20 Thoughtful Questions for Business Leaders

Last post, I wrote about an awesome idea for helping spark an interest in capitalism and business principles in your kids by taking “Business Trips” as vacations – as suggested by Raising CEO Kids’ Sarah Cook.

Today, Cook gives us the questions to ask these business figures once you secure the meeting. They will help your children understand more about why and how these folks are succeeding and give your kids the ideas they need for their own business ventures.

How did you get started and how did you get to where you are today?

Is your family entrepreneurial?

Is this a corporation or your own business?

What do you love most about this job or your business?

What motivates you/your team?

What are the most important personal skills someone needs to be successful?

What you doing to make the world better?

What do you think your company will look like in 5 or 10 years?

How do companies make money in this market space and what causes some companies to fail?

What have been your biggest obstacles and how did you overcome them?

What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken either in your life or in this business?

What’s your leadership style?

Why did you choose this product and how did you know this was the right thing?

Who’s your favorite speaker or author? Why?

What are the most effective ways you’ve found to market your product?

College – should kids go or is there a better alternative now?

What are your thoughts on joint ventures?

Who has been the most influential person in your life – like a mentor?

How and where do you find the best people for your team?

What’s the best piece of advice you would give a young entrepreneur like me?

Maybe you won’t have time to ask all of these questions but if you even get a few answers, you and your child will have a much better idea about your own business ventures and the things your kids will want to accomplish in their own foray into the business world.

Please look for Cook’s up-coming book and more about her company inspiring young entrepreneurs and capitalism at www.raisingCEOkids.com.

Marijo Tinlin is the editor in chief of Family First, one of the oldest family-oriented websites on the internet. She is also the author of the new book “How to Raise an American Patriot, Making it Okay for Our Kids to Be Proud to Be American” available at www.raisinganamericanpatriot.com.