The NBank Innovation Management Audit Tool has been used by NBank for 14 years now. NBank carried out more than 250 company assessments using this tool until now.
The method includes assessment, gap-findings and also proposes actions and support for their realization. The assessment starts with an intensive company visit including a structured interview in which auditors gather information. This data is edited with the help of an internet-based tool, including about 200 questions evaluating the input for each process and showing the innovation capacity for the company. Cases are inserted without company data to reflect data protection. Following the tool generates figures to be inserted to the assessment report. A written report using the figures of the tool combined with explanations from the auditors is provided to the audited company. It also includes proposed further actions for the client. Within a feed-back meeting, details of the report are discussed. One central part of this meeting includes the proposed actions in particular how those can be realized.
Using communication tools of the Enterprise Europe Network Niedersachsen the innovation management service was offered. Interested companies were identified through this communication and within the customer databases of the partners. The first contact clarified if the client showed the capability for innovation management.
For 56 clients the partners have been provided by the following actions:
Step l/2: Our auditors assessed the innovation management capacity and performed a gap analysis.
Step 3: The clients were supported in the realization of the actions deriving from the action plan (personal consulting, providing contacts to third parties for special tasks)
Step 4: The end of consulting services was defined. Involved partners provided a short report on the goals reached and additional needed effort.
For the second Work package, coordinator NBank identified 8 successful SME Instrument proposals from the region. NBank acted as Key Account Manager (KAM) for these SMEs. As a first step, the companies were asked, if they were interested in our KAM-service. If the reaction was positive, the company was visited to gather further details of the proposed project. Using the same know-how as in the enhancement activity, NBank analysed the state of the art of business development for the project found within the company.
When suitable, the NBank Innovation Management Audit tool was used. Following, it was agreed which additional consulting service was needed in order to assist the implementation of the project. Together with the clients, suitable consultants were found and the cooperation was established through meetings and agreements. Throughout the consultancy process, NBank supported with hints and help, if there were any problems. Within a final report the state of development and success of the project was described. Next steps to be done in the business development were fixed and also the further needed financing was defined. NBank proposed ways to get access to suitable financing.
