The first of May is in many countries associated with spring and in China is also a day to celebrate workers.

In the 21st century, this celebration should also recognize the vital role played by entrepreneurs whose creativity and risk taking lead to the creation of jobs. This includes those who have the courage, tenacity and skill set required to start their own business and grow that business so that it leads to the growth of new jobs. This is in sharp contrast to many big businesses which tend to see labor as a cost which needs to be cut and kept as low as possible, rather than as an "investment" in the future success of the company.

Parents should inspire their children to think about creating their own job and starting a business as opposed merely to finding a job and working all their lives for someone else.

China's education system, starting from year one and upward through university and beyond, should nurture the skill set involved in creating one's own business. While various entrepreneurship programs have been developed, the number of participants in such programs remains far too small. In our education of professions, especially, schools and universities need to realize that lawyers, accountants, and other professional service providers are effectively running a small business. Accordingly, all professional courses should equip graduates with the basic skills set that will enable them to succeed in business as well as professional terms.

We also need to change our attitude towards business. Too often people, especially academics, can look down their noses at business and see it as somehow dirty and unworthy -- something one does as a last resort. There is a mistaken notion that most people in business are driven predominantly by greed and profit. The reality is that most business people are incredibly hard-working and dedicated. Most people go into a business because they have a passion to create something new or provide a service that is presently not being provided or is being provided poorly. The "buzz" for a business person comes in value creation. Showing a profit is but one indicator of many that the business is successful. Profit also provides the capital that enables the business to grow and create more jobs.

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