Hidden resource for the Hidden resource for the modern economymodern economy

Vision of Estonian woman-entrepreneur

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Silva Tomingas

Estonian Union of Women in Business

Cross-border Search Conference"Women, Innovation, Social networking"

15th - 16th December 2009Haapsalu, Estonia

Hidden resource for the modern economy

Vision of Estonian woman-entrepreneur

2 Silva TomingasSilva Tomingas

Popular myths as main obstacles to the growth of world economy

Myth 1: Men are more suitable for business than women are.

Myth 2: Men are more suitable for leadership than women are.

There is no evidence to prove it. We all meet brilliant businesswomen and women leaders everywhere everyday.

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Hidden resource for the modern economy

Vision of Estonian woman-entrepreneur

3 Silva TomingasSilva Tomingas

Present world economy wastes the biggest human resource - the investment already made into women's education

In many countries (including Estonia) women have higher education than men.

Investments into women have been bigger than into men

Women's higher education is not used as a tool for developing entrepreneurship worldwide.

It is the biggest waste of human resource in the history of mankind

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Hidden resource for the modern economy

Vision of Estonian woman-entrepreneur

4 Silva TomingasSilva Tomingas

Who am I, giving you advice?

21 years of entrepreneurship President and CEO of TEA Language Center Ltd and

TEA Publishers Ltd Market leader in language teaching and dictionaries publishing in

Estonia Exporting to 45 countries 19 years of membership in organizations (Estonian Union of Women

in Business, Council of Junior Achievement Estonia, Zonta International, Estonian Women Association, National Broadcasting Council, Council of Tallinn Children Hospital Foundation)

Last, but not least - 37 years dedicated wife, mother of 2 sons and grandmother of 2 girls

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Hidden resource for the modern economy

Vision of Estonian woman-entrepreneur

5 Silva TomingasSilva Tomingas

My hurdles in the way to success

Most Soviet industry leaders had been men, who used good opportunity to privatize majority of businesses. I had to start my publishing company from ground 0 and unfair competition.

Access to bank loan was difficult (my good business plan was not enough versus simple application from male competitors).

I2 (= lack of Important Information) Poor access to I2: Women usually do not belong to the councils, commissions and other leading institutions, where I2 is.

L2 (= Lack of Lobbying) At evenings women often can not have the possibility to take part of

the club events, sports, sauna (in Europe) etc for lobbying (reason: children and family).

At council's and commission meetings women usually are not present (they are not members).

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Hidden resource for the modern economy

Vision of Estonian woman-entrepreneur

6 Silva TomingasSilva Tomingas

Implementation of women into business:

key to the main door to the modern economy

key to huge economic growth

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Hidden resource for the modern economy

Vision of Estonian woman-entrepreneur

7 Silva TomingasSilva Tomingas

Implementation of women into business is an achievable task: support measures from governments

- valuing women as real business people and as real leaders (= new point of view, new policy)

mentoring women by successful business people as a system, supported by government (f.e. via lower taxes, some other benefits for the mentors)

connection to the practice from the beginning (to see, feel and touch, how does everyday business function)

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Hidden resource for the modern economy

Vision of Estonian woman-entrepreneur

8 Silva TomingasSilva Tomingas

There is only one modern economy - with women leaders and women entrepreneurs in it

The biggest winner is the country, which is capable to use investments in women already made quicker than others.

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