Stanford: Focus On The Women Entrepreneur Program
About 30 women leaders of fast-growing companies from around the world took part in the second Women Entrepreneur Program at Stanford. We look back at this exclusive week of events.
With classes at the prestigious Stanford Graduate School of Business in California, group activities, visits to businesses in Silicon Valley and networking opportunities, the week-long Women Entrepreneur Program was no holiday for the 30 women who came from 12 countries to take part!
Prestigious speakers
The conferences included a talk by professor Robert A. Burgleman on how strategic leadership is crucial to making a business a success.
Entrepreneurial risk in all its forms was also discussed by George Foster, whose research looks at commercial disputes, financial analysis in growth and company valuation.
A unique experience
To see how the theory translates into practice, participants visited Renovo Motors, a company located at the heart of Silicon Valley. Renovo specialises in designing electric vehicles, inventing the future of car travel and mobility. After the inspiring tour, discussions with the company’s CEO lasted nearly 3 hours!
There was also time for practical sessions: to test the advantages of organisation and leadership, for example. Participants were asked to change a racing car’s tires, working as a team and trying to beat their guide time. During the session, they cut the time needed to change the tires from over a minute to just twelve seconds, while enhancing their sense of being part of a team.
“Whenever you have questions, don't hesitate to contact me.”
The goal of the week-long program was to build team spirit and relationships between women entrepreneurs. Two major events marked the week: a roundtable in San Francisco on mentoring as a factor of success for women entrepreneurs, hosted by Martine Liautaud, President of the Women Initiative Foundation, who has just published a book entitled “Breaking Through” in the United States.
Bank of the West Wealth Management also invited participants to the “Women Changing India” exhibition in their Palo Alto private banking centre.
Lara Tiedens, program director, ended the week by awarding certificates to attendees. The women who participated in the program now form an even closer network, as confirmed by one attendee: “Whenever you have questions related to financial services industry, rail cargo, dining QSR, delivery, construction or social responsibility (NGO) in the area of integral leadership, education and life work integration or looking for any other contact in Poland don't hesitate to contact me.”