Yesterday went to an exiting initiative by the Rabobank (the largest bank in the Netherlands). Together with local authorities and the University of Twente they facilitate a reintegration project for the unemployed. The central idea is to provide an entrepreneurial space for the jobless, they have the time to work on their ideas for half a year, work out a business plan and start a business of their own, without loosing their unemployment benefits. Yesterday these new entrepreneurs showed of their products and services. Ranging from wedding planners to exiting ideas on packaging.
Together with the University of Twente we will look into how entrepreneurs use their network to support and enhance their business. Two conclusions can be drawn already, the first is they use them extensively; the second is that the web plays no role what so ever at this moment in time. Interesting to see why and how we can start a process of acceptance of the web as a useful extra tool for finding partners, suppliers and customers and collaborating with them.
We had some interesting discussions with two students and one of the speakers for the day. One of the students was there as part of an assignment to see what the economic consequences are for the local community of the Rabobank initiative, the other as a case for how entrepreneurs learn. Will be interesting to see what they have to tell. Our discussion with one of the speakers (Roel Pieper, Lectorate E-Business at the University of Twente) on how to use the web for collaboration and learning will get a follow up in August.
No comments:
Post a Comment