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ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE SMALL FIRMS ASSOCIATIONAVINEMCNALLY DISCUSSES
of
The Small Firms Association National Annual Conference ‘Say You’re One of Us’ is a cry from small businesses to be recognised for the contribution owner managers have made in building not just the Ireland of today,but the vital contribution that the entrepreneurial sector will make in sustaining the Ire- land of tomorrow. This year’s conference is calling on Irish owner managers to
raise their voice and proclaim how entrepreneurs and small businesses are both different and important. Entrepreneurs are important because they create jobs.Small businesses are differ- ent because they are managed by people who take risks. ‘Say You’re One of Us’ is a clear message from the small- business sector, calling all aspects of Irish society to action. It calls on theGovernment,political leaders, financial institutions, businesses and consumers to show their support for the small- business community; to show they identify with and recognise the importance of the small-business sector and that they sup- port the dreams and hopes of owner managers for their busi- nesses into the future. We will hear from expert speakers on what they believe are
the policy actions that are needed to support the small indige- nous sector and how we can learn from our past mistakes and focus on the key areas of support moving forward. It is more important now than ever before that SMEs receive the sup- port and advice they need to negotiate their way through the
44 OWNER MANAGER VOL 3 ISSUE 4 2010 DUBLINCASTLE ON16 SEPTEMBER u THE NEED TO EMBRACE FAILURE
This is the real difference between Ireland and the US, where business failure is viewed as a learning curve that creates stronger entrepreneurs for the future. The Irish attitude and stigma towards those who fail in busi-
ness needs to be drastically changed. Specific issues relating to personal guarantees and bankruptcy laws should be examined to ensure that we truly have a supportive entrepreneurial culture where people can learn from their failures, rather than being put out of business forever. Small business owners are the true risk takers – they should
be celebrated, not victimised.We need acceptance from the Government,banks,media and society generally that entrepre- neurs who take risks are our future – theymust be encouraged. Small businesses are andwill remain the backbone of the Irish
economy in terms of their adaptability and their innovation in products, processes and services. As well as this, the opportu- nity the sector provides for flair and creativity will enable new and existing small businesses to grow and create employment.
s
WHAT’S ONTHE AGENDA FOR THE SFA ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO BEHELD AT
difficult economic period. During the booming economic growth years, entrepreneurs
were held in high esteem; now the deep-seated envy inherent in the Irish psyche has reappeared, as media coverage contin- ues to highlight business failure again and again.
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