EUWIN Conference
Entrepreneurs have a characteristic that I have always admired – bravery. Life is much simpler and safer if we follow a straight and convenient path … rather than set off on a journey into the unknown along the narrow, winding track of the innovator, where danger lurks under every stone and the destination can't be located using GPS.
You have my admiration and respect for the bravery you have shown in following your convictions.
Daring to think outside the box requires courage.
Forging your own path requires boldness.
And most of all, swimming against the tide and standing by your own convictions requires resolve.
There is an obvious, vital need for strong women among the pioneers of the business world – few things are more important for young people – indeed for society as a whole –than good role models.
Innovation and originality are not the private possessions of a select few. In a modern society, innovation and originality are the basic necessities for continuing prosperity and progress. The demand for renewal in the world we now live in is simply unremitting, and any country that fails to take this into account will inevitably fall behind in international affairs.
The global population is increasing incessantly … and we need creative thought to release humanity's considerable reserves of energy. This is the only way that we can ensure that we create sufficient jobs and a satisfactory standard of living.
When we think about modifying entrenched attitudes – like gender status issues – then we must be prepared to wait for quite some time before we see a change in those attitudes.
And patience is not one of my most obvious attributes – I recently came across a nice phrase that describes my attitude to life perfectly:
Please God, grant me patience – now [straightaway – immediately]!
It is for this reason that I support the temporary implementation of certain actions to bring more equality to gender issues. Let's look at corporate management, for instance. It's a fact that the great majority of company directors are men – and despite applying a range of measures, movement towards equality in this field is far too slow. In 2008, the Nordic countries enacted the 60/40 rule, which states that the proportion of company executives of either gender may not fall below 40%. A regulation of this type will be put in place in Iceland in 2013, and I'm sure it will be a significant step in the battle for gender equality – and an equally significant step in corporate management. The facts are obvious – as a nation, we are not in a position to be able to ignore the ability, determination and intelligence of half of our population. And it's the nature of laws of this type that once we have reached a state of equality in corporate management, the legislation will obviously and naturally become as unnecessary and strange as it was essential when it was introduced.
And as the number of women in positions of responsibility increases, we will have more strong women – and more compelling role models.
Sometimes, we need to apply ourselves to get things moving – it is vitally important for coming generations that they grow up in a situation where equality is natural.
One thing that has brought excellent results and determination in entrepreneurial activities and innovation by women is a study course entitled BRAUTARGENGI, devised by Innovation Centre Iceland and presented in towns all around the country. This 15-week course covers all the steps necessary to bring an idea to fruition – everything from a business plan to contact networks. The women who attend the course each bring their own business ideas, and for almost four months, they work hard towards reaching their final target – to set up a company. Over 900 women have taken advantage of these courses to date – a fantastic level of attendance. And if we look at how many have gone the whole distance and established their own companies, we find that three quarters of them are now running their own businesses. And we are talking about companies of all sizes and types in most commercial sectors.
I spoke about the importance of effective role models who have the courage and tenacity to stand by their convictions. It's difficult to point to particular individuals in this regard … but I would especially like to mention two Icelandic women who are examples of good, effective role models.
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir's election as President of Iceland in 1980 was a turning point – not just here in Iceland, but for the whole world. A lot of water has passed under the bridge during the 30 years since Vigdís was first elected – but the fact that a single mother was able to defy the accepted attitudes and all the traditions of the time to be elected to the highest office in the land was, and remains, everlastingly important. Her election blew away so much dogma and so many beliefs – it was as though a breath of fresh air had ushered in a new era for the entire population.
Björk Guðmundsdóttir has shown real bravery in following her own individual path in the creative arts, and it cannot have escaped anyone that she sticks to her principles at all times. It's a thought-provoking observation that those Icelandic artists who have received greatest international recognition have had the courage to go their own way – they have more often than not followed winding paths far from mainstream boulevards.
I once heard it said that life is like a play – for each situation, there are four different scripts – exactly four. If anyone tried anything different, then it was proof that they were hardly fit to be part of normal society. But times change – and the scripts are rewritten. But there will never be more than four of them!
When I was learning physics in high school, a teacher taught us the laws of science that were true and correct. But those laws are only correct until other better theories become accepted, replacing those that were once the norm. Yes – the world was once flat!
In fact, even in the fast-moving world of fashion, we are told that there is finally an explanation of why some things are beautiful and attractive. Then the next day, there's a whole new line of outfits!
If we don't have the courage to think beyond the bounds of what is allowed, then we'll just stand still, and there will be no progress. Innovation, originality and invention provide us with the momentum to drive forward and create new technology and find fresh ideas. That's why I'm so pleased and proud to have been presented with the opportunity to speak to you today. And of course, I'm especially happy to see so many wonderful role models – women who will encourage other women to get involved and send the message that gender equality should reign in the world of innovation and invention – just as it should in all other sections of society.
Let's go!
Let's go, ladies!