By Jesse Kasarin

November 12th marks the beginning of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), a week of global entrepreneurial events from Silicon Valley to the Netherlands.  GEW attempts to bring entrepreneurs new and old together, but it is not just entrepreneurs that GEW appeals to; they encourage members from all walks of society- including big business and government- to pitch in do their part to encourage entrepreneurial growth and awareness around the world .  Since new business forms new technologies and creates new jobs, it is important for everyone to pool their resources and expertise to help create the companies of tomorrow.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Marich, Executive Vice President of GEW, about the goals of the week.   Marich told me “creating a global movement to promote entrepreneurial activity has not been difficult. This isn’t an issue or a vision that is restricted to one group or another—anyone with an idea and the passion to pursue it can make a difference.”  I could not agree more – the field of entrepreneurship is so broad and encompasses all walks. We at the Lawrence N. Field Center for Entrepreneurship take a similar approach, in that you never know where the next big idea will come from. By giving startups the guidance and resources they need we could have a hand in creating the next Apple!

Marich says GEW has an expansive network throughout the world that it uses to promote and engage entrepreneurs in its movement.  “Here in the US, we have a very broad-ranging group of 1,000+ partners that includes colleges & universities, incubators & accelerators, government agencies & programs, Chambers of Commerce and more.  Meanwhile, there are still some countries that are in the midst of building out their partner network.”  For people from 130 countries, countless career paths and governments to pool their resources into a global network of such substance in five years is awe inspiring. The network goes as far as to reach the most prestigious position in American culture, President Barack Obama, who recently recognized November 2012 as National Entrepreneurship Month and GEW: “This month, and during Global Entrepreneurship Week, let us renew the spirit of innovation that has fueled more than two centuries of American progress and promises to drive us in the years to come.”

“GEW is more than just a celebration,” Marich said, “it engages the entire entrepreneurial spectrum and is strengthening ecosystems everywhere.”  To think of the future of business, innovation and the gathering of different groups and backgrounds together as a celebration is an incredibly refreshing concept. The stress of starting an entrepreneurial venture can become overwhelming at times and it can become easy to forget what a beautiful, rewarding thing creating a business can be. This is a great opportunity to be productive in a fun positive environment and pick up invaluable experience in the process.

Background

Global Entrepreneurship Week was started by Carl Schramm, President and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation, and Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 2007.  Since its inception the movement has reached 104 countries receiving support and financial aid from companies and governments across the globe.  GEW also has a wide variety of high profile supporters ranging from from the highest regions of government to pop culture icons.   Supporters of GEW  include President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Richard Branson, Mark Cuban, Russell Simmons, Snoop Dog & Dennis Crowley.

Events

Global Entrepreneurship week has many events which include:

Building Entrepreneurial Bridges: China and New York City
Hosted by the Field Center for Entrepreneurship at Baruch College in New York City, this event on  Tuesday November 13, 2012 is a discussion with entrepreneurs who’ve done business in both New York City and China.  These experts will discuss opportunities, best practices and challenges they’ve faced in navigating the diplomatic and business waters between the two countries.  For more information and to attend visit Building Entrepreneurial Bridges, China & New York City.

Creative Business Cup
The Center for Cultural and Experience Economy (CKO) will host the event in Copenhagen, Denmark.  This is an event that awards prizes and grants to entrepreneurs who are developing business in creative industries GEW believes have a “positive spillover effect on more traditional industries improving growth and innovation.”  Examples include the arts (Music & Film, Designers), advertising, and other businesses that involve creativity.  For more information visit (http://www.creativebusinesscup.com/)

Growing SME’s
The World Forum will host the event in Randstad, Netherlands.  The goal of the conference is to bring together entrepreneurs and experts in the topics of developing, growing and obtaining financing for SMEs.  It aims to establish successful networking and learning between members in order to develop economic growth.  For more information visit (http://www.growingsmes.org)

If you would like to see a complete listing of all the events held during Global Entrepreneurship Week please visit (http://www.unleashingideas.org/featured-events)

Jesse Kasarin
MBA Candidate/Field Fellow, Baruch SBDC

By David Benisrael

Next Tuesday the Field Center for Entrepreneurship will be holding a panel discussion event about Chinese-U.S. business ties and the steps it takes to conduct business in China.  The event, China and New York: Building Entrepreneurial Bridges, is the 2nd installment of our global entrepreneurial speaker series and a follow up to last year’s event Tel Aviv and New York; Building Entrepreneurial Bridges.

The speaker series focuses on exposing students and entrepreneurs to regions around the world where business is booming and entrepreneurs are thriving.   Last year, the focus was on Israeli innovation and technology; however this year the event will focus on understanding cultural barriers that exist between Chinese and American businesses and professionals.    The goal of the event is to highlight the misconceptions about working with businesses in China and the steps that an entrepreneur will need to take to be successful in China.   Whether building a business in China, working with vendors in China, sourcing goods from China, or offering online services in China, it is important to understand the cross-cultural barriers that affect communication between businesses and people.

China is becoming an ever present figure in global business and it is important for business students, professionals, and entrepreneurs to understand how they can work with Chinese firms or market their products to Chinese people.  I realized this point when visiting China in 2009 for the World Expo in Shanghai.  After spending a month-and-a-half in the modern metropolitan city of Shanghai I was exposed to a country, people, and economy far more complex than what is perceived in the U.S. media.   More specifically, I was surprised by the entrepreneurial spirit and business savvy culture in China.  From green technology to computer hardware, to manufacturing, fine art and architecture, there is a multitude of Chinese businesses and entrepreneurs who are building great products and offering great resources.

If you are interested in working in China, building a business in China, or working with a Chinese company, I encourage you to attend our event on Tuesday the 13th from 12:30 to 2:00pm in the Newman Library Building, 7th floor conference center.  You can register for the event and get more details here.

David Benisrael
MBA Candidate/Field Fellow, Baruch SBDC