The strength of peer-to-peer networking is in learning together and from others, in conversations and encouragement to growth.” –business developer in Northern Finland
During the ‘Role of the Individual Firm in Economic Resilience' webinar on 6-10-2020 Research Director of MicroENTRE, Anna-Mari Simunaniemi presented the MicroENTRE Growth Network, which already includes about 300 micro-enterprises in 13 different regional core groups. MicroENTRE Growth Network (MGN), which has been coordinated by MicroENTRE® since 2015, entrepreneurs, researchers, and local public business advisory services (PBAS) promote entrepreneurial behaviour through joint activities, such as sharing ideas, peer learning and business development.
Micro-enterprises - with less than ten employees - comprise 93% of all European enterprises and are thus important part of economic life, but have very limited resources. Entrepreneurs often use networks to gain access to economic resources, but networks can also provide entrepreneurs with access to useful, reliable, exclusive, and relevant information, which, in turn, improves the likelihood that entrepreneurial companies will be successful. Through the network, micro-entrepreneurs and PBAS are have direct contact with the university research, which transfers recent research-based knowledge to the network. This peer-to-peer network provides micro-entrepreneurs with a forum that fosters social interaction with other entrepreneurs.
The activities of the MGN take place around the monthly meetings of core groups, managed local development corporations, where entrepreneurs gain peer support, development ideas and new partners. All companies host a meeting on their turn. In these meetings entrepreneurs gain peer support, development ideas and new partners. The network coordinated by the MicroENTRE Centre for Micro-Entrepreneurship at the University of Oulu is aimed at promoting the growth, development, and internationalization of microenterprises.
”In my opinion, there is a good and safe atmosphere in the group and I have been able to bring up painful issues related to entrepreneurship.” –entrepreneur in Lapland region
The host company of the month selects the theme and timing of the meeting. The local development corporation is responsible for recruiting entrepreneurs and arranging the meetings. The MicroENTRE Growth Network concept gives entrepreneurs and researchers a platform through which to share common interests, e.g. small business management and pursuit for business growth, as well as develop, disseminate, and benefit from the acquired common knowledge.
”Peer-to-peer network for entrepreneurs with growth attitude catches the participants with excitement, ideas and courage to try new things.” –business developer in Northern Ostrobothnia region
Image: Advantages of being a part of MicroENTRE Growth Network
This good practice was indicated as a highly valuable project it offers low threshold forum for all entrepreneurs and it is easily modifiable concept for regional or local needs. It provides resources for researchers and PBAS to collaborate in favour for companies and share their knowledge. The strength of peer-to-peer networking is in learning together and from others, in conversations and encouragement to growth. Thus, the resilience is created in exchanging experiences in safe, trustful atmosphere and learning from each other how to adapt on new or changing conditions or business, but also searching for solutions and support together.
The MicroENTRE Growth Network is highly transferable as:
• Microenterprises are most common mode of companies
• It is already dispersing across the regions in Finland
• It is operating in grassroots level and easily adapted to current needs of member companies
• It suits for all microenterprises since the most needs are universal in spite of the business
For further information on MicroENTRE Growth Network™. contact Research Director [email protected] or website https://www.oulu.fi/ksi-eng/microentre
