Kathleen Barclay, president of Endeavor Chile: “The future of the country depends a lot on the ability to generate new ideas”

The American Kathleen Barclay arrived in Chile for the first time in 1982, at the age of 25, as leader of the corporate credit area for Latin America at Chase Manhattan Bank (today JP Morgan Chase & Co.), with the mission of restructuring foreign debt. She liked the country, especially “because of the commitment of Chileans to their nation.” That's why, 10 years later, when the opportunity to work as a banker on Chilean soil arose, she didn't think about it and settled in. 32 years have passed, during which Kathleen has been weaving extensive networks in the Chilean business sector. Today she is director of the Chilean North American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham); principal of Asesorías KCB Ltda, a company focused on business between the United States and Chile; member of the board of directors of the Adolfo Ibáñez University (UAI) and the Advisory Council of the Center for Public Studies (CEP). But it is her presidency of the board of directors of Endeavor, the global network of entrepreneurs, that calls for this interview. Ella Receives EL PAÍS in her apartment, located in Santa María de Manquehue, a neighborhood in the eastern sector of the capital. The meeting takes place a few days after the National Business Meeting (Enade), an event that brought together on April 25 the main representatives of the Chilean business community and almost the entire left-wing Government Cabinet of Gabriel Boric, including the president, who He was in charge of one of the main speeches of the event. Relations between businessmen and the Government are not in good health, and despite signs of closer positions during the meeting, the goal has not been achieved. Question. The Chilean business community today is pessimistic, we saw it in the letters to shareholders in the companies' reports and also in some of Enade's speeches. What is your diagnosis? Answer. I think it's important that there is honesty. The fact that businessmen are expressing their real concerns with the motivation to seek solutions is something positive. Because problems that are swept under the rug are not solved. I don't see that as negative or pessimistic. I see it as a responsibility towards the country. But I do think that sometimes people here don't put Chile in the global context. We face a very difficult world, with wars, tensions between the United States and China, everywhere there are questions about how to provide social security to people and there is also fragmentation and political changes in many countries. What happens in Chile is happening all over the world. I don't want to minimize how difficult it has been here, but Chile has faced it in a democratic and institutional way, trying to find common solutions. Seen this way, I think that Chile in the global context is relatively well. Can you do better? Yes, and I think the anxiety to do better is good. What I would like to see more of, that's why I like entrepreneurs, are concrete solutions to the problems that exist. And I think that entrepreneurs who are small today and who can be big tomorrow are doing that.P. And how do you see the Boric Government in that context? A. The president has been very democratic and institutional. And I say that because I can't say the same about a certain former president of the United States who may return. That is important. I believe that he is someone who came to a Government without experience and it is not a surprise that there are great management challenges. I hope that he will accelerate the process of addressing, particularly, the issues of security and growth. There is no doubt that everyone is united behind solving these types of problems.Q. What is your view of the relationship between businessmen and the Government? A. I speak here in the position of Endeavor and I believe that there is a large group of new entrepreneurs that are being born, who are entrepreneurs who are looking for ways to solve things. They are used to facing challenges with agility and optimism. I think Chile is a great country, there is a lot to do and entrepreneurship is doing it. For example, the Scale Ups (companies that grow at least 20% a year for three years) with which we work are 1% of the companies, but they are generating 42% of the jobs in the country. If I look at that aspect, I see optimistic things and I think entrepreneurs are driving that mood.Q. Is there a change in how entrepreneurs are looking at the country, compared to more traditional businessmen? A. Entrepreneurs anywhere, it has nothing to do with Chile, look at where the challenges are, what the solutions are, and seek to introduce those changes. That is the entrepreneurial spirit that exists anywhere in the world, but I think you see it much more in Chile right now. One reason is because there are more challenges. Things are changing very quickly and necessity is the mother of invention. Number two, there are many more Chileans who have left Chile and have this broader, more global perspective, which can help find solutions that are more connected to the rest of the world. Q. Why do you think that entrepreneurs have not entered the traditional circles of business power in Chile, for example, in unions such as Sofofa (Sociedad de Fomento Fabril) or the CPC (Confederation for Production and Commerce).R. That has to happen and I think it will happen in time. This Scale Ups phenomenon is relatively new, it is about five years old. And in the first 10 they have to focus a lot on their venture for it to be successful. In time I see space and I believe that the unions understand the importance. Rosario (Navarro, president of Sofofa), understands a lot about entrepreneurship and is introducing ideas. It is something that is happening, but not from one day to the next. We have to push.P. Today we are in a debate about how Chile can grow more. What is the role of entrepreneurship in this challenge of achieving development? A. It's fundamental. Entrepreneurship is the path to development in any country. If you look at the United States, the 100 largest companies from 20 years ago are not the 100 largest companies today. I believe that the future of Chile depends a lot on the ability to generate new ideas, take advantage of the opportunities that are here, with people capable of defining a vision and a strategy that allows it to scale.P. He has been heading Endeavor Chile for a year. How do you see the local entrepreneurial ecosystem? A. I have been there since the birth of Endeavor in Chile 25 years ago. And I see a tremendous difference. Before, entrepreneurship was important, but they were more or less medium-sized companies, 10, 20, 30 million dollars in sales. But today I really see entrepreneurs of another level that can scale and be very relevant companies worldwide. It is a matter of looking at cases that are already well known such as NotCo, Betterfly or Buk.P. And how do you envision the future of Chilean entrepreneurship? A. I see Chile as a great scientific base, a laboratory for many things around mining, agriculture, biotechnology, etc. And today I see people who have had a lot of international experience and academic preparation, generating ideas that not only generate a company, but also generate transformations. I believe that Chile is at a moment where it can generate industries of great importance to the world. It is the country where I see the most entrepreneurs with the potential to scale globally. It is a special moment and we have to help make it a reality. 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