<h4>Web Summit event partner Mobilize asked attendees their thoughts on automobiles and how they affect our daily lives.</h4>
<p>Web Summit 2023 united more than 70,000 attendees from 153 countries in Lisbon. This year, a lot of the event buzz centred around artificial intelligence, how to engage audiences and how to create compelling content.</p>
<p>With such a large, diverse audience at its disposal, Mobilize – a subdivision of the French car manufacturer Renault – operated a survey wall asking attendees to share their thoughts and opinions on cars and the role they play in daily life.</p>
<p>Here are some of the findings:</p>
<h3>Why are we so car crazy? Convenience</h3>
<p>42 percent of survey wall respondents said that, above all, cars equal convenience. This was the most popular answer to the fill-in-the-blank question: “A car is synonymous with”.</p>
<p>The second most common answer indicated that, for 35 percent of surveyees, a car is synonymous with freedom, allowing users to explore the open road and do whatever they please.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://websummit.com/wp-media/2024/02/HsN4iQr4-53351970695_dd0e96ee3e_o-scaled-1.jpg" alt=A photo of an attendee at Web Summit 2023 looking at the Mobilize survey wall. The survey wall is filled with stickers indicating different answers to each section. The person is wearing a backpack and has their hands in their pockets. In the background, there are attendees sitting and chatting."" width="2560" height="1707" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-88198" /><span class="caption"><em>Attendee at Web Summit 2023 interacting with the Mobilize survey wall. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2phwN8H" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Image</a>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/websummit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a>/<a href="https://websummit.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode.en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY 2.0</a>)</em></span></p>
<p>Some 13 percent took a more climate-conscious stance, stating that cars bring to mind pollution and a detrimental effect on the environment. The remaining 10 percent of attendees admitted that ‘stress’ is the word they associate most with cars, indicating that – for some – automobiles are more trouble than they’re worth.</p>
<h3>People are divided on connected cars</h3>
<p>When asked about their stance on connected cars, 30 percent of respondents believed that smart cars are “always at the cutting edge of technology.” Closely following, however, was the belief that connected cars are simply “another opportunity for hackers to access my personal data”.</p>
<p>The third most popular response to connected cars – representing 21 percent of respondents – showed that some attendees view smart cars as “just another accessory for [their] smartphone”. Perhaps surprisingly, this was closely followed by the belief that these vehicles are associated with safety and increased protection.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://websummit.com/wp-media/2024/02/jlNfh1Jv-53351840704_343dea0ca2_o-scaled-1.jpg" alt=A photo of three attendees standing at the Mobilize survey wall at Web Summit 2023. They appear to be responding to the fill-in-the-blank, “A car is synonymous with”. One attendee is placing a sticker on ‘Convenience’."" width="2560" height="1707" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-88199" /><span class="caption"><em>Attendee at Web Summit 2023 interacting with the Mobilize survey wall. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2phw8uu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Image</a>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/websummit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a>/<a href="https://websummit.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode.en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY 2.0</a>)</em></span></p>
<h3>People are undecided about life without a car</h3>
<p>When asked to finish the sentence, “Life without a car is”, respondents did not seem to agree.</p>
<p>​​</p>
<p>People were divided between the responses that life without a car is desirable for personal reasons (eg health or financial), impossible (a car is a necessity), possible (I already live without a car), or that it is desirable for societal reasons (eg environmental).</p>
<p>In other words, life without a car isn’t a black and white issue, and there is no definitive response to our attendees’ thoughts about the prospect.</p>
<h4>If you want to learn more about Mobilize, <a href="http://www.mobilize.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">check out the company website</a>.</h4>
<p><em>Image Credit:<a href="https://websummit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a></em></p>


What does a car provide? Convenience, freedom and more

<h3>We’re wrapped on Web Summit 2023. Now’s the time to discover what our partners, NATO DIANA, learned from their survey of our attendees.</h3>
<p>In early November, more than 70,000 people converged on Lisbon for Web Summit 2023. While there, they discussed some of the biggest questions facing society and the tech industry.</p>
<p>In an era of increased global instability, security is at the forefront of many people’s minds. With that in mind, defence innovation accelerator NATO DIANA surveyed Web Summit attendees on several topics related to security and the future of emerging technologies.</p>
<p>Hundreds of curious attendees interacted with the NATO DIANA survey wall. Here are the results.</p>
<h3>AI and big data will have the biggest impact on security</h3>
<p>40.5 percent of respondents chose AI and big data when asked the question ‘In the years ahead, which technologies do you think will have the biggest impact on our collective security?’ This was by far the most popular response.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://websummit.com/wp-media/2024/02/9nqmQpn1-53351130759_815b8f7eef_c.jpg" alt="A large standalone wall that features the Web Summit logo in the top left corner, and the NATO DIANA and the idD Portugal Defence logos in the top right. The wall is covered with small round stickers, placed as indications of response to several questions: 'Who do you think will play the largest role in shaping future technologies', 'Which of the following technologies do you think will have the biggest impact on our collective security', and 'As an aspiring tech innovator or entrepreneur, which of the following would be most helpful to you'. This is the NATO DIANA survey wall on the exhibition floor at Web Summit 2023." width="1024" height="683" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-88216" /><br />
<span class="caption"><em>The NATO DIANA survey wall on the exhibition floor at Web Summit 2023. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2phsus4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Image</a>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/websummit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sportsfile</a>/<a href="https://websummit.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY 2.0</a>)</em></span></p>
<p>The second most popular response was quantum computing (24 percent), with biotechnology and human enhancement a close third on 23.5 percent. Just 12 percent of respondents said novel materials and advanced manufacturing would have the biggest impact.</p>
<p>With recent hype around AI and ongoing fears related to so-called ‘killer robots’, it would seem that attendees are concerned about the security implications of this rapidly developing technology.</p>
<h3>Expert mentoring is prized by tech innovators</h3>
<p>When asked the question, ‘As an aspiring tech innovator or entrepreneur, which of the following would be most helpful to you?’, 39 percent chose mentoring by industry experts – a significant plurality of responses.</p>
<p>In second place, attendees chose development grants (25 percent), and in third place was introductions to potential investors (22 percent). In a distant fourth was access to specialist accelerator hubs (14 percent).</p>
<p>It is striking that expert advice wins out over direct or potential investment, 53 percent to 47 percent.</p>
<h3>Industry – not government – will shape the future of technology</h3>
<p>Attendees were asked ‘Who do you think will play the largest role in shaping future technologies?’.</p>
<p>Results show that the overwhelming majority of respondents believe that industry will play the larger role, with a significant minority voting for ‘both equally’ and a noticeably smaller vote for government alone.</p>
<h4>For more information on NATO DIANA, visit <a href="https://www.diana.nato.int/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the accelerator programme’s website</a>.</h4>
<p><em>Image Credit:<a href="https://websummit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a></em></p>


40.5% of Web Summit attendees say AI impacts collective security

<h3>Meet four of our community partners that are tackling climate change by equipping their communities with the tools to change the world.</h3>
<p>At Web Summit, we strive to support companies that prioritise community building – and making the world a better place.</p>
<p>As our events gather thousands of leaders, visionaries, cultural icons and expert speakers from across the globe, we believe it’s necessary to highlight those making a positive impact.</p>
<p>To underline the significance of environmental activism, we partner with organisations seeking to better their communities.</p>
<p>Check out these four community partners making strides in their industries:</p>
<h3><a href="https://www.theblackbag.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Black Bag</a></h3>
<p><center><iframe loading="lazy" width="650" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jmn21tix930?si=bsyyqupNOmhUQGWZ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></center></p>
<p>Founded in 2019, The Black Bag is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, apolitical organisation cultivating environmental respect through tech and data analysis.</p>
<p>Its mission is to clean up Genoese beaches and promote a culture of respect for the environment and its inhabitants. To do so, The Black Bag team organises and promotes local activities and high-impact projects with the scientific community.</p>
<p>Since its inception, the organisation has brought together more than 1,250 volunteers and collected more than eight tonnes of waste.</p>
<h3><a href="https://www.earthed.co/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Earthed</a></h3>
<p><center><iframe loading="lazy" width="650" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GNDeZRzsJXk?si=epPKCDBSn7QgPSx3" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></center></p>
<p>Earthed is a nature skills platform offering courses on agroforestry, growing food, bioconstruction and more.</p>
<p>It enables people to learn skills from nature teachers, celebrate traditional knowledge and take part in community activities.</p>
<p>The organisation also offers a community space where users can access community forums, live events and support. Here, patrons can learn everything from how to care for houseplants to regenerative farming and harvesting rainwater.</p>
<h3><a href="https://landing.herocircle.app/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hero</a></h3>
<p><center><iframe loading="lazy" width="650" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_JoTH4Kqhyc?si=Yf4S0PJ8nGzrFitT" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></center></p>
<p>Hero is a membership platform providing financial and capacity-building support to climate mobilisers.</p>
<p>It is the first subscription service that allows users to directly invest in campaigners accelerating policy change.</p>
<p>Rather than just supporting individuals, Hero supports groups of activists working together, specialising in policy topics and geographical regions.</p>
<h3><a href="https://www.unido.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">UNIDO</a> (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)</h3>
<p><center><iframe loading="lazy" width="650" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vEAQaRNVpyI?si=BbE5bg63cSMSM9Nw" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></center></p>
<p>Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Vienna, UNIDO is a specialised agency of the United Nations assisting countries with economic and industrial development.</p>
<p>Its strategic priorities include creating shared prosperity, advancing economic competitiveness, safeguarding the environment and strengthening knowledge and institutions.</p>
<p>UNIDO currently has 666 ongoing projects and an implementation budget of US$372.64m planned for 2023.</p>
<h4>For more information on our partners, visit <a href="https://websummit.com/partners/event-partners" rel="noopener" target="_blank">our dedicated partners page</a>.</h4>
<p><em>Image Credit:<a href="https://websummit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a></em></p>


Meet 4 of our environment-focused community partners

<h3>With Web Summit 2022 wrapped up, we’re finding out everything EDP learned about Web Summit 2022 attendees, and how the company intends to use this data to lead the energy transition process.</h3>
<p>Web Summit 2022 united more than 71,000 attendees from all over the world. Among the various topics raised at the tech event – such as AI, business development and climate change – a question that came up frequently was, ‘How can businesses and societies transition away from fossil fuels?’.</p>
<p>EDP operated an attendee survey wall during the event in Lisbon, allowing entrepreneurs and activists to share their thoughts on key questions around climate change and the energy transition process.</p>
<p><a href="https://websummit.com/partners/event-partners?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=copy&#038;utm_campaign=WS_partners_banner" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://web-summit-library.imgix.net/websummit/2222/11/Meet-our-partners.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&#038;ixlib=php-3.3.0&#038;s=33a23e23f515f65050f0dc3bae7b0abd" width="700" height="150" class="alignnone size-medium" /></a></p>
<p>Here are some of the key findings:</p>
<h3>It will be challenging to reach net-zero emissions</h3>
<p>Just over 49 percent of attendees believe humankind will never achieve net-zero emissions. This was the largest cohort to weigh in behind a single answer in response to the question, ‘In what decade do you think the world will reach net-zero emissions?’.</p>
<p>However, 50.9 percent of respondents believe we can reach net-zero emissions within the next three decades, with 36.6 percent of attendees believing we could reach this target by the 2050s. Some 11.1 percent believe that we could achieve net-zero even sooner – by the 2040s. This shows a measured optimism around how humankind is approaching the energy transition process.</p>
<p><center><iframe loading="lazy" width="650" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eq3EjMHqXuk" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center></p>
<h3>Extreme weather events are on people’s minds</h3>
<p>When asked, ‘What aspect of continued fossil fuel usage concerns you most?’, 36.8 percent of people ranked an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events as their chief concern. Biodiversity loss was the second most significant concern, at 35.8 percent of the vote.</p>
<p>The other three options — energy rationing, impacted quality of life and high cost of fuel — represented the remaining 27.4 percent of votes. Given the current economic situation, high cost of fuel and energy rationing were surprisingly the least frequent responses.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://websummit.com/wp-media/2024/02/AIgIiaAd-52494060801_9a07c1d685_o.jpg" alt="A wall with the EDP logo in the top right. The question ‘Which group should be leading the way in the energy transition process?’ features prominently on the wall. Stickers have been added to the wall to indicate responses to the question, and a roll of stickers is attached to the wall to the right of the question." width="650" height="433" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-82825" /><span class="caption"><em>EDP’s content survey wall at Web Summit. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2nYHMpP" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Image</a>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/websummit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY 2.0</a>)</em></span></p>
<h3>Major private consumers and governments should lead energy transitions</h3>
<p>When asked, ‘Which group should be leading in the energy transition process?’, attendees responded:</p>
<ul>
<li>Attendees believed major private consumers and government organisations should lead the energy transition process.</li>
<li>There was a clear preference for government organisations – rather than private energy producers – leading the way through regulation.</li>
<li>A large number of respondents felt that individual consumers still have an important part to play in the energy transition process.</li>
</ul>
<h4>If you want to learn more about how EDP is leading the energy transition process in Portugal and beyond, you can discover <a href="https://www.edp.com/en/sustainability/leading-energy-transition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the company’s sustainability initiatives on the EDP website</a>.</h4>
<p><a href="https://rio.websummit.com?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=copy&#038;utm_campaign=join-us-in-rio-ws" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://web-summit-library.imgix.net/websummit/2222/11/Join-us-in-Rio-1-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&#038;ixlib=php-3.3.0&#038;s=044ee73bca2bab31b6b2c0bcf970bd47" width="700" height="150" class="alignnone size-medium" /></a></p>
<p><em><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/websummit/52494337764/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Main image</a> of an attendee interacting with the EDP survey wall: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/websummit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY 2.0</a>)</em></p>


An attendee adds a sticker to the EDP survey wall, indicating their response to the question, ‘Which group should be leading in the energy transition process?’. Another attendee looks on.

49.1% of Web Summit attendees believe net-zero is out of reach

<h3>At Web Summit 2022, Invest in Pomerania surveyed hundreds of attendees about their economic outlooks and the tech cities of the future. Let’s take a look at the responses.</h3>
<p>Web Summit 2022 brought more than 71,000 attendees from around the world to Lisbon, where much of the conversation – both on and off stage – was about remote work, digital nomads and smart cities.</p>
<p>At the Invest in Pomerania survey wall, attendees shared their thoughts on these concepts in response to some key questions.</p>
<p><a href="https://websummit.com/partners/event-partners?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=copy&#038;utm_campaign=WS_partners_banner" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://web-summit-library.imgix.net/websummit/2222/11/Meet-our-partners.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&#038;ixlib=php-3.3.0&#038;s=33a23e23f515f65050f0dc3bae7b0abd" width="700" height="150" class="alignnone size-medium" /></a></p>
<p>Here are some of the key findings:</p>
<h3>Porto is the destination of choice for digital nomads</h3>
<p>Attendees were asked whether they would prefer to live and work in Porto, Gdańsk/Tricity, Vilnius, Dresden or Sofia.</p>
<p>The most popular destination by far was Porto, which won out with 50.4 percent of votes. Given Portugal’s increasing popularity with digital nomads – and that Portuguese attendees made up the largest cohort at Web Summit by nationality – this is perhaps an unsurprising result.</p>
<p>The next most popular destinations were Vilnius at 17.5 percent and Gdańsk/Tricity at 16.6 percent, followed by Dresden at 9.6 percent. Trailing slightly behind the rest was Sofia on 5.9 percent.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://websummit.com/wp-media/2024/02/fbxnJEoo-52493502972_a2c31eaea7_k-768x511.jpg" alt="In the foreground, a printed wall with Invest in Pomerania written on it. The wall features three survey questions, with possible answers represented by bar charts and quadrants. The wall is covered with stickers, which have been used to indicate survey question responses. In the background, a wall with text – &#039;Northern Poland: Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot&#039; – above the silhouette of a ship with four sails and a flag." width="768" height="511" class="alignnone size-medium_large wp-image-82839" /><span class="caption"><em>The Invest in Pomerania survey wall, next to a Northern Poland booth at Web Summit 2022. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/websummit/52493502972" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Image</a>: <a href="websummit.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY 2.0</a>)</em></span></p>
<h3>Attendees predict a tech boom for Vilnius</h3>
<p>When asked which of the cities listed above will have seen the most technological development by 2023, Vilnius was well ahead of the other options at 38.8 percent – indicative, perhaps, of the rapid development of the Baltic tech ecosystem.</p>
<p>Porto came in second place at 26.1 percent, with Gdańsk/Tricity following at 19.4 percent.</p>
<p>When asked – during an event-floor interview at Web Summit – about the choice of cities for these questions, Invest in Pomerania deputy director Marcin Grzegory explained “this is the pack that we would like to run against, because it’s tough competition. So, if we can get an edge on these cities, who knows what will be next.”</p>
<p><center><iframe loading="lazy" width="650" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FDHg_1yu6n4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center></p>
<h3>Attendees favour higher-risk, higher-return investments</h3>
<p>When attendees responded to the question, ‘What do you look for in an investment?’, we learned that:</p>
<ul>
<li>Attendees favoured high-return, high-risk investments in new markets, with nearly half of respondents supporting some degree of financing within these parameters.</li>
<li>There was a clear preference for new markets over more established markets.</li>
<li>There was a significant preference for high-return, high-risk investments over low-risk investments with a steady return.</li>
<li>Attendees didn’t sit on the fence when it came to the debate over risk, with responses showing varying degrees of comfort on both ends of the spectrum.</li>
</ul>
<h4>To find out more about Invest in Pomerania and the wider region’s business potential, <a href="https://investinpomerania.pl/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">visit the Invest in Pomerania website</a>.</h4>
<p><a href="https://rio.websummit.com?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=copy&#038;utm_campaign=join-us-in-rio-ws" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://web-summit-library.imgix.net/websummit/2222/11/Join-us-in-Rio-1-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&#038;ixlib=php-3.3.0&#038;s=044ee73bca2bab31b6b2c0bcf970bd47" width="700" height="150" class="alignnone size-medium" /></a></p>
<p><em><a href="https://flic.kr/p/2nYHdgD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Main image</a> of an attendee interacting with the Invest in Pomerania survey wall at Web Summit 2022: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/websummit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY 2.0</a>)</em></p>


3 takeaways from Invest in Pomerania at Web Summit 2022

<h3>Explore attendee insights from the Entrepreneurs’ Organization survey wall on the Web Summit 2022 event floor, and discover how these insights will better support businesspeople.</h3>
<p>Web Summit 2022 gathered more than 71,000 attendees from across the world. Dozens of topics were covered at the event, from AI to marketing to sustainability. But one of the most significant points of discussion was how entrepreneurs can help solve challenges across society.</p>
<p>Global nonprofit Entrepreneurs’ Organization built a survey wall during the event in Lisbon, providing everyone from business leaders to emerging founders an opportunity to give their impressions on socially responsible entrepreneurship.</p>
<p><a href="https://websummit.com/partners/event-partners?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=copy&#038;utm_campaign=WS_partners_banner" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://web-summit-library.imgix.net/websummit/2222/11/Meet-our-partners.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&#038;ixlib=php-3.3.0&#038;s=33a23e23f515f65050f0dc3bae7b0abd" width="700" height="150" class="alignnone size-medium" /></a></p>
<p>Here are some of the key findings:</p>
<h3>Entrepreneurs have a responsibility to address societal challenges</h3>
<p>Should entrepreneurs be expected to look beyond their business operations to focus on broader societal challenges and, if yes, how can they help? Entrepreneurs’ Organization took this debate directly to the event floor at Web Summit, asking ‘Do entrepreneurs have a public responsibility to help solve global societal challenges?’.</p>
<p>A little more than 70 percent of attendees stated their belief that entrepreneurs unequivocally need to play a role in the global community. A further 21.3 percent of respondents believed that this role should be limited to issues relevant to the entrepreneur’s own industry or region.</p>
<p><center><iframe loading="lazy" width="650" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N0G0UJuwdj4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
</p>
<p>In direct contrast, 2.9 percent of people thought their responsibility to help solve societal challenges exists at a local level only. Just 5.6 percent of respondents thought it was more crucial to focus on their own business than any broader concerns.</p>
<h3>People are motivated to use their entrepreneurial skills to help</h3>
<p>When asked ‘In times of crisis, do you feel motivated to use your entrepreneurial skills to create solutions?’, the response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. An incredible 91.7 percent of those polled said they feel motivated to use their entrepreneurial skills to help.</p>
<p>This attitude is critical in addressing current global challenges, including an economic downturn and the effects of climate change.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://websummit.com/wp-media/2024/02/iSwzusUG-52497103772_7359fd02fa_c.jpg" alt="Three people stand in a circle in front of a wall with Entrepreneurs’ Organization written on it. The wall features survey questions, and stickers have been added to the wall to indicate responses to these questions. The three people appear to be in conversation." width="650" height="434" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-82783" /><span class="caption"><em>Attendees converse next to the Entrepreneurs’ Organization survey wall at Web Summit 2022. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/2nYZnYQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Image</a>: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/websummit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY 2.0</a>)</em></span></p>
<h3>Socially responsible entrepreneurship should be part of business models</h3>
<p>When attendees responded to the question, ‘What does socially responsible entrepreneurship look like?’, we learned that:</p>
<ul>
<li>An overwhelming majority of respondents believed that socially responsible entrepreneurship should be baked into the business model rather than treated as a separate company value.</li>
<li>A significant section of attendees opted for a moderate response, indicating that a blend of approaches to socially responsible entrepreneurship – encompassing top-down (driven by a strong company vision) and bottom-up (with employees as changemakers) – works best.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Want to join a peer-to-peer network exclusively for entrepreneurs? <a href="https://hub.eonetwork.org/Web/Web/Why-Join/Apply-for-Membership.aspx?hkey=cc9d388a-af21-4fde-9aad-0d20a3591c9a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apply for Entrepreneurs’ Organization membership</a> today and get the support of a truly global institution.</h4>
<p><a href="https://rio.websummit.com?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=copy&#038;utm_campaign=join-us-in-rio-ws" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://web-summit-library.imgix.net/websummit/2222/11/Join-us-in-Rio-1-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&#038;ixlib=php-3.3.0&#038;s=044ee73bca2bab31b6b2c0bcf970bd47" width="700" height="150" class="alignnone size-medium" /></a></p>
<p><em><a href="https://flic.kr/p/2nYCfJa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Main image</a> of attendee interacting with the Entrepreneurs’ Organization survey wall at Web Summit 2022: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/websummit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY 2.0</a>)</em></p>


An attendee adds a sticker to the Entrepreneurs' Organization survey wall, indicating their response to the question, 'What does socially responsible entrepreneurship look like?'

91.7% of Web Summit attendees motivated to help solve global crises

<h3>In the lead up to Web Summit, we sat down with Joe Walsh of <a href="https://www.goto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoTo</a> to discuss working-from-home trends, and what’s needed for companies to build key connections and thrive in an uncertain business environment.</h3>
<p>Covid-19 transformed working trends. But why are some companies ignoring this, even when flexible working technology seems to be increasing productivity and staff satisfaction?</p>
<p>According to GoTo, there are two key elements differentiating the top businesses of today from the rest: embracing best practices of working from anywhere, and creating better connections with employees and customers.</p>
<p>We spoke with Joe Walsh, head of marketing for UCC at GoTo, to find out more.</p>
<p><a href="https://websummit.com/partners/event-partners?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=copy&#038;utm_campaign=WS_partners_banner" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://web-summit-library.imgix.net/websummit/2222/01/Partners.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&#038;ixlib=php-3.3.0&#038;s=39f6ec0b2b5768abfadf1ec3cc1acf90" width="700" height="150" class="alignnone size-medium" /></a></p>
<h3>Hi, Joe! What’s the through-line between fostering connections among people and companies, business resilience, and remote-working tech?</h3>
<p>As companies have adapted to changing needs and technologies in recent years, they’ve still found ways to connect to what is most important: employees and customers. Many enterprise leaders know that, despite the number of distracting elements and the economic uncertainty in the business world, building and maintaining essential connections is a non-negotiable for survival.</p>
<p>How businesses adopt and use technology for collaboration, communication, processing information, and more, should be framed with building connections at the heart.</p>
<h3>GoTo recently produced a report on remote working trends that shed light on how SMBs can use tech to face economic uncertainty. Can you share some insights with us?</h3>
<p>Perceptions of the economic downturn are clear. <a href=https://www.goto.com/blog/new-research-shows-remote-work-allows-us-to-live-better-lives" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A study</a> commissioned by GoTo and conducted by OnePoll extracted data from 3,700 small to medium business founders. The outcome? Nearly 70 percent believe a recession is likely in the next six months.</p>
<p>So how does remote working play into this? Further data from GoTo had a story to tell about how it can help build resilience and foster connections.</p>
<p>For a start, remote working does appear to be working. Survey results show 81 percent of respondents currently operate under a full-remote or hybrid working model. And, while Covid-19 may have foisted this change upon a lot of businesses, the decision to maintain an element of flexible working is supported by an increase in productivity and staff satisfaction.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://websummit.com/wp-media/2024/02/j4wfih3J-Copy-of-Single-speaker-Lisbon-3-1.jpg" alt="Joseph Walsh, Head of Marketing for GoTo, discussing remote work trends" width="700" height="400" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-80886" /><span class="caption"><em>Joe Walsh, head of marketing for GoTo. Image: <a href="https://www.goto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoTo</a></em></span></p>
<p>A huge 78 percent of respondents found employee productivity was higher or somewhat higher in 2021 than 2020. Half perceived a hybrid working model as decisive to maximising this productivity.</p>
<p>Additionally, 77 percent of employees reported an increase, at least partly, in satisfaction with their role from 2020 to 2021. This led to 56 percent of SMBs allowing staff to choose their work model as a means of improving satisfaction levels.</p>
<p>The results are clear: ignore the opportunity of remote working at your organisation’s peril.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://websummit.com/wp-media/2024/02/L3o7PCCl-shutterstock_1606120399.jpg" alt="A young woman working from home, one of a number of new remote working trends" width="700" height="467" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-81010" /><span class="caption"><em>A young person working remotely. <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/indian-young-business-woman-student-teacher-1606120399" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Image</a>: <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/g/fizkes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fizkes</a>/<a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shutterstock</a></em></span></p>
<h3>How can businesses overcome a ‘presenteeism’ mindset to embrace hybrid work?</h3>
<p>If the spike in numbers of people working from home taught us one thing, it’s that your employees will be more successful if they have flexibility in how and where they work.</p>
<p>But what’s needed alongside that is a belief that staff can work from home without needing to be monitored. Trust your workforce to get the job done, and build a culture where they feel comfortable taking breaks and defining their own way of balancing work and home life.</p>
<p>Both internally and externally, GoTo believes that as long as work gets done, the particulars of the where, when and how of it all is up to the individual. Employees want the choice, and they’ll thank you for it through an increased quality of work and decreased employment turnover.</p>
<h3>Do you have any general tips to help SMBs remain resilient and build their essential connections in the coming months?</h3>
<p><strong>Spend your money wisely</strong></p>
<p>Get your tools from one vendor to get a better price per user. Consolidating your tech stack can help cut costs and be more efficient with less onboarding and procurement.</p>
<p><strong>Improve your digital security measures</strong></p>
<p>By prioritising your security systems, you are avoiding unnecessary work and stress on the IT team. Invest in the best tools designed with security in mind.</p>
<p><strong>Help your employees work from anywhere</strong></p>
<p>All employees should have the tools and freedom to choose where they work. Part of this is understanding the evolving needs of employees. Your business will be more successful when staff are happy, and retention is more cost-effective than hiring and re-training replacements.</p>
<p><strong>Engage with customers where they are</strong></p>
<p>Customers are looking for ways to buy efficiently. By having the tools to engage with customers across various platforms, you set up your business to reach new markets.</p>
<p><strong>Ensure your business continuity through tech</strong></p>
<p>Future-proof your business and have business continuity by building agility and digital connections through tools that are tailored to your enterprise needs.</p>
<p><centre><iframe src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/716121/11521933-thrive-in-uncertainty-aligning-your-people-processes-and-technology-with-goto?client_source=small_player&#038;iframe=true" loading="lazy" width="100%" height="200" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title='The Next Stage Podcast, Thrive in uncertainty: Aligning your people, processes and technology with GoTo'></iframe></centre></p>
<p><span class="caption"><em>Joe Walsh of GoTo speaking to Web Summit about the state of play in remote working</em></span><br />
</p>
<h3>What do business owners need to know when looking for new tools to prepare for more and better remote working?</h3>
<p>Organisations should look to consume more from fewer vendors.</p>
<p>When Covid-19 struck, there was a scramble to ensure teams had everything needed to work remotely, but many of those tools overlap in functionality. With business costs and subscription fees increasing across the board, consolidating your tech stack will help to future-proof operations.</p>
<p>Another point to remember is that more tools mean more management and onboarding. Consolidate your tech stack and try to communicate with customers and staff on one platform. Without reliable communication, information will get lost, equating to a loss of revenue.</p>
<p>Our data shows that nearly half of those surveyed indicated they would quit their job over issues with inadequate technology. The tools you adopt should be simple to use and onboard, but provide everything your business needs seamlessly.</p>
<p>GoTo offers SMBs video conferencing, chat, and cloud phone systems, as well as a secure, IT management solution – all in one unified enterprise application.</p>
<h4>To learn more about GoTo’s offerings, you can discover the company’s<a href="https://www.goto.com/ucaas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">collaboration and communication tools</a> and <a href="https://www.goto.com/it-management" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remote access and support tools</a>. Meet the friendly GoTo team at booth E102 (Pavilion 1) or, if you need to get work done, check out the dedicated GoTo Flex Work Lounge at booth E541 (Pavilion 5).</h4>
<p><em><a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/closeua-woman-denim-jacket-typing-text-2214702275" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Main image</a> of a someone typing on a laptop: <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Elena_P88" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elena_P88</a>/<a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shutterstock</a></em></p>


A woman working from her home, as part of new remote work trends

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