Learning Is Your Competitive Advantage
The Awakening of a Radical Entrepreneur
A Journey Through the Learning Curve
In the crisp winter months of 2025, as artificial intelligence reshapes the very fabric of business and commerce, a profound truth echoes through the corridors of entrepreneurship: learning is the only sustainable competitive advantage. This is not merely another business book—it is a manifesto for transformation, born from thirty years of entrepreneurial exploration and forged in the fires of seven major economic crises.
The Tale of the Learning Curve
Picture yourself standing at the edge of uncertainty, where your business dreams seem suspended between possibility and paralysis. This is where our story begins—in what author A. Greg Dickson calls the **"Messy Middle"** of every learning curve. It's a place where comfort zones become prisons, where business dreams go to sleep, and where the difference between thriving and merely surviving lies in one crucial realization: you cannot spend your way out of a learning problem; you must learn your way through it.
The narrative unfolds through the lens of a seasoned entrepreneur who witnessed firsthand the 1970s oil crisis, the 2008 financial collapse, the 2020 pandemic shutdown, and now the AI revolution of 2025. Each crisis revealed the same fundamental truth: those who adapted and learned survived; those who remained in their comfort zones perished.
Becoming Self Employed is a BIG Step
Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information on self-employment?Unsure if your career experience can translate into a viable business? Worried about financial risks, legal hurdles, or not having the “right stuff” to be an entrepreneur?Struggling to find clarity and a step-by-step process to guide your transition?
How this book will help you
Become Self-Employed* provides a clear, actionable guide to help you:
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Assess your career experience and uncover hidden business opportunities
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Analyze your strengths, fill skill gaps, and build a strong support network
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Evaluate market potential and identify your ideal customer
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Choose the right business structure and understand legal basics
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Develop a business plan tailored to your goals and resources
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Set up simple financial and tax systems-even if you’re new to business
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Build your digital presence and personal brand for today’s marketplace
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Manage risks, maintain work-life balance, and plan for growth or exit
About the Author
Written by A. Greg Dickson, a mentor and coach with 30+ years of entrepreneurial experience. Inspired by real-life coaching sessions and the journeys of hundreds of aspiring business owners.
David B, USA
Greg has been an outstanding business coach, providing weekly guidance that has been pivotal in scaling my start-up. His expertise in increasing sales, motivating team members, and structuring the organization has been incredibly beneficial. Greg's practical insights and actionable advice have significantly contributed to our growth and success. I highly recommend Greg to any business person seeking to enhance their business strategies and achieve remarkable results.
Adi L, Canada
Every session with Greg ended with valuable insights and ideas. Greg motivated me and gave me the tools I needed to achieve each goal we set. It felt like working with a co-founder who was there every step of the way. After three months of working together, I learned how to set goals, take action, and put myself in a place of growth.
Gabriel, Switzerland
Greg is very helpful in any business or personal case. If you would ask me which mentor I would recommend you on Preply I would say Greg. Greg has so much value and learnings to offer. If you don‘t use the opportunity to learn from him you will fall short.
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