Women entrepreneurs
Women entrepreneurs
It is with considerable interest that I have read the report
of Asia Development Bank on Women Entrepreneurs Indonesia. As the
economy is becoming more competitive, many countries are
experiencing " Entrepreneurial Revolution" with women playing a
very important roles in creating jobs and services, particularly
in the service sector, and in many instances becoming the sole
bread winners.
In fact , enabling women to own and operate their own
businesses is more significant in those countries where deep
rooted traditions do not , as yet, allow many women to either
work outside of their home or take jobs.
Also some of these countries have as yet to recognize that
providing opportunities for women to seek higher education is
fundamental to their own development.
It is admirable that although women still face the
challenges of funding gap and role conflict, research shows that
they are being successful as entrepreneurs every where. (I will
not bother you with the statistics).
Although research in this important area is still
ongoing, some other reasons for their success are:
1. Women are extremely good at creating networks, which
then provide strong structures and support for their success. In
other words, they see their businesses as co-operative
networks of relationships than merely profit making entities.
2.Women entrepreneurs demonstrate strong negotiating
skills when dealing with their suppliers, customers, employee,
etc, and at the same time they know how to reconcile conflicting
demands and balance priorities vis-a- vis their home life.
3. Women entrepreneurs demonstrate good social skills and are
usually very articulate and persuasive; these skills enable
them to create repeat customers and appeal to the senses of the
first time buyer of a new product.
4. In the business world, when negotiating with a bank or
venture capitalist for loans, women are perceived to be more
sincere, responsible and committed to their new undertaking.
5. Women entrepreneurs also demonstrate more sensitivity
to the environmental issues, and they are less likely to violate
government regulations.
6. Finally, when these women entrepreneurs make money,
they prove to be astute in the money management skills.
7. However, by and large, women entrepreneurs are
more cautious risks takers than men.
It is most encouraging to read that the ADB report on Women
Entrepreneurs is confirming some of the factors contributing to
the success of these women, what some of us in the field, have
known for some time.
ALEXANDRA R. FIC
Professor, Brock University
St.Catharines.
Ontario, L2T 1X2,
Canada