As someone with lots of entrepreneurial spirit, I LOVE this idea. But I think it needs to go beyond “suggesting a project” and even beyond “preparing a business plan.” The intrapreneur needs to own the project just like an entrepreneur would own his company.

But for that to be possible, the company needs to be willing to share the profit if the venture is wildly successful. Conversely, the intraparneur should have a Plan B, and be prepared to implement Plan C, whatever those may be, if things don't work out as planned.

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Hi Eva and Alexandra – I've been blogging about this idea, thought you might find this post interesting, “Intrapreneurs are not Entrepreneurs,” http://blogs.adobe.com/i2/2010/03/intrepreneurs….

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@Eva: Great additional points re profit sharing and backup plans. Thanks so much!

@Erik: Yes, I saw your post and I think I actually sent it around. Glad you're reading!

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I really like this article a lot, I am an entrepreneur at heart and just started a job at a relatively new marketing firm. I love that you address the issue of waiting for the right time, making your mark as being superb at what they are looking for. This does not mean the idea was any less good previously, but rather it gives your voice more credibility when you say you see a way to better the company. Another great point was if an idea is rejected, don't let it deter you from having others and also don't dwell on something that has been turned down. This is a tough line to walk on considering one of the strongest entrepreneurial traits is passion.

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Love the Idea! Often we feel stuck at work because we are physically, between walls, but thank goodness we aren't sucked into their mentality.

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Get anonymous feedback on the meeting. Ask questions like “was this meeting helpful/necessary?” or “could we have achieved the outcomes in a better/different way?” Then read it and consider the suggestions.

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@Sofia and @JReid: So glad you liked the post, and great point re “if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.”

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Great information about Intrapreneurship, a topic which is very important.

“Intrapreneurship is the ‘Secret Weapon’ for success within major firms
such as: 3M, Anaconda-Ericsson, Apple Computer, Autodesk, Corona Data Systems,
Caribou Coffee, Gateway, GE, Genetech, Google, IBM, INTEL, iRobot, Kodak,
Lockheed-Martin, PR1ME Computer, Sony, Sun Microsystems, TCI, Texas
Instruments, Toyota, W. L. Gore, and Yahoo.” (A Quote from Dr. Haller’s book
“Intrapreneurship Success.”)

Intrapreneurship allows an employee to explore the entrepreneurial creation
of a product, service, or division with their employer’s encouragement,
resources, and support.

Dr. Howard Haller’s book, “Intrapreneurship Success: A PR1ME Example”
shares the well-documented case study of PR1ME Computer Inc. From 1977 to 1980,
PR1ME successfully and effectively used Intrapreneurship to grow from a small
OTC listed company to become the Number 1 performing company listed on the
NYSE. Within 4 years PR1ME’s sales grew from $50 Million to $480 Million with
strong profit margins.

For more details on “Real World”
Intrapreneurship Case Studies please visit: http://www.IntrapreneurshipInstitute.

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Great information about Intrapreneurship, a topic which is very important!

“Intrapreneurship is the ‘Secret Weapon’ for success within major firms
such as: 3M, Anaconda-Ericsson, Apple Computer, Autodesk, Corona Data Systems,
Caribou Coffee, Gateway, GE, Genetech, Google, IBM, INTEL, iRobot, Kodak,
Lockheed-Martin, PR1ME Computer, Sony, Sun Microsystems, TCI, Texas
Instruments, Toyota, W. L. Gore, and Yahoo.” (A Quote from Dr. Haller’s book
“Intrapreneurship Success.”)

Intrapreneurship allows an employee to explore the entrepreneurial creation
of a product, service, or division with their employer’s encouragement,
resources, and support.

Dr. Howard Haller’s book, “Intrapreneurship Success: A PR1ME Example”
shares the well-documented case study of PR1ME Computer Inc. From 1977 to 1980,
PR1ME successfully and effectively used Intrapreneurship to grow from a small
OTC listed company to become the Number 1 performing company listed on the
NYSE. Within 4 years PR1ME’s sales grew from $50 Million to $480 Million with
strong profit margins.

For more details on “Real World”
Intrapreneurship Case Studies please visit: http://www.IntrapreneurshipInstitute.

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[...] would-be entrepreneurs, I often suggest that the passion for innovation be satisfied by joining an “intrapreneurship” committee that develops ideas for new products, services, and efficient operations on behalf of the [...]