Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SME Coach LT 2020-21 (Key Account Management Services and Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity Services for Lithuanian SMEs in 2020-2021)
Reporting period: 2020-01-01 to 2021-12-31
The purpose of SME Coach LT 2020-2021 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 to provide services for enhancing innovation management capacity of 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 realization of growth opportunities and identify suitable coaches who would help to address these weaknesses. The “Key Account Management” (KAM) service accompanies the supported SMEs beneficiaries trough the 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.
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 realization of growth opportunities and identify suitable coaches who would help to address these weaknesses. The “Key Account Management” (KAM) service accompanies the supported SMEs beneficiaries trough the 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.
During 2020-2021 period four SMEs received KAM and coaching services, and 31 SMEs enhanced their innovation management capacity. Since there were 4 beneficiaries for KAM services as planned some additional EIMC service packages were delivered to Lithuanian SMEs. KAM and EIMC services showed good synergies and complement the regular Enterprise Europe Network Services. 31 (29 planned) companies receiving EIMC services in total for the period.
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 27 jobs will be created/saved. It is expected that implemented optimisation of innovation management will increase the turnover EIMC clients on average by 12%. The impact on profitability will be clearer in the future.