Entrepreneurs exchange ideas
Eight successful entrepreneurs recently gave their young counterparts the opportunity to "pitch" their ideas during a Speed Networking Session. The entrepreneurs, who included Joseph Gasan, chairman of the Gasan Group and Helga Ellul, CEO of Playmobil...
Eight successful entrepreneurs recently gave their young counterparts the opportunity to "pitch" their ideas during a Speed Networking Session.
The entrepreneurs, who included Joseph Gasan, chairman of the Gasan Group and Helga Ellul, CEO of Playmobil Malta Ltd, then participated in a National Entrepreneurship Conference - The Meeting of Minds.
These two events were preceded by a full-day training seminar facilitated by Elizabeth Read of the Royal Academy of Engineering, London.
The two-day event enabled participants to join millions of entrepreneurs from 78 countries around the world in Global Entrepreneurship Week, a series of events aimed at inspiring young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity, and to encourage them to think big, turning their ideas into reality and making their mark.
Speaking at the beginning of the conference, Sandra Dingli from the University of Malta, which organised the Malta events in collaboration with Ernst & Young and Malta University Consulting, spoke of the need to create a world that encouraged perpetual innovation.
Mr Gasan spoke of the importance of starting small, not being afraid of partnerships and of the need to be persistent. Helga Ellul said that Malta had "shaped" her since she settled here in the early 1970s and she was impressed by people's great desire to succeed. "Entrepreneurship is needed in all businesses," she affirmed.
Other speakers included Giorgio Mondovì, managing director of Nestlè Malta Limited, who spoke of the need for "intrapreneurship" which adds value to organisations.
Mario Galea, managing partner of Ernst & Young, stressed that young entrepreneurs should think big and overcome cultural constraints. "It is important to remember the lessons of the past - the prudence of the risk-averse older generation - and add the boldness of the younger generation," he said.
In her keynote address Dr Read listed skill sets which need to be overcome in the local environment, including working in a small country, the concept of setting up a company and the "need to achieve" that is a characteristic of all entrepreneurs.
Another keynote address was delivered by Richard Singer, business development leader, Ernst & Young Central and Southern Europe, who discussed the lessons learnt from the most successful entrepreneurs, notably the winners of the Entrepreneur Of The Year global competition.
During the training seminar, held at Ernst & Young's offices in Msida, the University Rector, Prof. Juanito Camilleri, discussed the importance of cultivating an entrepreneurial mind set with the young entrepreneurs.
The entrepreneurs, who included Joseph Gasan, chairman of the Gasan Group and Helga Ellul, CEO of Playmobil Malta Ltd, then participated in a National Entrepreneurship Conference - The Meeting of Minds.
These two events were preceded by a full-day training seminar facilitated by Elizabeth Read of the Royal Academy of Engineering, London.
The two-day event enabled participants to join millions of entrepreneurs from 78 countries around the world in Global Entrepreneurship Week, a series of events aimed at inspiring young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity, and to encourage them to think big, turning their ideas into reality and making their mark.
Speaking at the beginning of the conference, Sandra Dingli from the University of Malta, which organised the Malta events in collaboration with Ernst & Young and Malta University Consulting, spoke of the need to create a world that encouraged perpetual innovation.
Mr Gasan spoke of the importance of starting small, not being afraid of partnerships and of the need to be persistent. Helga Ellul said that Malta had "shaped" her since she settled here in the early 1970s and she was impressed by people's great desire to succeed. "Entrepreneurship is needed in all businesses," she affirmed.
Other speakers included Giorgio Mondovì, managing director of Nestlè Malta Limited, who spoke of the need for "intrapreneurship" which adds value to organisations.
Mario Galea, managing partner of Ernst & Young, stressed that young entrepreneurs should think big and overcome cultural constraints. "It is important to remember the lessons of the past - the prudence of the risk-averse older generation - and add the boldness of the younger generation," he said.
In her keynote address Dr Read listed skill sets which need to be overcome in the local environment, including working in a small country, the concept of setting up a company and the "need to achieve" that is a characteristic of all entrepreneurs.
Another keynote address was delivered by Richard Singer, business development leader, Ernst & Young Central and Southern Europe, who discussed the lessons learnt from the most successful entrepreneurs, notably the winners of the Entrepreneur Of The Year global competition.
During the training seminar, held at Ernst & Young's offices in Msida, the University Rector, Prof. Juanito Camilleri, discussed the importance of cultivating an entrepreneurial mind set with the young entrepreneurs.