A new era of craft in Ukraine: HCU and MIM transforms creativity into business success

Throughout 2020, the MIM Business School quickly responded to changes in the business environment and steadily took on new challenges. In addition to standard programmes, non-standard projects and training formats have emerged. Upon successful completion of the GNR.NEXT programme, described by Mrs. Iryna Tykhomyrova, head of the MIM Business School, as „our quick response to the new Covid reality“, on November 30 we have launched the Crafting Business Makers School (CBMS) – our new ambitious project started in partnership with the Handicraft Chamber of Ukraine and with the WeCreate digital platform.

СBMS is the first school in Ukraine for creative people, manufacturers, designers, providing effective tools for a successful business.

In her presentation of the conceptual approach, Mrs. Olena Kirianova, lecturer at the MIM Business School, Ph.D., associate professor and head of the CBMS programme has stated: “The main project idea is to convey to artisans how to organically combine creativity with their business in order to realize their productive potential. During the study course, participants will receive answers to a variety of questions, in particular: why do I need a business plan, who is my client and how shall I work with him. The training modules are conducted by reputable teachers of the MIM Business School, leading Ukrainian craftswomen- and men and trusted business mentors”.

The purpose of the training is to unleash personal and managerial potential of artisans on the path of transforming their favourite craft into a competitive business. It´s all about artisans already present on the market and those who are just about starting their business adventure.

The idea of organising a business school for the community of craft professions was an idea for many years of Mrs. Maryna Popovic, head of the Handicraft Chamber of Ukraine and a graduate of our business school (MBA, 2005), and of Mrs. Elizabeth Miroshnichenko, general secretary of the Handicraft Chamber of Ukraine , also a graduate of the MIM (GNR.NEXT, 2020). Thanks to the World Craft Council Europe and the Crafting Europe project, they were able to implement this initiative.

“We pursue a research strategy of craft as a separate economic activity and craft as a sovereign (cultural and business) phenomenon. Our task is to translate a crisis into opportunities, to enrich an already existing creative craft potential into a powerful business approach. In its stand-alone and uncompromising approach, MIM is an unmatched and reliable partner in the field of business education, since it is able to positively transform one´s consciousness – as I myself have experienced it. In addition, MIM is the best business school in Ukraine, well-established in Europe and globally”, as Mrs. Maryna Popovic has pointed out.

“Digital” has nowadays become an integral part of crafts. WeCreate operates in Ukraine as a platform for promoting businesses and co-operations between all members of all craft industries. Mrs. Elizabeth Miroshnichenko: “WeCreate serves as a door opener for all those who want to shape a new Ukraine, who wish to successfully interact with peers and transform creative activity into a successful business, but also for all those who just want to support crafts. Craftspeople can register on the platform where they receive a Craft-ID that from then on will help Ukrainian artisans entering the European craft market.”

The CBMS training is based on the Crafting Business programme, embedded in the wide-spanning Crafting Europe partnership, comprising nine organisations from eight European countries dedicated to strengthening their craft sector, their unique craft producers and products, and to preservation of crafts for future generations.

Handicraft in Ukraine has a great hidden potential for growth, and, under favourable conditions, may translate into an economic miracle. But we are not there yet. So far, only 1.2% of Ukrainian handicraft businesses are pursuing successful niche strategies. Nevertheless, we are confident that the CBMS project will scale up and contribute to an efficient development of Ukrainian handicraft!

From: MIM Business School