MicroHUB Inception meetings

In the first phase of the project, we started with an analysis of the skills and competencies of crafters and artisans. The analysis aimed to identify gaps in their skills and competencies, particularly in the areas of entrepreneurial thinking and digital skills. We wanted to get an answer to the question, what should crafters and artisans know to start/run a successful business?

Who would answer this better than experts in the field? Each of the seven-consortium partners (Slovakia, Sweden, Poland, Malta, Ireland, Greece, and Bulgaria) organised an Inception meeting with stakeholders in a form of semi-structured interviews (or focus groups). All together 80 stakeholders attended these meetings, which took place online.

The stakeholders differed from one partner country to another, but they all came from the environment related to the project´s focus and had extensive experience in the field they worked in. In the Inception meetings participated teaching staff from art schools/universities, artists (photographers, writers, art painters), CEOs and managers (music production, tourist associations, crafts and business units, consulting companies, business agencies) and representatives from self-governing regions, government cultural agencies, and chambers of commerce, to list just a few.

What have we found out? First of all, crafters and artisans need to know how to spot and look out for the opportunity, according to our focus group. Without this skill, they can often miss out. They need to be able to set goals for themselves (short term and long term). What respondents think is important for them is flexibility, adaptability, and innovation. The last two year has shown that it is vital for all entrepreneurs (not only artists) to be creative, to be able to reinvent self (or business) like never before. Crafters and artisans should also be trained in environment–friendly practices and manufacturing processes, and sustainability awareness.

People working in crafts and arts are generally very self-aware, which is crucial to know one´s strengths and weaknesses. Entrepreneurs should know where their boundaries are, what is bearable and what is beyond this limit. They should know how to promote their products/services and how to effectively self-promote. To do that, they should practise communication skills, such as negotiation or persuasion. All respondents agreed that crafters and artisans should have at least basic financial knowledge. They could use some training in finances, accounting, and budgeting. They do not need to be experts, but they should know the basics if they want their business to sustain. Another important skill or competence that came up is where to find funding, financial resources or how to apply for a grant to secure the financing.

As crafters and artisans are more creatively oriented, they sometimes lack the pragmatic side of the business. Therefore, they would benefit from learning some managerial skills such as planning, time-management, organising, prioritising, how to lead and work with others. Business is a risky and uncertain endeavour; they need to learn how to cope with uncertainty, how to assess and deal with risks. And finally, they need to know how to solve conflicts assertively and productively to navigate their way in business successfully.

The information gained through this qualitative research (Incentive meetings) will serve as a basis for the next step in the project, the Competence Matrix for Digital entrepreneurship and business creative thinking for crafters which is planned for the second quarter of the year 2022.