Women entrepreneurs in 21st century workspace: What difference they bring to the tables

The narrative around women entrepreneurship is that women need to be men to become successful. It takes aggression, assertiveness, and risk-taking abilities to run a business which are masculine qualities possessed only by men. Since women lack these qualities, they cannot make up for the cut-throat competitive world of business. Hence, women are often advised not to take up entrepreneurship. The discourse seems to be changing now as more women are embracing entrepreneurship and becoming successful. In both developed and developing countries, women entrepreneuship is celebrated as a powerful force of socio-economic change and growth. Women are breaking the barriers and entering a wide range of industries giving competition to their male counterparts today. Women entrepreneurs are proving to be resilient and innovative, developing new business models and approaches that are changing the face of entrepreneurship. So what all factors are contributing to the success of women ventures? Let us look at the qualities women bring in the arena of entrepreneurship that is helping them build businesses of value.

Leading with emotional intelligence in business dealings:

Men and women entrepreneurs have their own ways of doing business. Their varied lived experiences and values are bound to reflect in their entrepreneurship style. Men and women entrepreneurs may solve a problem differently and may behave emotionally in different ways in their ways of handling everyday activities of businesses. However, as compared to men, women entrepreneurs lead their businesses with emotional intelligence more than their male counterparts. Women have a different way of recognising, understanding, and managing emotions, as well as the emotions of others. They tend to have a greater capacity for empathy, communication, and relationship nurturing. Women are better at using certain soft skills that are crucial for effective leadership and superior business performance. Women entrepreneurs are skilled at conflict management and managing difficult conversations as they are adaptable. This helps to create a cohesive, strong, and motivated team at the workplace that is devoted to a common cause. Women possess greater sensitivity to any situation or circumstance which helps them foster stronger relationships with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. Though emotional intelligence is not exclusive to women, and men also exhibit this leadership style. But the important point here is that women recognize the value of emotions more than men, and hence women entrepreneurs lead their businesses with emotional intelligence differently than their men entrepreneurs.

Methodological in dealing with risks:

Generally, it is believed that women do not have a great appetite for risk. Businesses and their survival are built on the risk-taking abilities of entrepreneurs. It is taken for granted that men tend to be more comfortable with taking risks than women. Why not? Society and societal expectations have always favoured men after all. It's easy for men to raise debts and invest. On the other hand, forget society, even family members would think twice before lending money to women for business. Leaving these facts aside! Women are more cautious in nature and their decision-making is also different than males. Women are more detail-oriented and methodological. Before making any decision, women may plan to capture the ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ of every individual aspect of their businesses. Unlike men who tend to be quick to react, women connect the dots to decide how to react to risk. Women entrepreneurs give weightage to the expertise of their team members as well.

Growth ambition:

Often it is said that women cannot become better entrepreneurs as they are less ambitious. One of the reasons why this myth persists is because there is gender stereotyping in society. Women are said to be less competitive, assertive, and less confident than men. This can lead to a biased perception of women’s ambition levels and may underestimate their actual drive and determination. However, there are various research to suggest that women entrepreneurs have great creativity, motivation, and resilience. They are more likely to be driven by purpose and long-term growth ambitions and aim to make a positive impact in their society. Since their vision is more oriented toward long-term growth, they are more detailed oriented and strive for steady and sustainable approaches in their business dealings. Women entrepreneurs seek the well-being of society as a whole through their businesses and hence take up businesses that are long-term. They are not the quick-entry and quick-exit kind and they don’t completely look at making quick profits. They are driven by the purpose of sustainable profits.

This article was an attempt to look at the discourse of women entrepreneurship from the angle of their strengths and not weaknesses. It looks at the qualities that women possess that are making them successful in the entrepreneurial world.

What small businesses can do to expand during recession

 

Recession is a period for small businesses to reconsider and re-align their strategies. During a downturn, small firms can look for fresh growth prospects by finding new markets, creating new goods or services, or altering how they run their businesses to cut costs and boost productivity. They can also streamline their operations to benefit in the future. Small firms can cut expenses and boost their bottom line by automating procedures, cutting waste, and improving their supply chains.

In order to survive a downturn, small firms may need to turn to new markets. By locating new markets, creating products or services that address their requirements, and putting new marketing techniques into practice to reach them, they can make use of innovation's power through the use of technology. Technology is an altering force for businesses. It can change how businesses run, and small firms can take advantage of this power of innovation by making good use of technology. Small businesses can stay ahead of the market and come out stronger from the recession by employing technology to automate procedures, enhance customer experience, and develop new products or services in a new market. Small businesses can access new technology, knowledge, and resources that can help them create inventive solutions and increase their consumer base by working with other enterprises as well.

Reaching customers during recession is a tough thing as customers tend to spend less. However, with the help of innovative and engaging marketing tactics, businesses can lure customers to purchase products that otherwise customers would not. Fresh marketing campaigns, social media marketing, and other types of digital marketing can go a long way in driving customer orientation toward buying. For example, food businesses that innovated their models from dine-in to home delivery succeeded through marketing themselves on food delivery company websites. Customer experience is crucial during a downturn, and small firms can concentrate on enhancing their customer experience. This may entail creating brand-new goods or services that satisfy consumer needs, enhancing their website or mobile application, or offering first-rate client support.

Small businesses can grow during recession by reviewing their business models, streamlining operations, switching to new markets, utilising technology, collaborating with other companies, developing innovative marketing strategies, and putting a strong emphasis on the customer experience. Small firms can adjust to shifting market conditions and weather the recession by adopting these methods into their business models. Small businesses can thrive even in difficult economic circumstances if they follow proper strategies.

Why small businesses should keep an eye on marketing trends

 

Small businesses face numerous challenges in their day-to-day work. In today's cutthroat marketplace, small firms must overcome obstacles to succeed. To stay competitive, win over new clients, and successfully use their limited resources, they must continuously come up with new strategies. Observing marketing trends is one method small firms might address these issues. The newest methods and approaches used by firms to reach out to their target market and market their goods or services are known as marketing trends. Small businesses can find new ways to connect with and engage with their clients, set themselves apart from rivals, and boost their bottom line by keeping abreast of marketing trends. Some of the most important reasons why small businesses should keep an eye on marketing trends are:

To maintain a competitive edge: Maintaining a competitive edge is the way to stand up among your competitors. To compete in the fast-paced business environment of today, carving out your space requires knowing the pulse of the market. Small businesses can find fresh tactics and methods that will set them apart from their rivals by keeping an eye on marketing trends.

Effectively manage restricted resources: Time, money, and human resources are frequently scarce for small firms. Small businesses can concentrate their resources on the approaches that will most successfully reach and engage their target audience by keeping an eye on current marketing trends. With less effort, they may meet their marketing objectives and maximize their return on investment (ROI).

Adapt to changes in consumer preferences: Consumer behaviors and tastes are never static. This dynamism allows for the emergence of new marketing trends. Small businesses can better comprehend and adjust to the changing expectations of their clients by keeping an eye on these developments. Small businesses can invest in social media marketing to reach customers where they are. For instance, if consumers are increasingly using social media to research and buy products, products can be successfully marketed through social media platforms.

Build brand awareness and reputation: Small firms can benefit from keeping an eye on marketing trends. By implementing the most recent marketing approaches and strategies, small businesses can portray a contemporary, forward-thinking brand image that appeals to their target audience. By doing this, they can draw in more clients, keep those they already have, and develop a devoted following.

Adapt to technology: New platforms and technologies frequently lead to new marketing trends. Small businesses may stay current on the newest technology and take advantage of it by watching these developments. Small businesses can employ augmented reality, for instance, to develop interesting and interactive experiences for their clients.

Enhance customer engagement and retention: By offering fresh and inventive ways to connect with their audience, marketing trends can assist small businesses in enhancing customer engagement and retention. Small businesses can produce interactive content to engage their clients and entice them to share it with their networks, for instance, if trendy interactive material like quizzes and polls.

All these reasons mentioned above necessarily make it important for small businesses to keep themselves abreast of marketing trends. Small businesses can find new chances and methods to help them flourish in today's quickly evolving business environment by keeping up with the most recent marketing trends.

4 ways small businesses can exploit the power of innovation during recession

 

Recession can be a challenging time for businesses, particularly for small businesses that may have limited resources. Business executives, during a recessionary trend, attempt to make the most of their finances in the face of uncertainty. Although some businesses abruptly cut workers, others gradually reduce marketing expenditures. However, there is no need to stop supporting anything that spurs innovation, say brainstorming sessions or engagement with research and development teams. Innovation can assist companies in a recession to not merely survive but also prosper. It is the catalyst for long-term growth and puts you ahead of the race. Research shows that companies that innovate perform well in the industry. However, you need not put in all your cash into innovation. Here are some other simple ways to exploit the power of innovation during a recession to stay competitive.

Encourage intrapreneurial minds: Intrapreneurs, or entrepreneurs inside the organization, are the best assets small businesses can have. One of the best advantages of small businesses is the close-knit association among people working together driven by the purpose of growth. Small business employers can always take the help of intrapreneurial minds who know how to prioritize action, manage ambiguity, and stay close to the right problems to solve. Frugal innovation as such is based on empathy, solving the right problem, and focusing on the core need.

Encourage an innovation-oriented culture on a continuous basis: Innovation should be a continual process rather than a one-time occurrence. By cultivating an innovative culture within their organisation, businesses may frequently capitalise on the power of invention. This may entail offering employees training and resources, developing rewards for innovation, and promoting experimentation and risk-taking.

Motivate your employees to work more efficiently: The more you can inform your staff about past innovation triumphs, the more probable it is that they will reconsider their role in the innovation process. Meetings, webinars, and other tools can be used to teach your team about earlier inventions that emerged from economic downturns. You may talk about how patents increased during the 1930s Great Depression or may tell them about how startups grew during the recent pandemic. Also, if you can rely on group problem-solving, your limited resources will go further.

Give your staff more freedom to experiment with their ideas: You may use your employees' creativity and problem-solving abilities to create innovation within your company by encouraging them to share their ideas and thoughts. By allowing them to experiment with fresh concepts, goods, or services, businesses can harness the potential of innovation. They can then refine their efforts in response to client feedback. This can assist companies in creating cutting-edge products that address the evolving needs of their clients. Allowing workers to experiment with small ideas does not cost you more. Also, you may not want employees to make expensive products or follow through on ideas without conducting mini sprints to gauge effectiveness along the way.

To sum up, companies may leverage innovation during a downturn by changing their perspective, spotting new opportunities, working with others, embracing technology, empowering their staff, experimenting and iterating, and cultivating an innovative culture. Businesses can respond to shifting market conditions and come out of the crisis stronger by adopting these techniques into their company models. Using innovation's potential can assist companies in not only surviving difficult economic times but also thriving.

The Future of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship, in the future, will be impacted by technological advancements, and shifts in consumer behaviour. The continuous and rapid expansion of e-commerce, growing notion of sustainability and social impact in business, and the increase of entrepreneurship in emerging economies are all significant trends. In addition to changing the way people think about establishing and expanding businesses, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are set to play a significant role in opening up new options for entrepreneurs. Overall, it is anticipated that the future of entrepreneurship will be dynamic and constantly changing, offering fascinating new chances for creative thinkers and risk-takers. Below are few trends that have already started showing its rooted presence in the field of entrepreneurship and enterprise development.

Technology in businesses: Automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) are in good use these days in business development and expansion and in the near future these will further revolutionize the way entrepreneurs operated their businesses. Powerful AI tools to streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks, and help make better-informed decisions will be increasingly used in the coming times. This will create entirely new business models, such as on-demand services and the sharing economy. Customers of today are unlike how they were 10 years back. The younger group of tech-savvy customers is creating opportunities for businesses to expand in an innovative way. Mobile commerce and e-commerce have allowed access to new markets and entrepreneurs just need to look for ways to reach these groups through technology. This is possible just at the click of a computer button now. Data about customers is just at arm’s length and entrepreneurs can make the best use of this data in the expansion of their businesses. The best benefit of technological revolution in AI and Data automation is that it can be used to make informed choices as per market demand. Technology is a boon for those businesses and entrepreneurs who can adapt while it’s a curse for those traditional businesses who cannot. Entrepreneurs need to be proactive in adapting technology to their best advantage to stay in the race.

Importance of sustainability, spirituality, and social impact in business: Several factors will lead to the rise of spiritual and social entrepreneurship in the future. Consumers today have a sense of social awareness and want to contribute to businesses that contribute to social good. Businesses with a good track record of corporate social responsibility are found to have a soundtrack of sales. More and more social enterprises are expected to emerge, which is driven by the purpose of doing something for society rather than profit. Similarly, entrepreneurship is expected to be placed on the foundations of spirituality and sustainability. The demand for spiritual goods and services, such as products, workshops, and classes, as well as personal and spiritual coaching, may rise as more people look for meaning and purpose in their lives. Additionally, because technology has made it simpler for people to reach a larger audience and market their goods and services online, it may have contributed to the growth of spiritual entrepreneurship. It's crucial to remember that these are only possibilities and that the final result might not be what was planned. Investors and consumers are becoming more interested in goods and services that benefit the environment and society.

Digital trends and growth of platforms: It is necessary for aspiring entrepreneurs to keep a close eye on their potential customer base as their consumption trend is continuously changing. This information about a particular trend among customers can then be used to better market products or businesses towards the target demographic, leading to an all-important increase in sales and overall growth of the brand. The information can also be used to direct audiences toward a business offering. Digital trends affect how entrepreneurs identify opportunities, reach customers and define their businesses. To stay competitive and succeed, entrepreneurs need to stay abreast of the changes. Online marketplaces and e-commerce have changed the way demand and supply are taken care of. AI and machine learning is transforming the way businesses analyse data and make decisions. The growth of social media and mobile technology has also eased the entrepreneurs’ reach to the target customers and build their brand. There is a sharp increase in the number of businesses that have been using these tools and a platform model wherein a company can rely on a large and prominent user base to grow, achieve prominence and maintain long-term success.

Rise of entrepreneurship in emerging markets: Developing countries are becoming more entrepreneurial, with new businesses and industries emerging in areas such as technology, tourism, and renewable energy. Entrepreneurship in the tourism sector can result in the development of new tourist attractions, local company growth, and the provision of jobs for nearby communities. In the field of renewable energy, entrepreneurship can be seen to a great extent as the avenue looks promising in the long run. Renewable energy businesses have the ability to both alleviate the global problem of climate change and open up new commercial opportunities. A new class of entrepreneurs is taking every chance to establish a foothold in the tourism and energy sectors. Demand for eco-friendly travel experiences is increasing as a result of the growth of sustainable tourism, which presents chances for business owners to develop new goods and services to satisfy this demand.

Remote work on the rise with digital nomadism: The Covid pandemic opened the arena of new work culture for businesses and individuals worldwide. Remote working and digital nomadism have changed the way people work and live and it is expected that more organizations will embrace these cultures. Businesses would like to fully exploit the benefits of these models that provide flexibility and access to a huge talent pool. Companies can save on overhead costs associated with the physical operation of office space. The ability of digital nomads to work and travel simultaneously will open up new opportunities for companies that serve this expanding industry.

The Gig Economy evolution: The global Gig economy market size was valued at USD 355000 million in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 873000 million by 2027. This will create new opportunities for entrepreneurship. The availability of technology is the key driver of the gig economy as it makes it easier for people to find work. For entrepreneurs, gig workers are a big workforce. Also, the gig economy allows entrepreneurs to be their own bosses and have greater control over their work. It is also a low-cost way to start a business with a huge ready customer base that offers opportunities to scale their businesses quickly. The gig economy is likely to play a significant role in shaping the future of entrepreneurship.

In conclusion, it is definite that the future of entrepreneurship is promising as technology and analytics are two powerful tools helping shape the entrepreneurial world. More and more young people are taking the challenge of entrepreneurship in present times than during the times of our parents and grandparents. Entrepreneurship offers a brighter picture as it unfolds new ways to do business.