WISE experience in AUSTRIA WISE Final Workshop Brussels, 22 March 2007 Gabriele Sauberer (TermNet)

TermNet - the International Network for Terminology International Professional Association to foster the terminology market, consisting of products, services and tools for  translation & localization,  information & communication,  classification & categorization

TermNet - the International Network for Terminology More than 50 institutional members from more than 20 countries all over the world. TermNet members are companies, universities and multipliers active in the field of applied terminology TermNet. There is no Knowledge without Terminology

WISE activities carried out:  Identification, collection & analysis of most relevant data sources at Austrian, European and International level  Selection of representative group of women workers and entrepreneurs in the ICT/ICT-supported sectors with focus on terminology and human language technology sectors as well as information, content and knowledge management sectors; input to catalogue of benefits  Extensive Data gathering at Austrian, European and International level  100 answers to questionnaires received, 70% from Austria

WISE activities carried out:  Identification and assessment of state-of-the-art training offer for women entrepreneurship (mainly in Austria also sector-specific; incl. results of (EU-) projects and Working Groups, e.g. within Austrian Computer Society  Drafting of questionnaires and provision of a model based on the EUROCHAMBRES initiative "Women in Business and in Decision making"

WISE activities carried out:  Preparation, adaptation and translation of state-of-the-art tools for self-assessment (“entrepreneurial spirit” and “intercultural skills”)  Selection and elaboration of innovative business training modules based on the findings of WP 1 with focus on work-life balance and multilingual and intercultural skills

WISE activities carried out:  Workshop methodology, training content and logistics  Creation of a professional WISE project logo, preparation and dissemination of customized and localized newsletters and newsflashes about WISE  Establishment of a sustainable network in Austria to implement the dissemination strategy on the occasion of various concrete dissemination events and initiatives in 2006 and 2007; participation in events and working groups to promote WISE

Main barriers encountered by women entrepreneurs: Reconciling work and family life - Women´s double burden of combining paid work and family responsibilities Main barriers seen in the business environment: still existing „glass ceiling“, stereotypes and preconceptions of women´s role and abilities Main tools needed, used or potentially accepted for future use: work-life balance and management tools Results from the WISE activities:

The WISE surveys identified three main obstacles and problems of women when starting their own ICT related business: 1) Self confidence (believing in your abilities) 2) Start-up finance 3) Combining family and work life Conclusions

Thus, the way ahead in terms of what is needed for the future should be to train women in : 1) Personal and management skills to improve self confidence 2) Entrepreneurship to know how and where to find start-up finance 3) Work-life management skills to enable successfully combining family and work life Conclusions

More Information: Gabriele Sauberer Executive Secretary of TermNet – Tel.: – Fax: – /