VIRTUAL WOMEN\u27S BUSINESS CENTER – INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO ENTEREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Žene poduzetnice koje žele pokrenuti vlastiti posao potrebno je podržati u punom smislu riječi kako bi se njihove ideje realizirale na tržištu. Uspješno svladavanje prepreka na koje nailaze nije jednostavno, a savjeti kako postići svoj cilj poslovanja ponekad dolaze i od koristi koje pruža umrežavanje. Kako se uviđa potreba osiguranja podrške u svim fazama poduzetničkog procesa – od inspiracije za poslovnom idejom, načina financiranja pa sve do realizacije, odnosno prisutnosti na tržištu, u Hrvatskoj je pokrenut prvi Virtualni ženski poduzetnički centar koji je u kratko vrijeme u velikom broju okupio brojne poduzetnice, ali i poduzetnike. U ovom se radu polazi od hipoteze da Virtualni ženski poduzetnički centar predstavlja inovativan pristup u poduzetničkom procesu omogućavajući svim zainteresiranima podršku u smislu besplatnih poduzetničkih edukacija diljem Hrvatske, kao i mogućnost predstavljanja svojih proizvoda i usluga promotivnim kanalom na digitalnoj platformi. Njihova glavna uloga usmjerena je na pružanje stručne i savjetodavne pomoći s ciljem osnaživanja poduzetništva, ali i želja da utječu na zakonodavstvo kako bi se uklanjale prepreke koje priječe razvoj poduzetništva, podrške ženama poduzetnicama, a time i razvoj gospodarstva zemlje. Virtualni ženski poduzetnički centar na adresi www.poduzetnica.hr započeo je s radom prvi dan 2016. godine i u samo pet mjeseci rada u svom registru bilježi 1800 poduzetnica i 43 poduzetnika te predstavlja veliku podršku poduzetnicama ženama, ali i muškarcima koji žele sudjelovati u ovom pokretačkom pothvatu, u smislu tumačenja zakona, prilika i prepreka u poslovanju. Cilj je ovog rada ukazati na ulogu i značaj inovativnog načina razmišljanja u okviru osnaživanja poduzetništva s posebnim naglaskom na žene poduzetnice koje proaktivnim poduzetničkim djelovanjem mogu osigurati vlastitu egzistenciju, ostvariti svoje poslovne potencijale i pridonijeti razvoju gospodarstva.Women entrepreneurs who want to start their own business need a full support in order to realize their ideas in the market. Successfully overcoming obstacles is not easy, and tips to achieve business goals sometimes come from benefits provided by networking. Since the need to ensure support in all phases of the entrepreneurial process is coming to light - from inspiration for business ideas and ways of financing all the way to the realization, namely, the presence on the market, Croatia has launched the first virtual female entrepreneurial centre which has in short time gathered numerous female as well as male entrepreneurs. This paper is based on the hypothesis that female Virtual entrepreneurial centre represents an innovative approach in the entrepreneurial process, allowing support to all interested parties in terms of free enterprise education across the Croatia and the possibility of presenting their products and services through promotional channel on the digital platform. Their main role is focused on providing technical and advisory assistance to strengthen entrepreneurship or the desire to influence legislation that would help eliminate barriers that prevent the development of entrepreneurship, support to female entrepreneurs, and thus the development of the economy of the state. Virtual female entrepreneurial centre at www.poduzetnica.hr began work the first day of 2016. Its register recorded 1,800 entrepreneurs and 43 business owners in just five months, which is a great support to women entrepreneurs, but also for men who want to participate in this driving enterprise, in terms of interpreting the law, opportunities and obstacles to business. The aim of this paper is to point out the role and importance of innovative thinking in the context of strengthening entrepreneurship with special emphasis on women entrepreneurs which can ensure their own existence by proactive entrepreneurial action, realizing their business potential and contributing to the economic development