Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EST-KAM20-21 (Estonian Key Account Management Services 2020-2021)
Reporting period: 2020-01-01 to 2021-12-31
The objective of the EST-KAM20-21 project is to enhance the innovation management capacity of Estonian SMEs to improve their competitiveness on the global market. The action is aimed at two kinds of SMEs:
• SME beneficiaries of the H2020 European Innovation Council (EIC) pilot (including the EIC Accelerator and the EIC Pathfinder, and Fast Track to Innovation); and
• SMEs with significant innovation activities and a high potential for internationalisation.
For SME beneficiaries of Horizon 2020, the Key Account Management (KAM) service package consists of identifying weaknesses in the innovation capacities of the beneficiary; identifying suitable coaches (based on the assessment in the first step) to address the identified weaknesses and moderating the coach-client relationship; and accompanying the beneficiary through the Horizon 2020 project.
The Enhancing the innovation management capacity of SME's (EIMC) service packages consists of carrying out a diagnostic audit of the selected SMEs; and developing and implementing a tailored action plan to improve the SME’s capacity to manage innovation processes.
• SME beneficiaries of the H2020 European Innovation Council (EIC) pilot (including the EIC Accelerator and the EIC Pathfinder, and Fast Track to Innovation); and
• SMEs with significant innovation activities and a high potential for internationalisation.
For SME beneficiaries of Horizon 2020, the Key Account Management (KAM) service package consists of identifying weaknesses in the innovation capacities of the beneficiary; identifying suitable coaches (based on the assessment in the first step) to address the identified weaknesses and moderating the coach-client relationship; and accompanying the beneficiary through the Horizon 2020 project.
The Enhancing the innovation management capacity of SME's (EIMC) service packages consists of carrying out a diagnostic audit of the selected SMEs; and developing and implementing a tailored action plan to improve the SME’s capacity to manage innovation processes.
We provided the KAM service to all Estonian SME beneficiaries of the EIC Pilot. The EIMC service was completed for 26 Estonian SMEs during the 2-year period.
We used the smE-MPOWER tool to identify the coaching needs of Estonian SME Instrument beneficiaries, provided a list of coached to meet the needs, and assisted the SME-coach relationships throughout the coaching service provision. In addition, we supported the SMEs in implementing their projects.
In the EIMC service, we used the Innovation Health Check tool to identify the strengths and weaknesses in innovation management of the participating SME. The identified issues were addressed by consortiums’ experts and external advisors.
SME receiving the services were introduced to the whole list of Enterprise Europe Network services. When relevant, the SMEs were signposted to the Network partner best positioned to complement the coaching and EIMC services with additional support.
We used the smE-MPOWER tool to identify the coaching needs of Estonian SME Instrument beneficiaries, provided a list of coached to meet the needs, and assisted the SME-coach relationships throughout the coaching service provision. In addition, we supported the SMEs in implementing their projects.
In the EIMC service, we used the Innovation Health Check tool to identify the strengths and weaknesses in innovation management of the participating SME. The identified issues were addressed by consortiums’ experts and external advisors.
SME receiving the services were introduced to the whole list of Enterprise Europe Network services. When relevant, the SMEs were signposted to the Network partner best positioned to complement the coaching and EIMC services with additional support.
As a result of the services provided, the SME beneficiaries have significantly enhanced their innovation management capabilities. There are now much better positioned to launch their products to the market and scale up their activities. Hence, the chances of being successful on the market are substantially better than before the services.
The potential impact of the services is millions of additional revenue and tens of new jobs created by the SMEs receiving the services.
The potential impact of the services is millions of additional revenue and tens of new jobs created by the SMEs receiving the services.