SME Policy – Beyond the crises Steiermark/Croatian Regions Brussels, 28 May 2009

1. SME Policy – Beyond the crises Steiermark/Croatian RegionsBrussels, 28 May 2009 Daniel Gassmann, Head of Sector Services, Quality and Reporting Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation PLACE PARTNER’S LOGO HERE European CommissionEnterprise and Industry

2. EACI’s remit: CIP EIP

3. Enterprise Europe Network • Builds on the experience and know how of EIC and IRC Networks • “One stop shop – no wrong door” • More than 500 Partners • Operations in 44 European countries and beyond • 3000 experienced professionals

4. Services offered: one-stop-shop for SMEs • Awareness raising & access to information • Feedback to Commission • Partnering services (commercial, technological, research projects) • Technology and knowledge transfer • Stimulating the capacity to innovate (innovation support services)

5. Setting the scene for success: ambitious targets 2008-2010

6. EACI’s role for the Network 1/2 • Development and Maintenance of European Databases and communication tools (messenging system and extranet) • Training for the Network • Providing tailor made information • « Inject » quality mechanisms • Provide communication support (graphical charter)

7. EACI’s role for the Network 2/2 • Raise knowledge of the Network (Good practices, Working Groups, Sector Groups) • Liaise with other Commission related resources • Promote the Network on the European Scene, in association with Commission • Ensure sound governance of Network (EEN, EACI, Commission) • Create the Network effect

8. GOOD PRACTICES • Good practices = methods used in work processes whose outputs best meet customer requirements. • Good practices enable Network Partners to fulfill their mandate by enhancing professionalism. • EACI will use the Network partners good practices to spread expertise and excellence in the Enterprise Europe Network. They help and inspire other Network Partners to improve how they work.

9. Good Practices procedure 1. Submission at any moment Spontaneously After thematic suggestion by EACI (EU and Services bulletin) 2. Yearly Awards At annual conference Possibility for validated good practice to compete

10. Assessment • The proposer shall receive feedback from EACI within 4 weeks. Criteria of evaluation: • relevance to the Network activities • quality, • innovativeness, • transferability and • ways of adapting to fit Network partners needs • If further development is required, the EACI will develop an action plan in conjunction with the Network partner to allow that the Good Practice or process can be exploited by the network

11. Promotion EACI will support its promotion via : • workshops • good practice or “vertical” web pages • trainings • annual conference best practice award

12. Manage consortium Communication / Promotion Interaction with host organisation Diagnosing customer's needs Winning new clients Commercialisation of Network Services Website serving as a platform for services to clients SME and Staff Training Monitoring performance Measuring Customer satisfaction Quality Management System Internal management tool Promoting European Initiatives and programmes (except FP7) Manage Sector Group Brokerage Events and Company Missions Promotion / dissemination of TT / BCD profiles Assessment and production of TO, TR and Business Cooperation forms Publications SME Feedback Business Cooperation negotiation assistance Provide information or services about public tenders Intercultural business behaviour management Technology Audit TTT contract assistance Innovation support services Use of AMT Promoting the participation of SMEs in FP7 Access to finance IPR Cooperation with Clusters / Academia Other

13. Contact Please visit our website www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu Thank you for your attention !