For many people, the reason for participating in the course is also to learn new skills, such as financial, marketing, sales, and customer service. Hearing the stories of various entrepreneurs and business coaches was also described as important in learning. This international course, which is implemented with our Estonian and Latvian partners, is also inspired to participate by traveling and meeting new people.
Bold pioneers and family members serve as role models to inspire entrepreneurship
Several participants said that there are entrepreneurs in their own family circle, for example, one of their parents or grandparents is an entrepreneur. A close-up experience of entrepreneurship can inspire and encourage young people to take the path of entrepreneurship, although, as one young person told us, she described entrepreneurship – as her mother said – suffering. We discussed the fact that entrepreneurship has its pros and cons, and years of entrepreneurship usually include ups and downs as well as downs and challenges brought about by different circumstances and external factors. However, in entrepreneurship, there is a certain passion and the possibility of personal fulfillment that sustains and inspires you to continue.
When we asked the participants which entrepreneur they admire, we got a wide range of answers. As mentioned, for many, their family members act as a role model and source of inspiration for entrepreneurship. On the other hand, various people and business influencers with significant international visibility were highlighted, who in their own brave and unyielding way have made their dreams come true. However, the discussion also highlighted the fact that a thriving business always needs teamwork and the contribution of several people. Goals will not be achieved, and products will not be developed if we are not able to engage in constructive cooperation, high-quality dialogue and take into account different views and competences. On this basis, I would say that already at their starting level, our participants understand very well certain basic premises of entrepreneurship.
Learning by working together
The participants expressed their wish to learn more about teamwork and international communication and networking during the course. This is a good thing, because the Succeed in Business course prioritizes working together, learning from each other and together, as well as the benefits of cross-border cooperation. It is also important to think big and look at the world outside your own box. The participants were awakened to see the difference between dialogue and discussion: dialogue is dialogue and thinking together, where the goal is to increase common understanding and create meanings, rather than making solutions. It is important to listen to and understand others, different perspectives and to delve into dialogue, so that you can learn and understand extensively.
So, what happened when the participants were divided into groups and given a few supplies to build the marshmallow tower? At least the participants got to know each other, got excited together, noticed different people’s different strengths and utilized them, and cooperated. The towers of some groups rose proudly, carrying marshmallows and competing for supremacy, while the towers of others swayed happily. However, we could learn from all this: the important thing is to try, and even if you don’t do well, you can try again. Sometimes a good tactic can be to take direct action and check the direction along the way, sometimes good planning will carry you far to the finish line. It is important in cooperation to listen to others and also to bring up your own thoughts. By solving things together, things can be achieved, and the strengths of different people can be utilized to promote a common goal. And also, remember to have fun too.
Read more:
Succeed in Business 2025-2026 (in English): Succeed in Business Training Course 2025-2026 | Succeed in Business | Tampere Universities
Author: Päivi Heimonen, yliopettaja, Soveltavan tutkimuksen keskus, TAMK
Photo: Päivi Heimonen
