1 Christine Atkinson Head of Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub: Centre for Enterprise, University of Glamorgan 1October, 2010, Tbilisi Good practice in supporting women’s entrepreneurship: Why is women’s business networking important?
Dec 24, 2015
1
Christine Atkinson
Head of Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub: Centre for Enterprise, University of Glamorgan
1October, 2010, Tbilisi
Good practice in supporting women’s entrepreneurship: Why is women’s
business networking important?
Introduction
1. The Context of Women’s Entrepreneurship
2. Issues facing women entrepreneurs
3. EU Policy Framework
4. Supporting women entrepreneurs at the University of Glamorgan
5. Importance of women’s business networking
1. The context of women’s entrepreneurship
Women’s entrepreneurship is increasing in many parts of the world
Women are contributing to economic recovery and growth
In general, there is still a gender gap in entrepreneurship
In Europe, men outnumber women by around 2:1 (more exactly, 18.1% : 9.8%) in entrepreneurship
(GEM Global Women’s Report, 2007; Eurostat 2008)
2. Issues facing women entrepreneursLack of access to finance
Work life balance
Stereotypes
Information
Training
Networking(Eurochambres Women Network, 2010)
Lack of access to role models
Level of optimism
Self confidence
Fear of failure(GEM Global Women’s Report, 2007)
3. EU Policy Framework
The Lisbon Treaty
Article 8 (ex Article 3 (2) TEC) (1)
In all its activities, the Union shall aim to eliminate inequalities, and to promote equality, between men and women.
Article 153 (ex Article 137 TEC)
(i) equality between men and women with regard to labour market opportunities and treatment at work.
Presented by Birgit Arens, Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry Eurochambres Women Network at WEEU Conference 16/9/10
EU Policy Framework continued
Europe 2020
1. 75% employment target for 20 – 64 age group
2. 3% GDP investment in R&D (particular focus on private R&D; new indicator for R&D and innovation intensity)
3. 20-20-20 (CO2 possibly 30%)
4. Educational attainment: reduce early drop out rate to 10% and increase in tertiary or equivalent education to 40% of 30-34 age population group
5. Promoting social inclusion, in particular through the reduction of poverty, by aiming to lift at least 20 million people out of the risk of poverty and exclusion
Presented by Birgit Arens, Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry Eurochambres Women Network at WEEU Conference 16/9/10
EU Policy Framework continued
Small Business Act SBA (COM(2008) 394 final)
“The EU and Member States shouod create an environment within which entrepreneurs and family businesses can thrive and entrepreneurship is rewarded.
They need to care for future entrepreneurs better, in particular by fostering entrepreneurial interest and talent, particularly among young people and women, and by simplifying the conditions for business transfers.
The EC will establish an EU network of female entrepreneur ambassadors, promote mentoring schemes to inspire women to set up their own businesses and promote entrepreneurship among women graduates”.
Presented by Birgit Arens, Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry Eurochambres Women Network at WEEU Conference 16/9/10
4. Supporting women entrepreneurs at the University of Glamorgan
Research into personal, business and professional needs of women entrepreneurs, 2000
MSc Entrepreneurship (Female Entrepreneurs) since 2001
Kathryn Williams, ex-student ......
…… now Director of Completely Organised
Women’s Entrepreneurship – a Strategic Priority
“It is vitally important that we foster entrepreneurship and encourage more women to convert their ability into action.”
Jane Hutt, Welsh Assembly Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (2008)
Launch of Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub, Wales 2008
Political support in Brussels
“Currently, women continue to be under represented at senior management level and as proprietors of their own businesses.
But when women are given the opportunities to progress in business, they are often the most productive and the most successful in their fields. That is something we should always encourage, but it is particularly relevant as we work to ensure the Welsh economy emerges stronger and more robust from the downturn.”
Jill Evans, MEP, 17/6/09
European Launch of Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub, Brussels, 2009
Women’s Entrepreneurship in the European Union (WEEU)
New teaching and learning approach and materials
Wales, France, Lithuania
Universities, Chambers of Commerce, Women owned businesses
Focus groups
Pilot Women’s Entrepreneurship Summer Schools
Pilot mentoring
Dissemination events
www.weeu.eu
5. Importance of women’s business networking
Development of human capital
= ‘know how’
Development of social capital
= ‘know who’
Information PowerSharing experiencesLearning
The benefits of networking – ‘a tool for transformation’
Overcome isolation
Identifying a peer group
Exchanging experiences
Learning informally from one another
Identifying new customers and suppliers
Solving problems
Accessing information
Access to Mentors
Peer mentoring
Getting feedback about the business/products/ services
A stronger, shared voice
Access to power
To learn how to deal with sexist attitudes
Challenges for women entrepreneurs of networking
Reluctance to ‘use’ other people for their own ends
Limitations of peer networking/lack of access to power
Need for clear idea of objective of the networking relationship, e.g. to achieve a stronger market position, to tender for a larger contract by co-operating with complementary businesses
Key considerations in women’s business networking
Strong and weak ties
Bonding and bridging social capital
Relationship Building: Commitment, Trust, Reciprocity … demonstrated over time
4 phases: pre-relationship, exploratory, developing and mature/stable
Adaptations and Reputations
Women’s more holistic way of doing business
What women entrepreneurs say about networking ….
“There is, without a doubt, a great difference with how women work in business and how men work. The opportunity to discuss business issues and realise it is okay to work differently is great”.
Gail Webb, G & S Training
“Three words sum it up for me: motivation, support and encouragement”.
Patricia Mears, Designer/Artist