The Week 2010

Day 1 - Entrepreneurship Workshops

The entrepreneur workshops on Monday got everyone thinking, finalists and coaches alike!

‘‘Non-competitive feedback is really important, and so rare!’’ Diane Hankerson, coach.

‘‘Fantastic! The coaches went straight to the point, 'here are your strengths, here are your weaknesses, now get working!'’’ Thereza Bukow, finalist for Latin America.

‘‘It's all so valuable I feel as though I'm already a winner!’’ Mah Hussain-Gambles, finalist for Europe.

‘‘It's great being part of social entrepreneurship and new mentalities,’’ Laure Fau, workshop coach.

"The quality is so high! We're all thinking about what we have to do tonight to better our presentations!’’ Jacqueline Thong, finalist for North America.

But first, dinner! After a hard day's work and before a night of reflection, coaches and finalists got together for food and wine. Bienvenue à Paris!

Day 3 - Presentation in front of the Jury

The presentation in front of the international jury is the most awaited (and feared) moment of week!
The finalists tweak their presentations and confer with their mentors as they wait to be called to their Jury Room.
Once inside, the presentation they have spent such time preparing is divided into two parts: first, an oral presentation of their business, using all multimedia back-ups they choose. Then comes the ‘Question and Answer’ section: having carefully studied each finalist’s proposal and business plan, the Jury members raise any issues that have not been covered and probe the key points they deem paramount for success.

The presentations may seem long, but they pass in a heartbeat. It’s a one-shot opportunity, so preparation is essential, just like pitching to investors in the business world.

Whatever the outcome, everyone will concur: tough or compelling, auspicious or testing, this dialogue with their Jury is an invaluable part of the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards.

Day 4 - Opening of the Women's Forum

Today the finalists were at the Women's Forum, where French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde spoke this morning.

They heard inspiring discussions between speakers such as Anne Lauvergeon, CEO of Areva and Xin Zhang, CEO, Soho China, PRC on the topic “Change in business: What do we need now for true innovation?’’.

Valentina Peroni, finalist Latin America, participated in the session about Women’s entrepreneurship: Breaking through to a level playing field.

“Being invited to take part in a brainstorm session about women’s entrepreneurship, hosted by Goldman Sachs was highly inspiring. I found myself talking alongside people like Beth Brooke, a global Vice Chair at Ernst & Young, who is considered among the most influential women in the world. That’s hardly an everyday experience for me!” said Valentina.

A special Discovery session “From idea to action: Fifteen entrepreneurs who are making it happen’’ was also held on the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards Corner giving all the finalists an opportunity to present their businesses.

2 minutes to pitch a lifetime passion!

Day 5 - Second day of the Women’s Forum

The program on the second day of the Women’s Forum focused on the Environment and the Green Economy. Just as stimulating as the first day, it did not allow the finalists to rest!

Especially as the day started early with the all-important Jury feedback sessions – half an hour for each finalist and Laureate – a private sitting to discuss their performance and help them focus on any weaker points or goals.

During the rest of the day, important topics like ‘‘How to make the green economy a killer app for business and a reality for the planet?’’ or ‘‘Three clean renewable energies to fight for, and how to broaden their impact for all?’’ were discussed.

On the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards Corner, two social entrepreneurs sat before a group in the afternoon to talk about ‘‘For-profit and non-profit, a dual agenda" and shared their wisdom and inspiration as social entrepreneurs. The theme was inspired by the number of social entrepreneurs the Awards see every year. While both speakers operate for-profit businesses, these businesses operate to help people in their communities. Zoë Dean-Smith, Senior Director of Vital Voices’ Global Women Artisan Export Development Program, Swaziland, has dedicated her career to supporting emerging handcraft export organizations and to promoting awareness about issues concerning Swaziland such as the HIV/AIDS situation, women’s rights and basic rural community needs. She conducts her business in Swaziland, a country that does not allow women to own property or to have bank accounts.

Aziz Senni is Chairman of Business Angels des Cités (BAC) France and a self-made entrepreneur and advocate for the economic development of the French banlieues — impoverished suburban areas — where he grew up in and started his first business. He operates an investment fund that invests in entrepreneurs who are from or conduct their businesses in underserved communities. Both of these social entrepreneurs responded to questions from the moderator regarding the need for businesses that help people to be profitable in order to be sustainable.

Day 6 - Third and last Day of the Women’s Forum

After an intense week, the 15 finalists and Laureates of the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards as well as the Jury Members fly back to their home countries.

It’s sad for everyone to say goodbye. But great friendships, ideas and collaborations have been spawned so we know we will keep in touch!

“Meeting all these wonderful women and their ideas has been an amazing experience... I am thrilled!” Thereza Bukow, finalist for Latin America.

You can watch the film summarizing all the activities of the week here