insights and evidence from multiple fields, combined with a fresh look at the familiar stories of initially marginalized business leaders, such as Indra Nooyi, Jack Ma, Hilary Devey and Mike Lazaridis. He also shares the less known, but equally inspiring stories of others.

This book will help readers thrive while transcending their underdog status.

Table of contents

1.      Introduction: Underdog Entrepreneurs Are Everywhere

 

PART ONE: THE OUTSIDER PROBLEM

                                                                                                                                               

2.       Being on the Outside of Powerful Mainstream Networks                                                         

3.       Lacking Relevant Know-How                                                   

4.       Being Subject to Stereotype-Driven Discrimination and Stereotype Threat

 

PART TWO: CODE-BREAKING SKILLS

 

5.       A Growth Mindset                                                                                              

6.      Valuable Knowledge from Formal Education                

7.       Strategic Identity Orientation                                                                                                    

8.       Complementary Social and Political Skills                                                                    

 

PART THREE: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER AND DRAWING LESSONS

 

9.      An Integrative Framework           

10.  Commit to Ongoing Learning and Capability Development                                                      

11.  Strategically Cultivate Mutually Beneficial Networks   

12.  Experiment With Self-Identities, Don’t Be Rigidly Defined By Them                                      

13.  Strategically Accumulate Power and Appropriately Use It                                

14.  Strategically Target and Use Government Support                                                                     

15.  Cultivate Higher-Order Mental Skills                  

16.  Conclusion: Underdog Entrepreneurs’ Most Enduring Asset                 

Epilogue: What Journey Brought Me Here?  

Biographical note

Horatio M. Morgan is an Associate Professor of Global Management, and Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Innovation and Technology Management at Ryerson University, Canada. His expertise spans international entrepreneurship, immigrant entrepreneurship, corporate strategy, cognition, and analytics.