Good practice in supporting women’s
entrepreneurship: Why is women’s
business networking important?
Christine Atkinson
Head of Women’s Entrepreneurship Hub: Centre
for Enterprise, University of Glamorgan
1October, 2010, Tbilisi
1
University of Glamorgan, Wales
Julie Lydon, Vice Chancellor of University of Glamorgan
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 entrepreneurs
Lack 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
Kathryn Williams, exstudent ......
MSc Entrepreneurship
(Female
Entrepreneurs) since
2001
…… 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
Jill Evans, MEP, 17/6/09
“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.”
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
Learning
Sharing experiences Power
The benefits of networking – ‘a tool for
transformation’
Overcome isolation
Accessing information
Identifying a peer group
Access to Mentors
Exchanging experiences
Peer mentoring
Learning informally from
one another
Getting feedback about the
business/products/
services
Identifying new customers
and suppliers
Solving problems
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 cooperating 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