PI Training (FIP)
Personal Initiative Training
PI Training strengthens personal initiative — a proactive behavioural pattern that enables entrepreneurs to take action themselves, anticipate future opportunities and challenges, and persist in the face of obstacles. Rather than focusing solely on business knowledge, PI Training teaches entrepreneurs how to act in uncertain and resource-constrained environments.
Objective
PI Training aims to increase personal initiative, also known as proactivity, which is a key psychological driver of entrepreneurial success. Strengthening self-starting, future-oriented and persistent behaviour supports sustained improvements in business performance, even under difficult conditions.
Target Groups
- Aspiring entrepreneurs
- Early-stage and established micro- and small business owners
- Particularly suitable for people in high-uncertainty or resource-constrained contexts
Core Focus & Content
The PI Training focuses on three interrelated behavioural dimensions.
- Self-starting behaviour: Acting independently and proactively without waiting for instructions or external prompts.
- Future-oriented behaviour: Anticipating opportunities and potential problems, and preparing for them in advance.
- Persistent behaviour in overcoming barriers: Continuing to act despite setbacks, learning from mistakes and adjusting strategies over time.
These behaviours are systematically applied at every stage of the entrepreneurial process, from identifying opportunities and setting goals to planning, using feedback and implementing ideas.
Methodology & Scientific Foundation
PI Training is grounded in Action Regulation Theory (Frese & Zapf, 1994) and takes an action-oriented approach to training that has been developed and refined through extensive research.
A key part of the training involves using action principles (“rules of thumb”), which are simple, evidence-based behavioural guidelines that translate scientific knowledge into practical action.
Learning is structured around the following:
- Practical exercises and simulations
- Feedback-rich learning cycles
- Reflection on real business challenges
- Personal business projects to ensure knowledge is applied in daily entrepreneurial practice
This approach helps new behaviours to compete successfully with old routines.
Evidence & Impact
A broad body of research and evaluation studies conducted in different countries shows that entrepreneurs who are trained in personal initiative:
- achieve higher profits in the long term;
- increase the number of employees over time;
- outperform participants of traditional business training on key business outcomes.
PI training has also proven to be highly cost-effective, with training costs typically recovered within approximately one year.
Format & Key Facts
- Modular structure (typically 8 core modules)
- Flexible duration and delivery formats
- Delivered by certified local trainers through a Training of Trainers model
- Placing a strong emphasis on application between sessions and learning from real-life experience
Success Story
Learn more about PI Training
The Personal Initiative (PI) Training is the second action-oriented entrepreneurship training programme following the STEP programme. It was developed by Prof. Dr. Michael Freese and Prof. Dr. Matthias Glaub at Leuphana University Lüneburg in 2008.
move gGmbH Entrepreneurship Training Institute
Turn intentions into impactful action with evidence-based interventions
Address
Liebenwalder Straße 12
13347 Berlin
Germany
Contact
T: +49(0)30 243 56 306
E: info@move-eti.com