Female entrepreneurs in the global world – challenges, opportunities and paths to success
Business conference of the Association of Business Women FAM
Ljubljana, Wednesday, November 20 – The central annual conference of the Association of Business Women was a tribute to World Business Women’s Day, which is celebrated on November 19 according to the UN. At the same time, the event also marked the upcoming anniversary of the establishment of this first Slovenian independent women’s business association in Slovenia, as the members will celebrate 28 years of continuous operation on November 26, said the president of the Association of Business Women FAM Darinka Pavlič Kamien in her opening address.
At the same time, the organization of the conference coincides with a moment and time when global geopolitical and, consequently, also economic conditions require consideration, discussion, exchange of views and ideas for urgent strategic shifts. The extraordinary interest in the business meeting can also be attributed to the need for connection, cooperation, in-depth discussions and knowledge, strengthening networks and finding solutions to the challenges that entrepreneurs face every day as business leaders.
In the framework of two discussion panels, the conference first touched on the challenges of business financing, expansion of activities, geographical expansion, with the panel title “Women entrepreneurs in the labyrinth of financial networks”. The panel was moderated by Mateja Zavadlal and Artjom Bajdak, active business and financial experts.
Jernej Salecl, Director of the Directorate for Industry, Entrepreneurship and Internationalization at the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport, Irena Meterc, Head of the Sector for Promotion of Entrepreneurship at the public agency SPIRIT, Andrej Meža, Director of the Business with small and medium-sized companies in NLB d.d., Erika Kostanjšek, entrepreneur, e3plus, Tilen Šarlah, financial director of ACEX, Tadeja Brankovič, former biathlete, participant of four Olympics, and Saša Mrak Hendrickson, president of the American-Slovenian Business Club in Washington DC, addressed the participants via video.
In the panel, the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in accessing financial resources for the start-up and development of an entrepreneurial story were discussed. The speakers shared their experiences on how to start a business at home or enter a foreign market, as well as professionally guide entrepreneurs on how to convince their bank, investors and various providers of financial resources for their business plan. As well as how to overcome obstacles and where and how to get appropriate help and missing skills.
In the second panel, titled “When money is not everything”, the speakers focused on the conversation about providing a comprehensive support environment in entrepreneurship, such as consulting, coaching, mentoring, and networking. In the discussion, they touched on the creation of a psychologically safe and stimulating work environment for employees, the formation and management of diverse and effective teams, dealing with stereotypes and biases, as well as self-care, health, and recognizing the symptoms of burnout, which is becoming a serious business challenge. It was a sincere conversation about the abysses in which entrepreneurs find themselves that left a deep mark on the content of the conversation. Part of the discussion was also aimed at coexistence with new technologies and artificial intelligence and sustainability as a key factor for long-term successful and responsible business.
Participating in the panel were: Vid Kavtičnik, Slovenian former handball player, today business focused on green energy and energy efficiency, doc. dr. Danijela Brečko, mentor, coach, trainer, and lecturer, Lucija Sajevec, Master of Economics, entrepreneur and leader of the new era, recipient of several entrepreneurial awards, prof. dr. Željko Čurič, doctor of medicine, psychiatrist, also a consultant in demanding negotiations in crisis situations, and Gregor Kosi, long-time general manager of Lidl Slovenia, today an entrepreneur.
The panel was moderated by Tatjana Kolenc, ambassador of mentoring and lifelong learning, founder of Heart Mentorship, promoter of mentoring culture and mindset, and Marko Podgornik Verdev, director of Micro + Polo, known for his innovative approach in the business world, where he strives for an inclusive organizational culture, demolishes taboos, speaks openly about personal challenges and overcoming stereotypes.
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