KEY ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT AND ENHANCING INNOVATION MANAGEMENT CAPACITY SERVICES FOR LITHUNIAN SMEs

Project Information

SME Coach LT 2018

Grant agreement ID: 831284

DOI

10.3030/831284

Project closed

EC signature date 29 January 2019

Start date 1 January 2019

End date 31 December 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 38 333,75

EU contribution

€ 38 333,75

Coordinated by

VIESOJI ISTAIGA LIETUVOS INOVACIJU CENTRAS
Lithuania

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SME Coach LT 2018 (KEY ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT AND ENHANCING INNOVATION MANAGEMENT CAPACITY SERVICES FOR LITHUNIAN SMEs)

Reporting period: 2019-01-01 to 2019-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The purpose of SME Coach LT 2018 was to increase effectiveness and efficiency of investment in R&D and Innovation by providing Key Account Management services for the Lithuanian beneficiaries of the SME instrument and Fast Track to Innovation (FTI) and Future Emerging Technologies Open (FET-Open) projects and enhancing innovation management capacity services to Lithuanian SMEs having significant innovation activities and a high potential for internationalisation.
Specifically, for the beneficiaries of the SME Instrument FTI and FET-Open, the objective was to help them to identify the weakness in their innovation capacities that hinder realisation of growth opportunities and identify suitable coaches who would help to address these weaknesses. The “Key Account Management” (KAM) service accompanies the beneficiary trough the SME instrument project, identifying and promoting other opportunities that would advance their innovation. Secondly, the objective was to support SMEs with significant innovation activities and a high potential internationalisation in enhancing their innovation management capacities for more effectiveness and efficiency – “Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity” (EIMC) service was offered to these clients.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During 2019 six SMEs were receiving KAM and coaching services, and 18 SMEs enhanced their innovation management capacity. Since there were less SMEI beneficiaries than expected ( 6 instead of 10), four additional EIMC service packages were delivered to Lithuanian companies.KAM and EIMC services showed good synergies and complement the regular Enterprise Europe Network Services. Twelve companies receiving EIMC services were recommended by Enterprise Europe Network.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The KAM/coaching service directly impacted the innovation capabilities of the companies- it contributed to clarifying strategies, understanding the future partnership qualification and organisational change needs. Similarly, EIMC service improved innovation management system of the companies. Furthermore, the plans were developed for strengthening organisational capabilities, including competence development and staffing. It is expected, that as a result of these measures at least 15 jobs will be created/saved. It is expected that implemented optimisation of innovation management will increase the turnover EIMC clients on average by 5%. The impact on profitability will be clearer in the future.

Discussing innovation management