Rapport zur Collecte vu BeWéiser Annex 5 – Befindunge vum Art Square Lab, Lëtzebuerg
Outcomes from the group discussions with companies, Art Square Lab Validity of the results We managed to bring together new entrepreneurs as well as mature entrepreneurs from bigger companies as well as the intrapreneurs in corporations like bank. We reached out to them by personal contacts knowing that they might bring a valuable input to the conversation. The entrepreneurs were invited for a focus group to Art Square Lab office, we have used the PP and flyers of the project.
General findings An important part of the conversation (and the reason why we could not follow the questions) was the common understanding of entrepreneurship: is the horizontal skillset or ability to set up and manage own business. If this is a skillset, than in the point of view of the larger companies the discussion also should focus around intrapreneurship that they actively promote inside their workplaces (e.g. by developing entrepreneurial programs for employees, who in turn might create a spin-off inside the company.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Skills for entrepreneurs – existing and needed ●
About hard skills, participants shared that they are more easily learned than soft ones. Some might vary depending on the activity, as for instance communication skills might be more important in a selling activity than an IT one, which involve less contact with customers. The skills needed might also vary if the entrepreneur is new to it or experienced. For some participants it is important to have basic knowledge of various fields as accounting, finance, tax law, and marketing, considering that numerous entrepreneurs create a one or two people company. In some participants’ point of view organizational skills are needed, notably to acquire some selfdiscipline, as methodologies and concrete tools to reduce the risk of failure (business canvas, lean methodology…). Negotiation skills have also been mentioned as communication skills, the ability to sell oneself, be one’s enterprise ambassador and to build your ecosystem, to connect with peers through social media (Instagram story for instance) etc. Having knowledge of existing IT as developing a technological watch, and being able to combine this knowledge with creativity is perceived as important as well.
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About soft skills, attitude and mind-set were discussed extensively. From the discussion it appeared that intrapreneurship is very important, as entrepreneurship, and that the entrepreneurial mind-set may express itself as an entrepreneur or as an employee, part of a company. As for this mind-set numerous skills have been
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