WINGATE-project an excellent growth engine of business women communities!
Studies show that men are more interested than women in investing in a business. At the same time, men are more confident in their own strengths and knowledge. However, women have more reasons to become entrepreneurs, and the investments made by women are better than those made by men, according to the same studies. It is a reality that a woman wants to put her family first, before her career. Even more so, as we have gone through a pandemic period, where working from home and the need to care for children has led many women to leave their jobs to take care of their children or to adapt to new forms of work, with the risk that then when they want to go back to their old job, it is no longer valid or it is not well paid enough.
As a result, owning a business is a great way for women to organize their own schedule, so that they have the time they need for their family and have income at the same time.
Cristina Chiriac, president of the National Association of Entrepreneurs (ANAA) said: "The business world has been dominated by men for a long time, but the situation is already changing, as countries adopt a progressive social attitude, so female entrepreneurship has every chance to experience a dizzying growth rate in the coming period. Women understood that their role, in addition to that of mother and wife, is to create added value in the economy. We have examples of women who have changed the world, and the emphasis at the community level is on equal opportunities and gender equality so that the role of the modern woman is to position herself on the same hierarchical scale as men, regardless of the fields of activity".
In March, the series of networking events organized by ANAA within the WINGATE project - began, and up to now 14 events have been held in Romania and 5 in the Republic of Moldova, attended by over 700 women. The events represented networking meetings in which both businesswomen and women who do not yet own a business had the opportunity to learn about the Wingate project, the opportunity to grow in an international community and develop their entrepreneurial skills through courses that will be available for free on the Wingate platform. As guest speakers at the events, successful businesswomen shared from their experience what the challenges are and how quality networking can contribute to both personal and business development. Those present at the meetings supported the importance of business communities dedicated to women, such as Wingate.
Cristina Chiriac, opened each event, pointing out the importance of a solid professional path, based on tenacity and self-confidence.
"This project is a correct, viable construction that brings major benefits to women entrepreneurs, if they know how to identify their goals. I believe that the most profitable investment is in people, and I don't just mean employees. Surround yourself with honest partners, honest friends and learn to support your families. If you have set a goal, whatever it is, and achieved it, you are a successful woman. In Eastern Europe, 32% of management positions are held by women, but most of these companies have less than 5 employees. It's time to dare, say to yourself 1,000 times in the mirror - "I can", until you take the place you want and deserve. The European trend is that of business expansion and the creation of beneficial partnerships for each company. As a result, we set out to create opportunities! What we found that the business environment in Romania lacks are opportunities, and we, through the WINGATE project, create collaboration bridges between companies and coagulate the international business environment", said Cristina Chiriac
Wingate demonstrated its strength to coagulate, to lay the foundations of a gender community, well anchored in business reality, with vision, elegance and a lot of motivation for success.
The main objective of the project is the creation and development of an online platform and an innovative learning center where specialized courses will be developed on business ideas, management and business plan, the establishment of a start-up and notions of negotiation, business strategy, communication and PR. The platform provides opportunities for participants to improve their presence in the local and international market.
The courses conducted by experts in key fields for a highly competitive entrepreneurship, which are in the process of being implemented on the online platform of the Wingate project, come as an essential tool for training and motivating the new generation of female entrepreneurs. Another focus of the program aims to address the needs of companies with the ability to expand internationally, even beyond the countries participating in the project.
Until the end of the project, ANAA will organize 20 more such events that will bring together entrepreneurs from Romania and the Republic of Moldova.
New e-learning platform will be launched shortly
The Wingate project is now in its third year and the launch of the e-learning platform is launched shortly. It contains of a number of courses in topics such as; business model, financing, networking, communication, marketing, sustainability and much much more. In addition, there is an opportunity to test your own competence in various quizzes and You get suggestions for extra learning and reading. In many ways, it is a digital entrepreneurial school for those who want to establish a new business or want to grow an existing business. There is also a separate course series for angel investors, who potentially want to contribute capital to start-up companies. A lot of work has gone into the platform and the courses, and we hope and believe that many people will appreciate the opportunity to access a wide range of learning material.
This platform will be free for all users. And that is precisely one of the main principles of the project – to create better and more equal conditions for all women who want to establish their own business. The framework conditions for female entrepreneurs in the participating countries are very different and with the e-learning platform we hope to access to learning and thus equalize differences.
The project shall reach as many women as possible. In addition to the platform, 32 events have so far been arranged and carried out with several hundred participants in Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Moldova. Pandemic and war notwithstanding, the women are more motivated than ever. One of the larger events was in Chișinău in Moldova on 30 August. At this event, more than 100 women gathered to listen to each other's stories, share expertise and inspire each other. The Wingate project helps to make this possible, and the many passionate people who participate in the project have a common goal of contributing to more female entrepreneurs.
Norway and KIB participate in events in the other four countries. In November there is a big event in Belgrade and in December it is in Bucharest. We participate both as ambassadors, but also as speakers and debate and panel participants. We experience a tremendous amount of commitment in all the countries and we are inspired by all the great female entrepreneurs we meet. For the future, we hope to see even more businesses and female entrepreneurs, we wish each other the best of luck!
About the Wingate Project
The Wingate project is a collaboration between partners from Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Moldova and Norway. The goal is to create a green, competitive and inclusive entrepreneurial community in central and eastern Europe with guidance and networking for women who want to establish their own business or become investors. The project is financially supported via an EEA grant of €1,824,320 from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the "EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Regional Cooperation". From Kvinner in Business, Toril Flåskjer, Marit Silseth and Lotte Frost are associated with the project. - For more information about the project, click here.
Uncertanity in the word?! Increase your marketing activity!
Although businesses are generally forced to reduce their costs in times of crisis, reducing marketing costs can certainly be a bad solution. Why is it worth continuing marketing activities even during a recession, what steps can help us recover? Keep reading and find out!
In these periods, the advertising noise decreases as a whole, so even businesses that have less chance in a normal period due to the limitation of their spending and the finiteness of their capacity can also reach great results.
Here, we show you 5+1 tips and tricks to improve your business:
1. Adress your existing customers!
The magic of marketing is proper customer targeting. Using our available communication palette, we can formulate a wide variety of messages for our existing clientele, all with an outstanding conversion rate (actual reach rate) at a particularly favorable price. The cost of contacting an existing customer again is a fraction of the cost of reaching a new customer!
2. Necessary innovation
Rethink your offers, aim to satisfy basic needs!
3. Influence your audience emotions!
Many case studies prove that campaigns that affect emotions are more successful among buyers and clients than campaigns that only try to encourage us to buy.
4. Empower yourself online!
The need for online development has been convincingly demonstrated in the last two years. Whether it is selling products or services, a quality web appearance must become our most decisive marketing tool.
5. Well thought out marketing budget!
Marketing decisions should not be based on intuition and opinions!
+1 Defining the most important indicators!
The performance indicators make our marketing performance more aware, thus we can ensure the continuous monitoring of the conditions for growth. With their help, we can optimize our customer acquisition tools, reduce our expenses, and improve our rate of return.
CEE, Innovation and More Women Involved in New Companies
Article by Szabó Eszter Women/Business /Angels Association
What does a region – Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) - have to do with innovation capacity building or more women involved in new companies?
The WINGATE project, of which we are just reading the newsletter, is a good example of what it really means.
It connects for co-operation Norway, Serbia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. Its participating non-profits and for-profit organisations work together with women who need support to start their businesses. On the other side of the table are the business angel investors who want to contribute to their region's innovation ecosystem. If you connect a region, it can be better connected to the globe.
Ecosystems can be built locally by local players. The final result of the equation is CEE becoming more competitive globally. More women and more educated and experienced men create a stronger region for cross-border competitiveness. Without the support of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, who financed the Wingate project through an EEA and Norway grant for Regional Cooperation, this project would not occur.
As an example of regional cooperation, we can share one of our upcoming training sessions with you. On 8th November at 6 PM, we invite you to the next online event of this breakthrough training series, organised by the Women Business Angels Association in partnership with Lumus Investments.
Our upcoming session will focus on mentoring!
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Mentoring vs coaching
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Mentee and mentor relationship
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The lifecycle of the mentor and mentee relationship
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How to prepare for the first meeting
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Interview on mentor + mentee angel investing
Our speakers will be Zuzana Zamborska and Vladimíra Činčurová.
Zuzana Zamborska helps companies in the CEE region to uncover the potential of diversity & also cofounded a female angel club Lumus Investment Collective.
Vladimíra Činčurová In the past 5 years, was running the biggest student organisation, working in startups and corps and co-founded a project focusing on gender equality in the investment world / Lumus Investment Collective. Currently works for Microsoft as a partner development manager.
Join us by registering for the event!
Funding Your business
By: Lotte Frost, Kvinner i business
In Norway and the Nordics, we’re proud of the possibilities and services we offer female entrepreneurs and start-ups. And compared to other countries, there are a lot of governmental support schemes one can apply to in order to get both funding and support. But, and that but is quite big, in regards to funding it’s all about the men.
Only 0,1% of all investments are in female start-ups
There’s a long way to go. Only 0,1% of investments in the start-ups in Norway was allocated to all female start-ups and 0,1% for mixed genders. This is an important finding in the report, “The start-up funding report”, developed by Unconventional Ventures. So that leaves 99,8% of all capital funding business allocated to all-male teams. At the same time, 38% of all start-ups, are female. A huge mismatch, and a huge disappointment as the report from Unconventional states. And the same goes for Finland and Iceland.
It’s a paradox, that in the survey, “The female Opportunity Index 2021”, Norway is ranked number one, closely followed by Finland and Iceland. So, the possibilities are available, but not the money.
The results are a little bit better in Sweden, Germany, UK, France and Denmark, but still almost 90% of all funding is invested into all-male companies.
Men invest in men
So, who are the investors? Yes, they are also male. A total of 84% of all capital is raised by funds with only male general partner.
Most decision makers are male, whom are also overrepresented in senior roles. In Norway 13,9% of all chairman of the board, or should we start saying chairwoman of the board, are women. But the share of female CEO is increasing and is now 37% on Norway.
Kids is the most popular business
Most investors invest in female start-ups related to kids, wellness/beauty and fashion. In many ways traditional female industries. The over-all most popular industry to invest in is fintech, where all-women companies account for approximately 13% of the start-ups.
Time for action
We need action! Female entrepreneurs need to build a stronger position for the future. The authors of “The start-up funding report” reflects upon whether we need accelerator for investments instead of start-ups and they have some recommendations for moving forward:
- Educate traditional avenues of investing
- Promote more women to check-writing roles
- Publish your own findings
So, all female entrepreneurs, we need to challenge the exciting funding patterns by educating the investors and report our results and learnings. We need to promote ourselves, our businesses and our learnings.
Good luck.
Sources:
https://report2021.unconventional.vc/
https://www.ssb.no/
https://n26.com/en-eu/female-opportunity-index
The Innovation Ecosystem
Article by Eszter Szabo
Woman / Business / Angels
The good news is that local players can build an innovative ecosystem. The bad news is that only local players can make it.
As we can read in the World Bank's study, there are five elements to a healthy functioning innovation ecosystem:
- people,
- infrastructure,
- enabling environment,
- economic assets and
- networking assets.
But why is it an essential element to have more and more entrepreneurs launch their innovative startups? Because the ecosystem serves as a fuel, it either helps local startups fly or means a headwind slowing them. Let's see the five elements the World Bank identified one by one.
The People
People are the most important as they have the entrepreneurial spirit, maintain their university alumni network, have massive experience as employees, can be mentors or become mentees, represent access to talent for companies, and undergo various training programs.
The Infrastructure
If they are handy they serve as an enabler. Without it, start-up ideas abort. In Africa, the internet is less accessible than in Europe; therefore, Africans use mobile for innovation. Office space is vital as startups can host their employees and interact with each other. Startups want their headquarters downtown, where transportation is perfect. There are coffee shops available and event spaces for get-togethers and networking opportunities.
The Enabling Environment
Tax incentives and business angel investors have to be developed by different stakeholders and policymakers. You do not launch a start-up if you have to pay taxes of the company just registered. In developed countries, individuals can deduct some of their invested money from their income tax base. Grants are essential as enterprises are desperately in need of cash. IP (intellectual property) rights provide a safety net for your innovative solution. People have a significant problem with China, where IP protection does not exist. Your neighbor thinks they are just learning from you.
The Economic Assets
They consist of a large group from the Academic world around you, international and local companies, and service providers and funding institutions. Business angels represent the first professional set of investors with whom the founder meets. Their supportive approach to founders and ideas is super important.
The Networking Assets
They're available around where and whom one can meet. Events, meetups, co-working spaces, mentors, advisors, accelerators, incubators, hackathons, and start-up weekends are forms where you can become a success. Participation helps you better understand the business environment, the partners, and the other players.
Join the local innovation ecosystem to make it stronger w/ the unique experience you have, not to mention your financial means. Ok, a small fraction of it! You would make the local system more robust and find yourself in the middle of business creation!
WINGATE project- a perfect gateway for European regional cooperation
Between August 29-31, the delegation of the National Association of Entrepreneurs represented by Cristina Chiriac - President of ANAA, Nicoleta Munteanu - Vice President of ANAA, Viorica Puscas - Project Manager, together with other businesswomen from Romania, members of the association, made a work trip in the Republic of Moldova.
During the 3 days, several meetings were organized with important representatives of the Moldovan business environment as well as with representatives of state institutions and the Government.
The first meeting was on August 29 at the Romanian Embassy in the Republic of Moldova. The meeting was attended by Mr. Cristian-Leon Turcanu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania in the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Adrian Berezintu, Minister Counselor and Mr. Claudiu Chelcea, First Secretary. During the meeting, the Wingate project was presented and the representatives of the Romanian embassy in Chisinau congratulated ANAA for the initiative and showed their availability and support in promoting the Wingate project in the Republic of Moldova.
On the same day, the ANAA delegation had a meeting with the leadership of the Organization for the Development of Entrepreneurship - ODA, which is subordinate to the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Moldova. The institution's mission is to support the development of the domestic entrepreneurial environment, including small and medium-sized enterprises, by promoting the entrepreneurial culture, providing financial and technical assistance to companies, issuing financial and state guarantees, as well as ensuring business support infrastructure. On behalf of ODA, Mr. Dumintru Pintea, director of ODA, was present at the meeting, along with his team.
On August 30, the ANAA delegation also met with the board members of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs from Moldova. Sseveral aspects of the partnership framework were discussed, as well as good experiences aimed at promoting the Wingate project were shared. A beautiful opportunity to salute women who inspire and motivate through their own examples.
During the meeting, an exchange of views was made on challenges and proactive solutions to support business women, defend their rights and promote gender equality. Several projections of possible joint cooperation initiatives were also highlighted, with the aim of supporting the growth of female potential and its internationalization, the exchange of good practices and international expertise on the dimension of gender equality, the economic empowerment of women, the development of human capital by promoting skills and entrepreneurial culture, etc.
Also on August 30, ANAA signed a partnership agreement for the promotion of female entrepreneurship in the Republic of Moldova and Romania with the Moldovan Women's Platform. Mrs. Iulia Costin, President of PNFM spoke about the common challenges faced by women in the Republic of Moldova and those in Romania in terms of business development and the importance of strengthening the community of women leaders on both banks of the Prut for partnerships and mutual support.
The day ended with a Wingate Project presentation and networking event attended by over 100 successful entrepreneurs and amazing women eager to fight and gain as much knowledge as possible. We have created an amazing community and we are happy that we manage to grow it sustainably and harmoniously with each individual event!
On August 31, exactly when the Republic of Moldova was celebrating the Day of the Romanian Language. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Mrs. Natalia Gavrilita, presented to the ANAA delegation the measures taken to reduce gender gaps in politics and public administration, their effects and a set of priorities for the future.
"I appreciate the efforts your organizations made in Romania to support the interests of female entrepreneurship, as well as the agenda dedicated to supporting the importance of entrepreneurial education. Our attention is now focused on the economic field and the priority is the introduction of a mandatory quota on the board of state companies. I believe that together we will achieve better results to put into practice the complex objectives of gender equality", said Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita.
In the political space, the authorities of the Republic of Moldova managed to regulate the double gender quota with very good results. The 40% representation quota and the provisions for placing on the lists increased the number of women in the legislature of the Republic of Moldova in 2021, being the largest number of female deputies elected in the history of Moldova - 40.6% of the total deputies. Before the 2021 elections, the share of female MPs was 25%. This fact determined a significant increase in the level of gender equality in the political field, observed Gavrilita.
Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita showed her interest and total openness to supporting and encouraging women entrepreneurs. We have established a set of common goals and will work together to achieve them. Our targets aim to increase the number of women in leadership positions, reduce the gender pay gap, strengthen future gender equality and entrepreneurship education. We will collaborate to calibrate the legislation regarding mandatory gender quotas in the boards of state companies, but also in the institutional environment. I congratulate the Chisinau government for imposing gender equality in politics and public administration, and I consider that they are an example of good practice for Romania", said Cristina Chiriac, president of ANAA.
The official meeting with Prime Minister Natalia Gavriliță was the last in a series of events and meetings aimed at promoting successful businesswomen from Central and Eastern Europe, the Wingate Project, to bring together leaders from the public and private sectors in an effort to to support female entrepreneurship.
A free women entrepreneurship forum organized in the frame of the Wingate project
Hungarian version below!
The main goal of the Wingate project is to increase the number of women's businesses (especially those in the innovation sector) and to support their competitiveness, which we plan to implement through trainings, events and a sensitization process. Based on this line of thought, we are organizing our next event in Hungary: we invite you to a meaningful, inspiring day, join us at the Business Women Forum on June 9th!
Lectures, workshops for women entrepreneurs!
We have compiled our program from points that cover the interests of women entrepreneurs as fully as possible. Let's see what awaits visitors at the event!
The one-day event will feature programs in 3 rooms, provided free of charge by the project to participants. In addition to lectures and workshops grouped on the topics of communication, rhetoric and motivation, international and Hungarian success stories and inspiring stories will be presented to the audience.
Exciting, informative presentations
8:30 9:00 Registration
9:00 9:15 Welcome speach > Ágnes Puskás, SKC-Consulting Kft.
9:15 9:30 Wingate project presentation
9:30 10:00 Round table discussion about international cooperation, introduction of the Wingate partners
10:00 10:20 WBA introduction > Renáta Anna Jaksa
10:20 10:30 Success story > Nóra Szeles Tőkeportál
10:30 10:45 Kávészünet / Coffee break
10:45 11:15 Success story > Cecilie Hoxmark, Project openness
11:15 11:45 Sustainable operation > Lotte Frost
11:45 12:15 Tőkeportál introduction > Nóra Szeles
12:15 13:00 Ebéd / Lunch
13:00 13:25 Essential Online Presence (Marketing Math)> Péter Mezősi, Stars Agency https://starsagency.hu/
13:25 13:50 Intercultural communication, Exhibitions abroad > Barbara Czupy, Exhibition organizer and coffee roaster owner
13:50 14:00 Success story > Kinga Incze, Whitereport & Mediaspace.global
14:00 14:30 Self-development, organizational development in everyday life > Mika Norbertné Horváth Tímea, coach www.mnht.hu
14:30 15:00 "Why do we lead? The “cause” driven leadership, or peace with ourselves > Barbara Verő, Future Proof Consulting Kft.
15:00 15:15 Coffe break
15:15 15:45 Női váltó introduction > Olga Békéssy, founder and her meeting partners ; Ágnes Szabó, Virtulis irodaház; Rozi Váczi
15:45 16:45 Seed Alapítvány presentation (Introduction, Founding, Entrepreneurial self-knowledge)
> Zsuzsanna Lakatosné Lukács, Cecília Kirov-Farkas, Viktor Kéri
16:45 17:00 Closing speech
Grow with our workshops!
9:15 10:45 Competences of successful and future-proof women entrepreneurs
> Noémi Giczi-Kocsis, Best Concept Kft., Senior Partner in Organization and Leadership Development
10:45 12:15 "Chill-time"- or effective stress management > Adrienn Enikő Mátai, autogén tréner
13:30 15:00 Recognizing entrepreneurial strengths and weaknesses - exploiting them as an advantage and developing them if necessary > Zsófia Szabó és Mariann Kémenes-Piros, SEED Alapítvány
15:20 16:50 Toastmasters - How to become an immersive performer? > Adrienn Sekk-Kovács, mentálhigiénés szakember, tréner
In addition to the colorful presentation and workshop portfolio, we also offer networking opportunities in 3 intervals for entrepreneurial ladies wishing to connect. In each of these sections, 16 applicants will be able to acquire future partners, possibly investors and collaborators in a structured and efficient manner.
If you haven't registered yet, do it now - places are limited!
https://wingateproject.com/event/women-business-forum/
*****
Ingyenes vállalkozónői fórum a Wingate projekt szervezésében
A Wingate projekt fő célja női vállalkozások (kiemelten az innovációs szektorban lévők) számának növelése, valamint az ő versenyképességük támogatása, melyet tréningeken, rendezvényeken, érzékenyítési folyamaton keresztül tervezünk megvalósítani. E gondolatmenet alapján megrendezzük következő magyarországi rendezvényünket: tartalmas, inspiráló napra invitálunk, tarts velünk Te is június 9-én a Business Women Forumon!
Előadások, workshopok vállalkozónőknek!
Olyan pontokból állítottuk össze programunkat, melyek a lehető legteljesebben lefedik a vállalkozónők érdeklődési köreit. Nézzük, mi vár a látogatókra az eseményen!
Az egy napos rendezvényen 3 teremben zajlanak majd a programok, melyeket térítésmentesen biztosít a projekt a résztvevők számára. Kommunikáció, retorika, motiváció témakörökre csoportosítható előadások, workshopok mellett, nemzetközi és magyar sikersztorik, inspiráló történetek kerülnek bemutatásra a közönség számára.
Izgalmas, tartalmas előadások
8:30 9:00 Regisztráció
9:00 9:15 Köszöntő, megnyitó > Puskás Ágnes, SKC-Consulting Kft.
9:15 9:30 Projektbemutató
9:30 10:00 Kerekasztal a nemzetközi kooperációról, partner bemutatás
10:00 10:20 WBA bemutatkozás > Jaksa Renáta
10:20 10:30 Sikersztori > Szeles Nóra Tőkeportál
10:30 10:45 Kávészünet / Coffee break
10:45 11:15 Sikersztori > Cecilie Hoxmark, Project openness
11:15 11:45 Fenntartható működés > Lotte Frost
11:45 12:15 Tőkeportál bemutatkozás > Szeles Nóra
12:15 13:00 Ebéd / Lunch
13:00 13:25 Nélkülözhetetlen online jelenlét (Marketing matek) > Mezősi Péter, Stars Agency https://starsagency.hu/
13:25 13:50 Interkulturális kommunikáció, Kiállításszervezés külföldön > Czupy Barbara, Kiállításszervező és kávépörkölő tulajdonos
13:50 14:00 Sikersztori > Incze Kinga, Whitereport & Mediaspace.global
14:00 14:30 Önfejlesztés, szervezetfejlesztés a mindennapokban > Mika Norbertné Horváth Tímea, coach www.mnht.hu
14:30 15:00 "Miért is vezetünk? Az „ügy” vezérelt vezetés, avagy békében önmagunkkal > Verő Barbara, Future Proof Consulting Kft.
15:00 15:15 Kávészünet
15:15 15:45 Női váltó bemutatkozás > Békéssy Olga, alapító és beszélgetőpartnerei; Szabó Ágnes, Virtulis irodaház; Váczi Rozi Matyodesign
15:45 16:45 Seed Alapítvány prezentáció (Bemutatás, Finanszírozás, Vállalkozói önismeret) > Lakatosné Lukács Zsuzsanna, Kirov-Farkas Cecília, Kéri Viktor
16:45 17:00 Záróbeszéd
Fejlődj workshopjaink segítségével!
9:15 10:45 A sikeres és jövőbiztos vállalkozónők kompetenciái > Giczi-Kocsis Noémi, Best Concept Kft., Szervezet-és Vezetőfejlesztő Szenior Partner
10:45 12:15 "Chill-time"- avagy hatékony stresszkezelés > Mátai Enikő Adrienn, autogén tréner
13:30 15:00 Vállalkozói erősségek, gyengeségek felismerése - azok előnyként történő kiaknázása és szükség esetén fejlesztése > Szabó Zsófia és Kémenes-Piros Mariann, SEED Alapítvány
15:20 16:50 Toastmasters - Hogyan lehetsz magával ragadó előadó? > Sekk-Kovács Adrienn, mentálhigiénés szakember, tréner
A színes előadás és workshop portfólió mellett 3 intervallumban networking lehetőséget is kínálunk a kapcsolódni vágyó vállalkozó hölgyeknek. Egy-egy ilyen szekcióban 16 jelentkező tud majd struktúráltan, hatékonyan jövőbeni partnerekre, esetlegesen befektetőkre, együttműködőkre szert tenni.
Ha még nem regisztráltál, tedd meg most – a helyek korlátozottak!
https://wingateproject.com/event/women-business-forum/
Three key factors for becoming a successful entrepreneur
Being an entrepreneur is challenging, exciting, fun and a lot of hard work. The process of defining what Your business should be all about is important and it always starts with the big WHY. Defining the problem, you’re solving, presenting the solution, and develop a plan to reach your target audience are steps in your journey of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
Define Your WHY!
The big Why is not about making money, it´s about your reason to be, your purpose. In order to be successful You need to have a clear purpose, a mission You really belief in. The business and the purpose have to be true and heartfelt. Not many companies have a clear understanding of the big WHY, so You can actually achieve a competitive advantage by defining your true purpose and communicating it to your stakeholders. To become a successful entrepreneur, there are three important factors You need to be aware off.
Firstly, you need to define what problem Your business is solving. People are concerned about solving their problems or fulfilling their needs. And when you´re company has the solution it´s a potential success story. And remember, focus on the solution. Companies tend to communicate what a product or service is, rather than focusing on the problem they solve.
Secondly, check if the primary target audience actually have this problem and therefore need You. Get to know you´re target audience, what are their needs, desires, concerns and ambitions, rather than just focusing on demographic characteristics. You need to earn their trust in order to become the problem solver they need.
Maintain logical order
When you defined the problem you´re solving and you´re getting familiar with the target audience, first then You can start making Your business plan. Many entrepreneurs start at the wrong end and start planning before they have formulated the big WHY and what problem they are solving. They often start with questions like:
How can I reach, acquire, and keep customers?
How do I best define and differentiate my product/service?
How can I generate revenue?
What's your cost structure?
What's your profit margin?
Those are important questions, but should be a part of your plan, not you´re initial concerns.
So, to sum it all up, three key factors of a successful entrepreneur are:
- Defining the problem your solving
- Checking if the target audience needs your product or service
- Making a good plan
Ask for feedback!
And a good piece of advice always is – talk to others, ask for advice and second opinions. Present Your business ideas to people You know and listen to their feedback. Testing can help you adjusting your business idea. Getting different perspectives on your story, your mission and your ideas, will help you to design the best and most relevant business plan. You can use the elevator pitch technique. That is a short, pre-prepared speech that explains what your company does, clearly and easy to understand. And You should do it in 30-60 seconds. It’s not a lot of time, so keep it short, define the problem you’re solving and the solution You offer. Present it as the auditor is your target audience.
It´s also a good idea to check opportunities regarding entrepreneurship trainings or programs. Many entrepreneurs think they need to solve all the challenges themselves, but together we´re stronger.
Good luck of becoming a successful entrepreneur!
Byline; Lotte Frost
How to build a market position for the future? It’s easy, be human.
The most human company wins, said Mark Schaeffer, successful author of the book carrying the same title. Whether you´re an entrepreneur starting a new business or a well-established company, local, regional or international, being human applies for all of them. And why is this important? Because people have a stronger impact than companies, strategies, plans and other non-personal issues – people trust people.
To build a brand for the future You need to be human. To succeed, your product or service need to be close, relevant and for the target audience; «a part of me». So, we need to act and be ourselves. Being ourselves is after all the most unique about us. People need to relate to Your business and to You – talking to the heart and the head. And If you in addition to that can act and operate local, you have a clear competitive advantage. If it’s not local it’s over, as Schaeffer says.
People trust people
The importance of being human and local applies whether You’re a local, regional, national or an international business. People do not do business with company, brands and strategies, they do business with You, because people have a stronger impact and people trust people. It’s actually quite simple, but still very difficult to build the trust You need in order to build a relationship with your existing and potential clients.
And the size of the company doesn’t matter. Big international companies also try to build a close relationship with their clients. They are searching for ideas to get closer to the heart of the client. Brands like Apple, Coca Cola and Unilever are examples of this.
Building a strategy for the future
So, what can You do in order to apply this human touch in Your business model and plan? Schaeffer give us some guidelines:
- Be clear on Your values:
- This is all about the big WHY and your value proposition. Why does your business exist, what problem are you solving and why should the target audience choose You?
- Create a rock-solid alliance
- Deliver what You have promised and be true to your values.
- Make a calculated risk
- Be true to the position You have chosen, and don’t change direction. Sometimes that means taking a risk staying in the position you have chosen.
- Involve in local society and be a “localvist”
- Show You care, and get involved in the local life and your local stakeholders. Be visible and helpful.
- Give up control and let the client be the hero
- It’s the client that rules the communication and they are in control. Social media has a strong voice and the clients know how to use them. So, it’s not about You telling the clients the story, it’s about You and the client creating and making the good story together.
Win the battle of attention
It’s a continuous battle for attention and in order to win that battle, you need to differentiate both yourself and your business. And perhaps the easiest way of doing so is just being Yourself? We live in challenging times and the margins are narrow. Establishing a business for the future is challenging. But no matter what business you have or is trying to build, it’s important to keep focus on being human. That will in the end differentiate you and your business.