The document discusses how embracing entrepreneurship can help address economic problems like slowing growth and unemployment. It argues that entrepreneurship fosters innovation, job creation, and optimism. Successful entrepreneurs not only create businesses but whole ecosystems that boost communities. The document provides examples of the impact that entrepreneurs have had in Canada and gives recommendations for governments and communities to develop a more entrepreneurial culture through initiatives like support programs, changing education, and celebrating entrepreneur role models.

1. Creating More
Entrepreneurial Nations
Service. Resilience. Hope.
Rick Spence
rick@rickspence.ca

2. In our global economy, we face
serious problems, together:
@srijan #SrijanWW
• Slowing growth
• high government deficits
• obsolete business models
• nagging unemployment

3. The solution:
Embrace entrepreneurship!
@srijan #SrijanWW

4. At its root, entrepreneurship is not
just about business.
It’s about personal development,
innovation, curiosity, and learning to
be of service to others.
@srijan #SrijanWW

5. Successful entrepreneurs create
innovation and jobs. More subtly,
they create ecosystems of optimism.
@srijan #SrijanWW
By creating more
entrepreneurial
communities, we can
turn success into a
renewable
resource.

6. Entrepreneurs built Canada!
@srijan #SrijanWW

7. Canadian Entrepreneurs
@srijan #SrijanWW

8. Global entrepreneurs
@srijan #SrijanWW

9. Entrepreneurs bring
positive change to markets.
They only succeed if they
can create more value
than their competitors.
@srijan #SrijanWW

10. @srijan #SrijanWW
World
Entrepreneur
of the Year,
Monte Carlo

11. @srijan #SrijanWW
Ruth Oltjer,
Chemi-Pharm

12. @srijan #SrijanWW
Frantisek
Piskanin,
HOPI

13. @srijan #SrijanWW
Jorge Nazer,
Grupo ALTO

14. @srijan #SrijanWW
Innovation
"The great creative
individual... is
capable of more
wisdom and virtue
than collective man
ever can be."
John Stuart Mill

15. Impact of Entrepreneurs
One million small businesses in Canada contribute
more than 30% of Canada’s GDP
• Small businesses employ approximately 5 million Canadians, or just under
half of the private-sector workforce.
• Between 2001 and 2011, small firms accounted for 43% percent of all jobs
created in the private sector.
• In 2010, small businesses were responsible for $77 billion, or about 25
percent of Canada’s export trade.
@srijan #SrijanWW

16. 2015 Startup Canada/Staples Poll
When asked their motives for starting a business, just over half of
respondents cited a desire to fill a gap in the marketplace or gain more
flexibility and independence in their work.
Forty per cent expressed a drive to change the world, and leave a positive
legacy.
@srijan #SrijanWW

17. Corporate Canada’s
Favourite Shopping List
@srijan #SrijanWW

18. Entrepreneurship has the opportunity to
become a renewable resource!
@srijan #SrijanWW

19. Entrepreneurs succeed by creating value.
Their innovation makes other firms better.
@srijan #SrijanWW

20. More big companies
are locating close to
startups to get a
piece of the magic
@srijan #SrijanWW

21. Striving to make Canada “The best place
on earth to start and grow a business.”
@srijan #SrijanWW

22. @srijan #SrijanWW
Start where you are. Do what you can.
How do you create a more
Entrepreneurial Culture?
Help entrepreneurs
in your area by
creating a true
community!

23. If it chooses to embrace entrepreneurs,
your community will thrive.
If your region chooses not to offer support,
your entrepreneurs will face greater risks –
and your community will no longer
determine its own destiny.
@srijan #SrijanWW

24. 10 ways to create a more
Entrepreneurial Nation
1. Create a national financial literacy strategy/campaign
2. A national television “Innovation Channel” devoted to
entrepreneurship, opportunity, technology and disruption
3. Create a “Made in Your Country” national awards program for
entrepreneurship, vision, invention and execution.
4. Develop a national website telling the stories of your 500 top
entrepreneurs, including their best advice.
5. Convince schools to embrace entrepreneurship. Create a national
database on entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs for teachers
@srijan #SrijanWW

25. 10 ways to create a more
Entrepreneurial Nation
6. Refine and expand the “hackathon” model to focus innovators on
new opportunities in non-IT areas: economic development,
homelessness, health care, tourism, etc.
7. Develop a “Scale Up” community initiative: resources to help
established entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level.
8. Make all levels of government more conscious of procuring goods
and services from SMEs.
9. Target bureaucracy and paperwork. Encourage governments to
review and trim back business regulations and filings.
10. Entrepreneurs’ Pledge. Encourage successful entrepreneurs to
give back to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in their community.
@srijan #SrijanWW

26. Entrepreneurial Nations and Communities
solve economic problems by creating skilled,
resilient business leaders who will
generate sustained success.
Your future is in your hands!
@srijan #SrijanWW

27. Rick Spence
@rickspence
rick@rickspence.ca
Thank You!
Take this conversation online by tweeting using the hashtag #SrijanWW