According to recent publications (see this Vikings Law poster) the people from northern Europe who went Viking had a set of Laws. These laws were categorised under 4 headings:
- Be brave and aggressive
- Be prepared
- Be a good merchant
- Keep the camp in order
These laws lay out guidance that, when roughly translated, could well be followed by the entrepreneurs of today.
Below are 4 two-column tables, 1 for each of the headings, showing the laws that Vikings followed and how these laws could be adapted and implemented by today’s entrepreneurs.
1. Be brave and aggressive
| Viking | Entrepreneur |
|---|---|
| Be direct | Be very clear about what you want |
| Grab all opportunities | Do not turn down opportunities you never know where they will lead |
| Use varying methods of attack | Not just one approach to marketing and sales promotion, pivot |
| Attack one target at a time | Remain focused and do not spread your resources too thinly |
| Do not plan everything in detail | Work out the detail later; no plan survives first contact with the enemy |
| Use top quality weapons | Use good quality resources in marketing good design, good social media |
2. Be prepared
| Viking | Entrepreneur |
|---|---|
| Keep weapons in good condition | Do the maintenance of your tools i.e. databases routine contacts |
| Keep in shape | Look after your health |
| Find good battle comrades | Have the right people on your team |
| Agree on important points | Make sure you are all pulling in the same direction |
| Choose one chief | There is in the end just one boss |
3. Be a good merchant
| Viking | Entrepreneur |
|---|---|
| Find out what the market needs | Respond to market needs not whims |
| Don’t promise what you can’t keep | Do what you promised to do and do not raise expectations above your delivery |
| Don’t demand over-payment | Do not overcharge |
| Arrange things so that you can return | You never know when you will meet that company or the person |
4. Keep the camp in order
| Viking | Entrepreneur |
|---|---|
| Keep things tidy and organised | Keep good records especially accounting |
| Arrange enjoyable activities which strengthen the group | Bonding into a team through enjoyment |
| Make sure everyone does useful work | Everyone should contribute and have a chance to grow |
| Consult all members of the group for advice | Involvement helps commitment to the cause. |
Remember, the people who went on a Viking were very successful!