Symposium attracts African entrepreneurs

Professor Dmitry Repin from Moscow delivered the opening address, highlighting three points, he believes, leads to successful entrepreneurial ventures. They are; “focusing on opportunities, not problems, having a customer-centered approach to creating new goods and services, and remembering that design matters through user experience.”

Prof Repin further advised that, “To build a successful entrepreneurship ecosystem one should apply the principles for creating successful entrepreneurial ventures to his/her own activity.”

Other panelists also shared insights on current topics within the entrepreneurial domain. Webb Ndlovu, lecturer and chairman of the Banking Department from the National University of Technology in Zimbabwe commented on funding start-up entrepreneurs. He said that money with no knowledge is dangerous. Also, creating some kind of boundary or discipline in terms of evaluating outcomes is essential; else the lending of funds is futile.

Dr Kerrin Myres, director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship at Wits Business School (WBS) said, “It is particularly difficult to get an entrepreneur into a classroom. Spending time being educated compared to driving profits is unfortunately an unattractive pastime. In this light, these gatherings are crucial conduits to allow for us as educators and even successful entrepreneurs to share ideas on how to ensure that our teaching is attractive and above all, practical."

“On behalf of Wits Business School, I would like to thank all the representatives who participated and the Centre for Business Development at the University of Johannesburg for co-hosting with us. The symposium generated constructive outcomes which I hope will be used in our respective institutions,” said Prof Mthuli Ncube, executive director of Wits Business School and President of the South African Business Schools Association.