Women in business | Maryrose Francica

Can you tell us about yourself, and the foundation's aims?

My area of expertise is business management with extensive experience in Managerial positions with leading local companies before joining Acrosslimits as a manager and subsequently joining the Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs (Malta) in 2004 where I currently hold the position of Executive Co-ordinator.

For the past seven years, my main role within the Foundation has been in project planning, application processes, project implementation and monitoring of projects. I liaise with project personnel and internal staff, discussing the aims and deliverables of projects so that the project runs as smoothly as possible. I also assist in the organisation of training sessions on issues pertaining to project design, implementation and EU funding opportunities. I am also the main trainer in the Foundation's Grundtvig/Comenius In-service training course entitled 'Promoting the Culture of Entrepreneurship'.

On behalf of the The Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs (Malta), I was the manager of the first Europe Direct Info Relay Malta & Gozo until September, 2007.

How does the foundation assist its clients to find partners to do business with?

The forte of the Foundation is its good reputation in European circles and great networking abilities. The foundation is affiliated with umbrella organisations such as Malta Confederation of Women's Organisations (MCWO) in Malta, the Association of Organisations of Mediterranean Businesswomen (AFAEMME), the European Centre for Women and Technology (ECWT) and MEDITER Network, an economic and social network between all countries around the Mediterranean basin.

The foundation also represents female entrepreneurs from all over Europe on the Business Platform for Multilingualism set up by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) since 2009. All these networks provide fodder for finding business partners for our members.

Can you brief our readers on the mentoring circles aimed at women who wish to build their own business but are facing a "double disadvantage" meaning, that they are either coming from ethnic minority countries, are single parents or separated or else are over 50 years of age?

FE:MALE  (Female Entrepreneurs: Mentoring and Lifelong learning across Europe) is funded by the European Commission under the Leonardo Da Vinci - Transfer of Innovation, multilateral programme. The duration of the project was of 24 months and was held between October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011.

FE-MALE aims to transfer innovative training methodologies from the United Kingdom to three member states to enhance European vocational educational training (VET), personal development/mentoring support to equip women with the necessary soft skills to start developing entrepreneurial activities.

The projects' objectives are mainly to transfer proven successful innovative learning methodologies from the UK to partner countries; To develop a European training the trainers package to transfer the Mentoring Circles^TM for Female Entrepreneurs methodology to partner countries; To transfer and adapt paper based materials to e-learning materials to widen access to online development tools for female entrepreneurs on a European scale; To build and develop crucial social capital for women entrepreneurs online (social networking-learn zone); and To enhance the provision of vocational guidance across Europe by providing quality personal development tools/training methods aimed at reducing personal self-limiting beliefs of women.

The target group of female adult learners (focusing on those facing double- disadvantage) will increase in confidence, self-efficacy and entrepreneurial inclination. Trainers will be trained to deliver a wider repertoire of innovative training methodologies; training others in their countries (cascade method) and sharing knowledge across Europe. More information can be found on http://www.femaleproject.eu/

In a country with boardrooms run by men, do you think Malta offers the right opportunities for women to be encouraged to do the same? Does gender play a major role in Malta? Have you seen an improvement in this regard?

The old boys' network is still alive and kicking in Malta and women are still in minority when it comes to pole positions. This can be seen clearly from boardrooms to the political arena, where women always seem to be in the minority.

Our tradition and culture does not really encourage women to pursue a time consuming career. In fact, each year we get more female university graduates than male but four or five years down the line we are losing them, assuming that during that period they get married and give up their career to dedicate their time to their family. There is certainly nothing wrong in that if it is the woman's choice but for that woman who would like to have a family and at the same time continue with her career the opportunities are sadly lacking.

On a positive note, the culture seems to be changing slowly and society is beginning to realise the economic importance of the female input in the labour force. Hopefully the 'glass ceiling' will be shattered once for all for the next female generation.

Success in the corporate business world is measured on the basis of outcomes and performances. Ultimately, women have to show that they can achieve it equally as men do. What obstacles does a woman face when it comes to operating a company in Malta?

With the 'glass ceiling' still firmly in place, women still have to work harder than men to achieve the same objectives.

On paper there are no differences when a woman wants to start up her own business, but in reality women face barriers such as lack of confidence, opposition from family members, full responsibility of home management and rearing of children amongst others.

Gender equality can be achieved, for example by offering flexible ways of organising working time, by improving childcare facilities and by encouraging men to do their share of family tasks; by supporting women entrepreneurs, and improving their access to finance; by promoting equal pay for work of equal value; and by enabling women to take leadership positions in various professional spheres.

How can one manage time between her career and attending to her family?

In a nutshell this is what is a work-life balance and unfortunately there are no magic formulae or templates that one can use to achieve this.

Each situation is personal and different and it depends a lot on the support of third parties such as spouses, partners, the ages of the children and extended family.

Embracing a positive attitude, being flexible and taking life with a pinch of salt usually helps. Being realistic and acknowledging the constraints that one has to work with and realising that one cannot aim for perfection and excel in every area of one's life.

It is all about prioritising and when an opportunity presents itself just grab it and run away with it.

What is the AMIE (Ambassadors in Malta for Increasing Women Entrepreneurs) project, which has been undertaken by five organisations under the under the EU's Competitiveness & Innovation Programme (CIP)?

For the first time five local organisations joined forces to come up with the concept of AMIE. The main objective of AMIE is that of promoting Female Entrepreneurship in Malta through the establishment of a Network of Women Ambassadors.

This Network, part of the European Network of Women Entrepreneurs, campaigns amongst unemployed women, women in active professional life as well as students to set-up their own businesses and become entrepreneurs.

Furthermore the objective of the Ambassadors are to act as role models so as to raise women's ability to create a vision for themselves as entrepreneurs as well as the required motivation and self-confidence in setting up and creating a successful business. The Ambassadors act as role models to inspire other women to become entrepreneurs by 'telling their story'.

AMIE translates the objective outlined above by implementing a number of activities, amongst which are talks and workshops in schools, vocational colleges and the newly graduates.

Overall AMIE aims increase the potential of women becoming entrepreneurs. It is the intention of all the partners of the consortium to sustain this action even beyond the project duration of AMIE. The duration of the project is of 24 months, from 1 December, 2010 to 30 November, 2012. More information on AMIE can be found on http://www.amieproject.eu/

What about the Female Business Café event?

The Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs took part in a half day event in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Investment and Economy entitled Female Business Café at The Point Shopping Centre in Sliema as part of the 2011 SME week activities that were held in Malta.  

The set-up was simulated in a coffee shop with small square tables at the entrance of a shopping plaza where women who were interested in setting up their own business and becoming entrepreneurs had the opportunity to pop in and acquire information or clarify any queries that they might have, whilst enjoying a nice cup of coffee. As this event generated alot of interest it will be repeated for this year's SME week activities, which is planned to be held on the 10^th October, 2012.

We have seen a number of women involved in the running of leading businesses in Malta: From Sandra Zammit of TotallyFresh Ltd and Helga Ellul at Playmobil, to Vanessa  Borg of Consultancy & Training Acumen Centre Ltd, Sara Grech of Sara Grech Real Estate, Michelle Gialanze of the International Vocational College, Claudine Cassar of Alert Business, including yourself. Do you have any tips or any advice for women who are thinking about becoming entrepreneurs?

As all these women can vouch the path to entrepreneurship is not easy. There will be a lot of sleepless nights and questioning one's own judgment but I always compare starting up a new business is like having a baby. You nurture it, watch it all the time and feel possessive about it and ready to work as much as it takes to see it succeed.

The satisfaction of watching your startup grow and rendering good return is the same feeling of being a proud mummy to your toddler.

What do you think could be done to increase the number of women entrepreneurs?

European-funded projects such as FE:MALE and AMIE help in raising awareness about the importance of  women contributing to the economy. A good idea would be for schemes and initiatives specifically targeting female start-ups.

What is one leadership lesson you learned but wish someone had told you at the beginning?

Nothing ever stays the same; everything evolves or degenerates. ... Times change, people change, circumstances change. We do not learn or grow by resisting change.

Francica at a glance

Maryrose Francica is an energetic and passionate woman who takes on challenges head on and never says no to hard work. Mother of 19 year old Andrew - the true love of her life - and loyal daughter of her native town of Lija where she still lives today. Her work with the Foundation gets her to travel all over Europe, and there's always some interesting anecdote in every trip - in fact her colleagues have been urging her for years to start a travel blog with do's and don'ts. She recently completed a three year Diploma in management at the University of Malta, managing to juggle studying with all her other commitments. She's an extremely practical person, and her advice has helped many of the European projects she is involved in, stay on course and makes a better impact on their target groups. Her straightforward way of talking and living has inspired many women to believe that it's possible to follow your dreams. Maryrose's favourite hobbies including reading, shopping, following current affairs and anything Irish!

About the Foundation

The Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs (Malta) established in 2001, is an independent non-profit organisation, which has been set up for the promotion of opportunities, awareness building, training and research in the field of Women Entrepreneurs and other gender issues. 

The foundation aims at establishing entrepreneurship as a culture and way of life for women - not only business owners, but workers, mothers and citizens on a national, European and Mediterranean level. We are part of AFAEMME (Association of Organisations of Mediterranean Businesswomen) and MEDITER Network, an economic and social network between all countries around the Mediterranean basin.

The foundation believes in promoting initiatives that foster the creation of women entrepreneurial networks that are accessible by the majority of women as this is seen an over arching structure for creating awareness of the impact that women entrepreneurs can have on the national and regional economy, and helping prospective entrepreneurs to develop themselves. In fact the foundation is part of the European Network of Women Entrepreneurs set up by the Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry.

The foundation aims and believes in enhancing and networking with similar organisations in Europe and North Africa with the aim of establishing collaborative initiatives in order to urgently and constantly address the issue of the so-called "gender inequalities" and assist communities to bridge that gap. The foundation also represents female entrepreneurs on the Business Platform for Multilingualism set up by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) since 2009. 

www.women.org.mt