Small and micro enterprises are also worthy of awards
SMEs are the mainstay of our economy. However, it is often forgotten that a good 98 percent of SMEs are micro-enterprises. They are "there", but rarely in the spotlight. Since December 7, 2019, this has changed: For the first time, a platform for the Cs among SMEs has been created with the Business Expo in Zurich. And explicitly for small businesses, an Entrepreneur Award was also presented for the first time on December 7.
Some sell fashion accessories in individual design, others advise customers on self-management, style or health, and still others earn money with an online store for selected wines. These are just a few examples of how diverse the business fields of small businesses are. Seen in this light, the 40 or so exhibitors at the Business Expo, which took place on December 7 in Zurich, showed an almost representative picture of the small business "scene." Whereby: To speak of a "scene" is almost a bit of a stretch. The fact is that micro and small entrepreneurs make up the largest share of SMEs (98 percent), yet they have hardly any lobby.
Sandra Liliana Schmid also knows this from her own experience. The entrepreneur has already founded several companies and has now been advising mainly the Cs of SMEs as an organizational developer and management consultant since 2013. So she knows the challenges that micro-enterprises face in everyday business life - and also the frustration that can sometimes arise from a lack of recognition. That's why Sandra Liliana Schmid founded the Business Expo, in order to better connect entrepreneurs and position them more strongly in the market. Within six months, she organized the event, searched for and found sponsors, and also created an Entrepreneur Award.
"The event and the award should bring together female entrepreneurs, male entrepreneurs and a broad audience", Sandra Liliana Schmid explains her objective. The event concept was implemented accordingly: on the one hand, visitors to the Business Expo were able to see for themselves what a wide range of small businesses had to offer. On the other hand, concrete and practical information presented by experts was available in workshops: How do I do marketing via Whatsapp? How do I create a corporate film using a smartphone? How do I organize my finances in a low-interest environment? And in two speed networking sessions there was the opportunity to get in touch with like-minded people.
Being a small business owner is a full-time job. However, the achievements of micro-enterprises are hardly ever recognized. That's why Sandra Liliana Schmid launched the Entrepreneur Award. "The award is intended to give these entrepreneurs fame, honor and recognition for their great achievements and tireless work," says Schmid. And it should be an award by companies for companies: All entrepreneurs who run a company with up to 49 employees could be nominated. All nominees had until November 15 to collect votes from the community. A total of 7,473 people took part in the online voting, resulting in the first top 10 list. The independent, four-member jury also analyzed the nominated companies and in turn created a top 10 list. These lists were merged, resulting in the final Top 10 list. On December 7, visitors, together with the jury, were able to choose the Entrepreneur of the Year from the 10 finalists.
The first winner was Michèle Buschor-Frei with her company Caramba Beneficial GmbH. Her business idea: She sells high-quality knitwear made by women in the highlands of Peru under the CARAMBA label. The proceeds from the sales in Switzerland allow these "Mamitas" a way out of poverty and a secure income. Michèle Buschor-Frei's company, which has been on the market for ten years, can thus be cited as a successful example of social entrepreneurship. Michèle Buschor is correspondingly pleased about the win: "For me it is great to have won the prize. It is by no means a matter of course that our brand is so professional today. The prize also belongs to all the people who have supported me and continue to do so."
Michèle Buschor-Frei (left) sells high-quality knitwear with her Caramba Beneficial GmbH, which enables women in Peru to earn a fair living. Sandra Liliana Schmid, founder & organizer of the Business-Expo, is pleased with her.
Sandra Liliana Schmid draws a positive balance overall. "I've already received initial commitments from exhibitors who want to participate again next year," she says. She is now looking for additional partners who want to support her Business Expo idea. The event is expected to take place again in the first week of December 2020.
This text was written by Thomas Berner, Editor-in-Chief of the SME trade media Organizer and Management & Quality.
