Participating in entrepreneurship panel

Today was a rare event where people could see me walking around with a tie, this happened due to the fact that I was invited to participate in a panel in a big conference that was organized by the entrepreneurship institute at the Technion, which also organizes a students' entrepreneurship competition. I was invited to participate in a panel that dealt with "entrepreneurship everywhere", which included people who initiated various activities in various areas. I have shared with the audience some of my experience as intraprenuer. I heard that my usual kind of talk which involves humor and some provocative statement, was well accepted, although, as usual, some people were not happy from things I've said.

One person felt strongly that I really don't belong to panel about entrepreneurship, as a real entrepreneur is a person who takes person risks by investing his own money, the panel moderator did not agree with her. Well, I have never claimed to be entrepreneur, but I think there are some similarities and also some differences between entrepreneur and intraprenuer. Another person who did not like what I said approached me when I was leaving. When talking about my background I told the audience that I have been a faculty member in the Technion, and did not feel I have enough impact on the world by just writing papers, he said that there were people who had great impact on the world by just writing papers, like Einstein. I agreed with him and said that I have talked about the fact that I did not think that I can have enough impact on the world by just writing papers, and he said that I should have emphasized that it is possible to have great impact on the world by just writing papers. This is of course true, though in the area of computer software is not that easy.

When asked what is the most important advice for those who want to succeed in achieving things within large organizations, I quoted the rule: Remember it is easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.