Key Account Management Services and Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity Services for Lithuanian SMEs in 2020-2021

Project Information

SME Coach LT 2020-21

Grant agreement ID: 879514

DOI

10.3030/879514

Project closed

EC signature date 19 November 2019

Start date 1 January 2020

End date 31 December 2021

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 81 292,50

EU contribution

€ 81 292,50

Coordinated by

VIESOJI ISTAIGA LIETUVOS INOVACIJU CENTRAS
Lithuania

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

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

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.

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 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.

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 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.