“Inventing a job is better than finding a job…”
July 2011
The challenge for Switzerland, like other innovation-based economies in the world (Europe, North-America, Japan and Korea), is how to stimulate entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs everywhere create much-needed jobs, generate economic growth and contribute to the well-being of all the people involved in the adventure.
Does Switzerland have this entrepreneurial spirit? Well yes, it does! Compared with other innovation-based economies, 5% of Swiss citizens between the ages of 18 and 64 launched or manage a company younger than 3.5 years. That percentage positions Switzerland in the middle of the curve (US 7.6%, Germany 4.2%), which is good – but – we can do much better!
How? By encouraging and lending support to young people to follow this dynamic and rewarding choice of professional lifestyle!
Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Student Survey (GUESSS) shows that in Switzerland, 83% of students who finish their studies (EPF, Universities, HES) would prefer an employee status. In addition, a high percentage of these students do not seem to even be aware of the Swiss programs that facilitate becoming an entrepreneur! Lots of grads interviewed think that state education does not encourage them to launch their own company.
So what is discouraging our newly graduated students from developing their great ideas, or launching their companies? Surprisingly, for very pragmatic reasons:
- They want regular and fixed salaries
- The doe not want irregular working hours
- They want a safe job
Le Réseau promotes another option to just having a job: by encouraging people to choose the entrepreneurship way! How can Switzerland increase the number of innovative entrepreneurs? By intervening early on: by inspiring young children and by showing that entrepreneurship is a beautiful adventure, including the risk. Because the reward can be … highly rewarding!
Le Réseau is starting to work with local and national initiatives, with schools as well as politicians to encourage the young generation to choose the path of entrepreneurship.
Need more information? Call on us.
WHO’S WHO: Virginie Carniel
Read also : Global Innovation Index 2011 – Switzerland ranks first among 125 economies on innovation levels
