A recent study conducted by the UAE’s Ministry of Economy suggests that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) accounted for 60% of the nation’s GDP in 2011. Not only that, but more than 30% of the SMEs in the country are owned by women.
Given the above mentioned statistics, UAE-based learning consultant Carol Talbot said, “Given that a third of SMEs are owned by women, then by default women in business contribute significant amount to the national purse.”
Talbot, a leading expert and Master Trainer in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) who has worked with more than 20,000 people across multiple sectors in her 20 year career, also noted that the UAE statistics mirror global figures that show more than 30% of registered businesses worldwide are female-owned entities. Trend forecasts also suggest that by 2018 more than half of the 9.72 million jobs available in the SME sector in the USA will be created by businesses owned by women.
“Women seem to have emerged from the global financial crisis stronger and savvier, making a real movement of women’s entrepreneurship,” said Talbot, adding that the emergence of women entrepreneurs is also down to the female penchant for passion.
In spite of this good news, Talbot also noted that many women often shy away from following their passion and leading their own businesses to greater heights for fear of being seen as ‘too aggressive and ambitious.’
Talbot believes that facing the self-imposed limits and pushing boundaries will see more women entrepreneurs realising their ambitions saying, “Authentic leadership comes from within and is often guided by deep beliefs held by the individual. And this is good, as research suggests that success is a combination of drive, intellect, excellence, courage – and passion."
– Strategic Solutions
Strategic Solutions was established in 1995 in Dubai, UAE and offers strategic marketing, brand management and public relations to companies wishing to communicate to Arabia, and Arabia-based companies looking to communicate to global markets, under the tag line – Questions Answered.
Images: Featured photo: Elsa11 Top photo: Hamptons International
