The KAM services were carried out according to plan. The KAM services started directly after approval of the beneficiary’s H2020-project with a first contact to carry out a needs analysis and to assess coaching priorities. Suitable business innovation coaches were selected from the provided database (EIC Case Tracker). Predominantly, international coaches were identified and selected by the beneficiaries and the coaching was most often performed with great satisfaction. The KAM moderated the coach-beneficiary interactions and accompanied the beneficiaries through their H2020 project. When relevant, EEN services under COSME were offered in parallel with KAM activities. Beneficiaries who received the “Seal of excellence” were offered three days of coaching as well as EEN services.
The EIMC services were also carried according to plan. The EIMC services started with a pre-meeting with selected SMEs. Innovation management and the EIMC process was presented in general terms and it was agreed on whether the collaboration should continue or not. The assessment was carried out using either one of IMP³rove’s two tools (IMP³rove approach or Innovation Management Excellence Assessment) or Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Health Check. The results were interpreted, a report was produced and an action plan addressing the main bottlenecks was developed and presented to the company.
Coaching was proposed during the implementation phase when an action plan was agreed on. The vast variety of needs led to a variety of need-based coaching workshops that were developed continuously during the project. Consequently, many workshops addressed one or more themes, including for example innovation strategy, strategic foresight, idea generation, service dominant logic, funding, strategic external partners, digital awareness and sustainability.
The services were carried out by twelve senior innovation experts from four different partners (IVF, RISE, Invest in Skane and LTU Business). All partners are active in Enterprise Europe Network (SweNet) under COSME and acting as a one-stop shop for business and innovation support to SMEs. Each client specific needs have been prioritized during the client journey ensuring that they made the best use of the local, national, and EU ecosystem.
The project was affected by Covid-19 during almost the entire project period. One consequence of this was a shift towards conducting all innovation services digitally.
In fact, digital KAM and EIMC services have been implemented beyond expectations and the entire project has proceeded during these new circumstances without interruptions. SMEs were willing to meet digitally and with no travel time even more participants could join the workshops.
