Scared glances around the room. Unsure if they are in the right place. Worried they do not know any of the jargon. Typical responses when researchers enter courses that talk about entrepreneurship.

I have seen it on my own events for UCL, University of Oxford and Imperial – bright, sparky people (many with PhDs) cautiously curious about your world.

Beyond any technical skills you might be looking for, academics bring many broader transferrable skills to ventures like yours. Academic is a broad term. You might encounter a PhD student looking for a micro internship, a postdoc looking for a career change, a fellowship holder looking to spin out their technology or an established lecturer providing consultancy.

These are proactive examples, but the enterprise direction is still seen as risky and mystifying for most in university research. So, whilst I am convincing you of their skills, I will share some tips on how bridge the gap so that you can both flourish.

Seeing all the possibilities

Researchers are taught to identify and mitigate risks. This necessitates a broad view of what could be possible in project, creating several possible futures alongside the most desired research route.

They are adept at project planning with contingencies in place. They will have at least four year’s experience (typical length of a UK PhD) of pivoting from plan A to plan B and beyond. This in turn has built resilience and flexibility.

How to help Weirdly researchers can be blinkered when it comes to applying this skill to their careers. The academic comfort blanket might feel more secure despite the fact most researchers are on fixed term funding typically lasting no more than a couple of years. Explain any funding cycles and outline your venture’s security as far as possible.

Problem solving

By choosing a research career, these curious people have deliberately sought out problems that need a solution. They were the kids who constantly asked ‘why?’! The process of becoming a researcher, through a PhD and beyond into postdoc roles, has taught them the essential elements of problem solving.

Framing the problem, building an understanding of what has gone before and the current state of the art, experimentation, analysis and review. Innovation processes such as the Double Diamond are inherently built into research methodology.

How to help Make it clear what problem your venture aims to solve for your customers and that they will have the chance to deploy their brains in refining solutions. Curb a tendency to create the ‘perfect’ solution by highlighting concepts such as minimal viable product.

Creativity

Despite coming from the research world myself, I am always astounded at the creativity displayed by those pushing back boundaries of knowledge. Given funding structures such as the Future Leaders Fellowships (also open to businesses) are set up to encourage disruption and innovation creativity is a survival skill for researchers. Creativity might manifest as intuitive leaps or creating systems to systematically poke at a problem but will be a great asset to your venture.

How to help To minds like these everything is interesting! Channel creativity into clear pathways that build your value proposition or release it on devising your next series of products.

Leadership and mentoring

Research seldom happens as a solo endeavour and within universities academics are called to teach, support and mentor alongside discovery. To have a PhD is to have led a solo research project whilst supporting your student peers in what can be a challenging time.  A fellowship holder who has won independent funding for their project is carving out an area of thought leadership within their discipline.

How to help Sadly much of this experience is not formally recognised in the early stages of an academic career. Yet a postdoc might well have sole day to day responsibility for students, technicians and other researchers as well as being expected to work autonomously. Therefore, you might need to dig at interview to uncover this wealth of experience!

Resourcefulness

It will not come as news that universities are undergoing huge financial pressures but researchers have always had to strive for results despite limited funding, equipment, or staff. I was very fond of the large nail that kept our scanner running! And often pushing knowledge boundaries might involve creating new kit. Want a fast, cost-effective prototype? Ask an academic.

How to help Sometimes the ‘outside world’ is viewed as piled with riches by academics. Whilst they know it is not true some adjusting to budgets and staffing levels will be needed. Help them understand your ventures commercial reality. Salary guidance can also be hugely helpful as they come from a system where people are on the same scale by and large. The latter is also good practice for diversifying your workforce.

I’ve worked with thousands of researchers after I had hung up my own lab coat. My journey from physicist to consultant has tapped into seams of skills developed as a researcher but there was plenty still to learn. Ever curious, I’ve sought help from experts and support from other business owners.

As a business owner and solopreneur, my network is now stacked with entrepreneurs. The environments might be different, but the mindsets are strikingly similar – driven, passionate with a deep-seated urge to fix a problem.

Dr Emma Williams is the author of Leaving Academia: Ditch the blanket, take the skills which has been shortlisted for a Business Book Award.