Fantastic Opportunity for Women Business Owners

Spread the word - Applications open until September 22nd for the Vital Voices GROW Fellowship: A Leading Global Accelerator for Women Entrepreneurs

I am on the European Board of an amazing global initiative called Vital Voices established in 1997 by First Lady of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, following the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. For the first time one of Vital Voices most exciting leadership development programmes for women business owners is heading our way! I am excited to share the news that our inaugural VVGROW Global program (the first time we are taking VVGROW global!!) will take place in Dublin next spring – May 4th through May 13th, 2018.

Vital Voices was created to make space for women to be heard. Our founders knew then what has now become a universal truth: that women are essential to progress in their communities. Our world cannot move forward without their full participation.

The fellowship is a highly competitive one-year program for women owners of small and medium businesses. The program includes online and in-person customized business skills training, technical assistance, leadership development, and access to networks. Fellows focus on strategy and long-term business value paired with action-oriented plans to grow their businesses and leadership. They amplify their role in their communities to create jobs, stimulate long-term economic growth and produce wider social benefits.

The one-year program includes:

1. Global Virtual Learning: Over 4 months, fellows complete a series of weekly webinars, assignments, online courses, assessments, and one-on-one calls with peers, Vital Voices staff, and trainers. Fellows begin to build their knowledge about marketing, networking, business planning, financial management and leadership, the core topics of the program. Fellows assess the current state of their business and leadership in order to determine where they are; analyze their business to identify opportunities for growth; and define specific business growth goals to identify where they want to go.
2. In-Person Training: Each year, fellows from each region gather to participate in a four-day, in-person training workshop that will guide them in creating an action plan outlining how they will accomplish their business growth goals. Fellows also get the opportunity to meet, network with, and learn from other fellows from across regions, Vital Voices staff and trainers.
3. Growth Services and Support: Following the in-person training, fellows carry out their action plans, revise them, and evaluate their progress towards their growth goals. Throughout the last 6 months of the fellowship, Vital Voices staff connects fellows to individualized growth services and support based on the goals and action items in their action plan with the support of VV staff and partners.

APPLICANT INFORMATION

Who can apply? Women business owners who:

• Own a business that has been in operation for at least 3 years,
• Employ at least 3 full time staff, and
• Generate at least USD $40,000 in annual sales (or equivalent in local currency)
• Reside in the same country as your business for at least 7 months out of the year
• Are proficient in spoken and written English

What will I receive through the program?

• Strengthened knowledge, skills, and confidence in 5 core areas: business planning, leadership, financial management, networking, and marketing 
• Access to highly qualified staff and business consultants
• Access to online business management and leadership courses through Harvard Business School Publishing’s online platform, Harvard ManageMentor (HMM) for one year
• Interactive webinars led by expert trainers from across the globe
• A 4-day in-person training workshop
• Joining a network of women business leaders from across the globe 
• Referral(s) to business support services tailored to your needs
• A certificate of program completion
• Entry into the Vital Voices Global Leadership Network upon graduation

Applications due September 22, 2017

Application link: https://vitalvoices.2018vvgrowfellowshipapplication.sgizmo.com/s3/