As Denmark geared up for its most recent election, Lars Løkke Rasmussen—a towering figure in Danish politics—made his way to Vollsmose, a neighborhood long associated with socio-economic challenges and a significant immigrant population.

Introduction

 Given its status as one of Denmark’s most marginalized areas, Vollsmose naturally became a focal point for Moderaterne, the centrist party Rasmussen now leads following his tenure as prime minister. Moderaterne aims to transcend the traditional left-right political divide, emphasizing pragmatic solutions such as fostering entrepreneurship in disadvantaged communities.

The event in Vollsmose was intended to be a dynamic dialogue on how to support emerging immigrant entrepreneurs. However, as I soon discovered, sharing a table with one of Denmark’s most influential leaders turned out to be far from the impactful experience I had envisioned.

Setting the stage

Through my friend Qasim, a former resident of Vollsmose, we organized the event at Respect, the NGO I founded. Our objective was straightforward: assemble a group of local entrepreneurs and provide them with an opportunity to voice their ideas, challenges, and needs directly to someone capable of effecting real change. With Lars Løkke Rasmussen as the guest of honor, the stakes were undeniably high—this was our chance to make a genuine impact.

Regrettably, the execution fell short of expectations. The short notice left little time for adequate preparation, and although we had entrepreneurs from Vollsmose present, the focus of the meeting soon began to unravel.

What went wrong

As we gathered around the table with Lars Løkke Rasmussen, the initial introductions were promising. Yet, as the conversation progressed, it became evident that the lack of preparation was a significant hindrance. Instead of concentrating on actionable proposals, many participants shared personal narratives about their struggles as immigrants in Denmark. While these stories were heartfelt and important, they did not align with the meeting’s purpose.

Sitting with one of Denmark’s most powerful politicians, we needed to present concrete legislative ideas, not personal anecdotes. Unfortunately, the participants seemed unaware of the opportunity before them. The discussion drifted into personal experiences rather than honing in on the systemic issues that prevent immigrant entrepreneurs from thriving. The absence of focus and a clear understanding of legislative processes became increasingly apparent, and I found myself growing ever more frustrated.(To his credit, Lars showed and admirable amount of empathy and inquisitiveness.)

Taking a not particularly concise shot.

Eventually, my turn to speak arrived, and I endeavored to steer the conversation back to the core issue: access to banking services for immigrant entrepreneurs. Having navigated the entrepreneurial landscape myself, particularly through my experience with Welltrado, I am acutely aware of how critical access to financial services is for starting and sustaining a business. Immigrant entrepreneurs, in particular, face substantial barriers in securing basic banking services and capital, which stifles their ability to grow and succeed.

I delineated the challenges these entrepreneurs confront, including discriminatory practices, difficulties in obtaining loans, and the complexities of navigating financial systems. My proposition was unequivocal: if Denmark is earnest about fostering entrepreneurship in disadvantaged neighborhoods, it must ensure that immigrant entrepreneurs have equal access to banking and capital.

Outcome

Months later, the Iværksætterpakken legislation passed, addressing many of the points I raised, including ensuring immigrant entrepreneurs can open basic business accounts. These reforms, aimed at improving access to capital and simplifying bureaucracy, are the systemic changes I had hoped for during the meeting. While I may have been just a voice in that room, I like to believe that my input contributed to the broader conversation leading to these legislative changes. But hey, probably not. However the experience did teach me a few things:

Lessons Learned

  • Preparation is Key: When meeting with someone as influential as Lars Løkke Rasmussen, thorough preparation is essential. You must arrive equipped with clear, actionable proposals if you hope to influence policy.
  • Control the Conversation: Meetings of this nature can easily devolve into personal stories and anecdotes. While these are significant, they seldom lead to concrete policy changes. It is crucial to guide the conversation and keep it focused on actionable solutions.
  • Seize the Moment: Opportunities to engage with political powerhouses are rare. When they arise, it is imperative to maximize the moment by articulating clear, specific ideas that can be implemented.

Conclusion

Sitting at the table with a former prime minister like Lars Løkke Rasmussen should have been a pivotal moment for effecting real, lasting change. Instead, it served as a lesson in how easily such opportunities can be squandered without proper preparation. This experience has reshaped my approach to these kinds of meetings—next time, I will enter the room with a clear agenda, armed with proposals that can transform ideas into action.

An approach I took when another party came looking for action(read more)…