Who do you think of when asked “who is the Father of Modern Electricity?” Thomas Edison, right? Well, Nikoli Tesla, the actual inventor of alternating current, might have had a little problem with that. What is the difference between these two great men? They both were geniuses when it came to invention but Edison was also an excellent Entrepreneur. His marketing skills, drive, amazing ability to acquire publicity, showmanship, knowledge of patent laws, and business savvy insured his place in history.

There is no doubt that being a good inventor can be a very important part of becoming successful. Ingenuity and creativity are wonderful assets in their own right and certainly should not be discounted. Unfortunately a “Great Idea” is merely that if it never gets out of the inventor’s work shop. In reality some of the best inventions ever created have probably died with their inventor while, in the meantime, everyone knows what a Pocket Fisherman is.

Of course you don’t have to invent anything to be a successful Entrepreneur, PT Barnum proved that, but if you’re an inventor it is probably wise to sharpen your Entrepreneurial Tools. Good inventions need to be protected, marketed, publicized, refined, manufactured, and promoted to become Great ones.

Henry Ford didn’t invent the automobile but he knew how to get them to market. Bill Gates didn’t invent the computer but he sure did make them user friendly. PT Barnum didn’t invent anything but he certainly became famous selling “hum bug”. Have you ever heard of Vladimir Zworykin or Philo Farnsworth? Many credit them as the combination of inventors who invented Television. Great Inventors with poor Entrepreneurial skills destined to fall off the pages of history.