Entreployee is the synonym of an entrepreneur and employee hybrid

An entreployee is a clever example of a portmanteau – a combination of the sounds and meanings of two words to make a new word. If you haven’t deduced it by now, it is a mishmash of two words, “entrepreneur” and “employee.”

The best thing about the word ‘entreployee’ is that it totally makes sense to those who read it or hear about it for the first time.

Although the actual meaning of the word is still a point of contention, the generally accepted meaning is when employees who work dynamically and contribute to the company from 9-to-5 are also active entrepreneurs beyond 5 pm.

This coined word, while it may sound new to many people, has been floating around among tech-savvy individuals and top companies since 2003, when an academic paper from Germany used the term to describe what the writers (Pongratz and Voss) see as the transformation of society towards a ‘self-entrepreneurial workforce.’

What does it mean to be an entreployee?

It means having the attitude or mindset of an entrepreneur without the position.

You don’t necessarily have to be a CEO or a person who starts a company to be called an entrepreneur. You simply need to embody the traits of an entrepreneur – taking strategic risks, being proactive, having a problem-solving mindset, and being creative and innovative.

Every employee can develop this entrepreneurial mindset. You can have a secure 9-to-5 salary while exemplifying these traits.

It means you see and often seek out opportunities.

If you consider yourself to be an entreployee, you usually focus on looking for opportunities to be of value in two areas: (1) your employer and, (2) your own business.

You do not diminish your value in the workplace but at the same time, you also have your own set of job opportunities, usually done over the internet.  These two work experiences do not clash with each other.  In fact, they are mutually beneficial, creating an individual with enriched experiences and better skills.

It requires flexibility and adaptability.

Entreployees not only adapt well to change. They expect them. They see setbacks as opportunities to alter what’s not working.

Entreployees not only need to monitor and plan their daily working activities, but they should also learn to roll with the punches and adapt to sudden changes.

It entails self-discipline and time management.

Being an entreployee is not an easy thing to do. It is a challenge to juggle responsibilities and prioritize important tasks. That is the reason why managing your time is crucial. There is simply no room for dilly-dallying because every second counts.

Since companies now target concrete performance parameters through an active promotion of self-responsibility versus controlled labour practices, employees now have more freedom to finish their tasks and hit their targets the best way they know how.

This could be a double-edged sword, but ultimately, a person with inherent discipline will stand out by showing concrete and observable results. If you show your employer that you can be trusted, then you might be given more time to work on your own business through special work arrangements.

Entreployees also show discipline by displaying proper work ethics and integrity. They exude good character and competencies, making them indispensable in any organization.

Having said this, it is important not to keep both your employer and your entrepreneurial network in the dark about your activities. Scheduling unprecedented meetings or work extensions might be easier if everything is laid out on the table.

It necessitates initiative and self-direction.

Most entreployees have a clear vision for their future in terms of both their professional and personal life. Because this is so, they are extremely focused on fulfilling their goals. They have the initiative and self-direction to follow their dreams.

In 2003, when the meaning of entreployee was further explained by Pongratz and Voss as ‘representing a substantial increase in opportunity for many’, they probably did not foresee the staggering transformation of how work is viewed almost 15 years later.

Entreployees are now seeing a lot of opportunities. They are creating values to their current day jobs but also carving out significant roles as freelancers running their own businesses beyond office hours. Your alternative activities are to be treated as value add-ons and not as impediments to your full-time job.