It’s been a tough two years for women. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, women were hit harder by job losses, leading many to call it a “she-cession”. But as the pandemic worse on we started to see wider impacts too.
Category: Entrepreneurship
Making data dance: The key to SME scale up?
A number of barriers, notably uneven access to data, technology and skills hold too many SMEs back from making the most of new opportunities created by the data economy. Outdated data infrastructure, management practices and cultures are a factor.
The secrets of SMEs – and how to protect them
For many SMEs, knowledge is power. Their business – and competitive edge – depends on their knowledge of markets and their product. Businesses can protect some of their most strategic insights through trade secrets.
From one crisis to another: what price for SMEs?
The stock of outstanding SME loans grew at around 5% in 2020, a record high since 2007. Many weakened businesses were expecting respite as their troubles began to recede, but Russia’s war against Ukraine has sent a tidal wave through OECD countries and regions.
In the driving seat: How entrepreneurs can move us into the fast lane for the green transition
Countries across the world are now gearing up to face the most profound shared challenge in generations: climate change. The road to net zero will be paved with innovative green technologies – the bread and butter of the green entrepreneur. With the right policy support, these entrepreneurs can drive the green transition.
Is culture really good for you? Impacts on well-being
The Covid-19 pandemic created a new normal of consuming culture from the couch. Policy makers must take advantage of the great re-opening to expand participation and create equitable access to culture. Where do they start to improve well-being?
Is financial diversification the key to SME resilience?
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs were hit extremely hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. To invest in growth and greening and play a full part in the recovery, we need to enable them to tap into alternative financial instruments.
Women mean business – how we can help them succeed
Recent research suggests that women-founded businesses perform better over time and deliver higher revenue – more than twice as much per dollar invested – than men-founded businesses. In addition, women-founded start-up teams create more jobs for women – they employ 2.5 times more women than all-male start-up teams.