Topics

1. Generations Gap & Knowledge Transfer

The gap between generations of entrepreneurs is existing and it is not a new development. However there is a change in culture and we believe that we could boost the interaction, the exchange and sharing of knowledge between the generations. Moreover we strongly believe that an active interaction at an early stage is highly beneficial for all parties. We are starting to increase the interaction with the 1st Generations Club this year focusing on the following topics:

(Family owned) Businesses: successors getting rare?

More and more family owned businesses face the problem that successors are getting rare. The children are often not interested in continuing the family business. Instead they are striving for international careers in big companies. the problem is an issue for the health of Europe’s economy and also on the agenda of European’s politicians.

What and how can entrepreneurs contribute to entrepreneurial education?

Entrepreneurial education without entrepreneurs is not a realistic approach. Unfortunately, students and entrepreneurs are not involved sufficiently in this debate from our point of view. The discussion is dominated by approaches to “teach” entrepreneurship in the classroom.
We want to discuss with entrepreneurs, politicians and students how entrepreneurs can be involved better in existing programs and how they could be implemented.

What can we all do to foster an entrepreneurial culture?

This is intended to be an open topic. It should show individuals how everyone can foster an entrepreneurial mindset in daily life. We will base the discussion on recommendations and projects available and planned and evaluate if they suit to our imaginations.

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2. Battle for knowledge - strengthen SMEs

The success, especially of SMEs, depends on high qualified, motivated and entrepreneurial employees. Unfortunately SMEs are in a disadvantage concerning their marketing and representation at universities compared with multinational enterprises. Among a lot of students the prejudice that working in a SME is not as interesting and challenging as working for multinationals is still present. We know that this is definitly not true.

We will help SMEs to become more competitive in the battle for knowledge. We strongly believe that SMEs are indispensable for a heathly economy and we therefore provide our knowledge in order to strengthen SMEs.

What makes companies interesting for (entrepreneurial) graduates?

The first question aims to identify important criteria for the attractiveness of companies. What are the factors students looking at when choosing their future employers? Our members have an highly entrepreneurial mindset and are therefore perfectly qualified to speak from the targeted students point of view.

Graduate recruiting for SMEs - how to compete against big companies?

The second part deals with the competitiveness of SMEs directly. It is intended for both generations. Seniors can learn what student organisations like JADE can do for SMEs, how we can help them gaining more visibility and how to promote themselves next to multinationals. Vice versa we will get the chance to listen directly to the needs of SMEs. What are their main problems in graduate recruiting and what do they really need. Fitting both sides together we will be able to publish recommendations that are beneficial to both sides.

The simple ways to become more attractive?

We believe that there are ways to become more attractive which are applicable by SMEs. Every day we are in contact with business promoting themselves as our future employers. We know what counts for students and what does not. Very often there is not a huge marketing budget necessary to raise students attention.

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