The project included two different service packages for two different target groups:
1) KAM (Key Account Management) for SME Instrument beneficiaries
2) EIMC (Enhancing innovation management capacity of SME’s) for SMEs having significant innovation activities and a high potential for international growth
The KAM services included in the first meeting a presentation of the coaching priciples as well as needs and gaps analysis (done by smE-MPOWER assessment tool). This was followed by listing potential coaches (if the SME did not have desired coach by themselves), support for the coach selection and coaching plan preparation and facilitating coach-SME-EASME interaction. The service package included approximately 2,5 days in Phase 1 and 4,5 days in Phase 2 The company specified actions depended on the companies' needs and schedule. Mainly the reuslts from the completed coaching activities have been positive. The clients have benefitted in receiving external expertise which is quite challenging to find by other means. There has been a wide variety of development issues and a holistic approach but the most common benefits have been strategy, contacts and better practices in entering new markets.
The KAM service was provided by Turku Science Park Ltd.The KAM service was performed to all Finnish SME Instrument beneficiaries, 69 SME's in total. The KAM process is completed in 28 companie and the service for the remaining 41 companies will continue under the following project period on 2017-2018.
The EIMC service included assessment of the SME innovation management capacity by using the IMP3rove assessment tool or smE-MPOWER. The next step of the service was creating an action plan based on the assessment and finally implementation of actions to tackle the innovation gaps found in the assessments. The actions done during the development phase were directed to various issues like business and innovation strategy, internationalisation, digitalisation, r&d process development, market and customer need understanding and finances.
The EIMC service was performed by Finpro to 37 and by Turku Science Park to 5 Finnish SMEs. From altogether 42 companies served 21 cases were completed and the remaining 21 cases will continue under the following project period on 2017-2018.
