Entrepreneurial Aptitude score (or EA index)
This is arguably the more important score: the EA index represents a measure of entrepreneurial potential.
Scientific studies have shown that entrepreneurial potential is closely related to achievement of success. By that we mean individuals with a higher EA index score are more likely to experience business success than someone with a lower score.
The difficulty in ‘predicting’ business success is that in reality it isn’t possible. If it was, we could essentially know the future for a particular business, and we would only invest in businesses that would ‘win’. The reality of business success is that fulfilling potential relies on a combination of:
(i) feasibility of the business idea
(ii) the market the business operates in and the dynamics of the business environment, and
(iii) access to the skills and capabilities needed to fulfil (i) in the context of (ii).
The skills and capabilities might come from the report recipient, their wider team, advisory boards, investors, mentors, and their network connections.
Entrepreneurial Competence Factors score (or ECF index)
This is a measure of the skills and behaviours that are widely linked to entrepreneurship and enterprising nature. As explained above the ECF index is not a predictor of success. ECFs measure the report recipients preference for those skills and behaviours, and may help to identify how close they are to being able to fulfil their potential.
ECFs are generally accepted personality traits that are a common amongst entrepreneurs and business owners. How they manifest for report recipients individually will depend on their own personality, beliefs and background.
It is important to note that the combined ESI score is not a predictor of success in itself. The job of the ESI is to help report recipients understand whether their skills and potential could be limiting factors in their success, dependent upon the business idea and the context of the business environment in which they operate.