Entrepreneurs outline their vision for a better future

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London, 23 March 2010 - Entrepreneurs from across the world addressed the key issues facing global society at the inaugural Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of the Year Forum held in Zurich, Switzerland from March 14 – 16.

The past finalists and winners of the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award  that attended represented almost US$4b of annual turnover and employ close to 20,000 people.

At the Zurich gathering, the 82 entrepreneurs from 24 countries tackled topics relating to enterprise and innovation, education and the environment. Their debate was inspired by thought-provoking presentations from such speakers as best-selling business author Dr. Jonas Ridderstråle, neuro-scientist and writer, Baroness Susan Greenfield; influential environmentalist, Dr. Bjørn Lomborg, and the founder of IDS Scheer AG, Prof. Dr. August-Wilhelm Scheer.

Delegates identified a raft of areas where they could make a difference with agreements focused on three specific areas:

  • Collaborative, innovative approaches have never been more important in addressing one of the world’s biggest challenges of today – and tomorrow – the response to climate change.  The result was a call to action to explore a combined solution – one that would bring governments, big business and entrepreneurial thinking closer together – not one that drove them further apart.
  • An agreement to create a multicultural video to show young people that you don’t need a Harvard degree to succeed in business – just the will and passion to succeed and make a difference. Ernst & Young has committed to support the distribution of the video to schools across the Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA) region.
  • An agreement that it’s vital to create a culture that opens up an organization to innovation. Employees must be given the time and space to innovate – and permission to fail. By nurturing this kind of innovation culture, we can create the next generation – of products, of thinking, and, ultimately, of entrepreneurs.

Julie Teigland, EMEIA Strategic Growth Markets Leader, said: "Entrepreneurs are key to economic recovery: they are more optimistic, pragmatic, faster to react, see collaborative opportunities and ultimately take great ideas to market.

“Their unique skills and “can do” approach means they are equipped to develop solutions to the issues standing in the way of achieving progress and long term economic success. This has been demonstrated by the debate and next steps that this group has committed to deliver. The video, for example, that we will produce and help to distribute, will help motivate the next generation. The sharing of ideas relating to climate change responses could result in new collaborations and breakthrough thinking. In summary, the debate was unified by a common theme: the need for entrepreneurs – and wider society – to embrace new ways of thinking and working.”

For more information visit http://www.eoy-forum.com

About Ernst & Young’s Strategic Growth Markets Network
 
Ernst & Young’s worldwide Strategic Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of rapid-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we’ve helped many of the world’s most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early stage venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business achieve its potential. It’s how Ernst & Young makes a difference.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year®
 
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

Notes to editors:

  • Entrepreneurs from across the world addressed the key issues facing global society at the inaugural Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of the Year Forum, hosted in Zurich, Switzerland from March 14 – 16 2010.
  • The past finalists and winners of the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award  attending the Forum represented almost US$4b of annual turnover and employed close to 20,000 people.
  • At the Zurich gathering, the 82 entrepreneurs from 24 countries tackled topics relating to enterprise and innovation, education and the environment.
  • Speakers included: best-selling business author Dr. Jonas Ridderstråle, neuro-scientist and writer, Baroness Susan Greenfield; influential environmentalist, Dr. Bjørn Lomborg, and the founder of IDS Scheer AG, Prof. Dr. August-Wilhelm Scheer.  A closing keynote was given by Bertrand Piccard, Adventure and the leader of Solar Impulse: a project to fly the first solar plan around the world.
  • A recorded video introduction was made by HRH, The Prince of Wales in relation to The Princes Trust and Ernst & Young’s role as a gold patron.


About Ernst & Young 

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax and legal, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 144,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

Ernst & Young expands its services and resources in accordance with clients’ needs throughout the CIS. 3,400 professionals work at 16 offices throughout the CIS in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Ekaterinburg, Togliatti, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Almaty, Astana, Atyrau, Baku, Kyiv, Donetsk, Tashkent, Tbilisi, Yerevan and Minsk.

For more information, please refer to www.ey.com.