No business runs by itself. The amount and variety of work you have to do yourself when starting a business is often underestimated.
Meet Dr. Petra Arends-Paltzer, an experienced banker and lawyer who specialized in the area of digitalization. She is the founder of Davos Digital Forum and of RoleModel Rebels. In addition she is the co-founder of Swiss LegalTech. For these efforts she received in 2018 the award “Woman of Legal Tech 2018” and in 2020 she was also awarded “European Woman of Legal Tech”. She possesses a deep understanding and extensive knowledge in the current digital marketplaces and landscapes, especially in Legal; Gov + Reg Tech but also in “Smart City” environments/topics. She is the co-author of a bestselling book “Digital Transformation and Legal Transformation”. Personally, she is interested in topics that center around democratization through digitization.
Tell us a little bit about your current projects. What exciting milestone would you like to share with our readers? (Don’t hesitate to delve into your achievements, they will inspire the audience)
Dr. Petra Arends-Paltzer: I am Dr. Petra Arends-Paltzer (European Woman of Legal Tech 2020) and I have conceptualized ‘Rolemodel Rebels’.
I have more than 30 years of international work experience in different countries. Again and again, young women, in particular, have asked me for advice/mentoring. Numerous platforms focus on women’s empowerment. But they are often topic-based (women in Tech, women in AI, women in Big Data) or country-based. I have a large international network of women from a wide range of professions. We are all united by the fact that we have to face the challenges of digitalization. Most digital challenges are the same for all of us, regardless of whether we are architects, doctors, or lawyers. It’s about basic technical understanding, implementing the legal framework (GDPR), and digital marketing. Out of these considerations RoleModel Rebels was born.
Rolemodel Rebels is essentially a cross-industry, global network of more than 200 women in key managerial positions (growing daily). Attendees or followers come from over 45 countries; however, the majority are currently working in Europe. One of the community’s aims is to offer one-to-one mentoring for [younger] women to help them develop their professional careers. The other goal is to further develop the potential of the mentors and to generate business together.
In addition to pure networking Rolemodel Rebels will presently launch a series of webinar ‘masterclasses’ covering digitalization topics as well as presenting ‘hands-on’ cases. Subjects explaining developments in AI, Big Data, Robotics, Machine Learning, new digital business models, and/or generic ones like ‘how to develop ethical AI in business’ are a few examples of what we will be focusing on. The common denominator will be on topics that will in the future affect all companies and their employees in equal measure. We will launch Rolemodel Rebels on June 22nd, 2021 with a masterclass on “EU Funding programs for Entrepreneurs”.
Can you tell us a story about the hard times that you faced when you first started your journey? Did you ever consider giving up?
Dr. Petra Arends-Paltzer: No business runs by itself. The amount and variety of work you have to do yourself when starting a business are often underestimated. I have started a few projects that were not successful. For example, digital marketing for legal professions. I completely underestimated how conservative this professional group is and how little they are interested in new and digital concepts. But this “failure” has always resulted in something new and exciting, such as the Davos Digital Forum and my heart’s project, RoleModel Rebels.
What are the most common mistakes you see entrepreneurs make and what would you suggest they do?
Dr. Petra Arends-Paltzer: Because most start-ups don’t have substantial funding, they save, unfortunately in the wrong places. One is that they forego legal protection for their own businesses and data. The other mistake is that they don’t know how proper digital marketing works. Just because you have an account on TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter and post every now and then, unfortunately, doesn’t mean you have implemented an effective and sustainable marketing strategy. A good business idea has to be taken to the next level with sophisticated digital marketing strategies, and that takes time and costs money. Most start-ups are not aware of this.
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Has the pandemic and transitioning into mostly online shopping affected your company positively or negatively?
Dr. Petra Arends-Paltzer: The pandemic has not harmed my business – an international exclusive network of women and aspires, propelling each other… on the contrary, Rolemodel Rebels is growing, daily.
In your opinion, what makes your company stand out from the competition?
Dr. Petra Arends-Paltzer: In a very short time (3 months) I managed to have 200+ women from more than 45 countries supporting each other. They are proud to be a #Rolemodel. Mostly, all of them post the mission + vision of Rolemodel Rebels on their social networks so that the platform grows every day. This pride of being part of a new international women empowerment platform distinguishes Rolemodel Rebels from the competition. Rolemodel Rebels has more than 200 ambassadors and the sky’s the limit!
What do you consider are your strengths when dealing with staff workers, colleagues, senior management, and customers?
Dr. Petra Arends-Paltzer: I am always 100% committed and do even the smallest admin work myself. I have also implemented all the technology behind the website (automation, payment systems, Google Analytics, SEO, etc.) myself, so I know what I am delegating. I can always communicate at eye level.
How important do you think it is for a leader to be mindful of his own brand?
Dr. Petra Arends-Paltzer: The brand transports the ideas and values of a company and is one of the most important elements in building a company.
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How would you define “leadership”?
Dr. Petra Arends-Paltzer: Leading by example.
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What advice would you give to our younger readers that want to become entrepreneurs?
Dr. Petra Arends-Paltzer: Never give up – be prepared for the fact that the business model will always have to be adjusted. And very importantly, make decisions, even if they are unpleasant. Ideally, you have good (moral) support from friends and family.
What’s your favorite “life lesson” quote and how has it affected your life?
Dr. Petra Arends-Paltzer: “Stick with it and never give up.”
This interview was originally published on ValiantCEO.
