SME Assembly 2015 Documentation

7/23/2019 SME Assembly 2015 Documentation

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Table of Contents

Contents

Informal Opening of The SME Assembly 2015 ...........2

Opening addresses ....................................................................3

Five stories shared by five entrepreneurial women

.............................................................................................................4Open Space Technology..........................................................9

Open Space posters .............................................................. 18

The European Enterprise Promotion Awards ......... 47

Ideas from Europe .................................................................. 51

On November 19 and 20 over 600 delegates interested in SME´s

in Europe, gathered together to find out how to move forward

together. Delegates were a mix of policy makers, SMEs

(startups, scaleups and standups), NGOs, business associations,

chambers and local, national and regional authorities and from

press and media.

The first day of the programme was highly participatory, where delegates shared stories

and engaged in conversations around topics on SMEs: their opportunities & challenges the

various systems supporting them, roles of actors in the business environment in Europe

The second day provided both opportunities for deepening learnings through Master

Classes or Policy Sessions as well as providing ground breaking talks by inspiring

entrepreneurs from all over Europe.

Many of the themes that surfaced during the Assembly were familiar but still valid, e.g. The

Internal Market needs to further align and implement rules, financing can still be achallenge for SMEs, especially for women entrepreneurs, while easy access to information

and education is needed at all levels of running business.

Other less traditional areas need to be understood and integrated and in some cases

regulated e.g. new models of funding, new models of ownership, new “groups” and types of

entrepreneurs etc.

The good news is that SMEs in Europe are growing and creating jobs for the first time since

the start of the crisis and therefore constitute an important part of society, more than ever.

The following is a short account of the two days activities and conversations. This documenthas been established with great care. Despite careful preparation and checking it may

contain errors for which we apologise. This publication does not necessarily reflect the view

or the position of the European Commission.

DOCUMENTATION

SME Assembly 18-19-20. November



2

Reception at the EIB, Luxembourg

Wednesday 18 November

Informal Opening of The SME Assembly 2015

The SME Assembly 2015 was unofficially opened by the “European SME week Reception”held in the lobby of the European Investment Bank in the evening of November 18.

The reception was opened by Mr. André Meyer from DG GROW calling for a minute ofsilence in memory of the recent events in Paris. After that, the President of the EIB, MrWerner Hoyer welcomed us and reminded us of the changing times that Europe is goingthrough.

Commissioner Bieńkowska emphasised all that is needed to create the best possibleenvironment for SMEs, starting with the policy environment conducive to the SME growthin Europe.

The Minister of the Economy and Trade of Luxembourg, Mr. Etienne Schneider, gave awarm welcome to entrepreneurs in his country, underlining the importance of SMEs inparticular for a country like the Grand Duchy.

We were made aware of the breadth and diversity of talent in the room. This included theyoungest delegate, Lily 'Scout' Haigh-Neal, a 13-year old serial entrepreneur from Australia.We were assured that all the knowledge present in the room would be put to good use thenext day since the Assembly will be run in a way to assure meaningful participation fromeverybody.

Finally, the Committee of the Regions, through launching of its European EntrepreneurialRegion Award (EER 2017) emphasised the dynamism that lies in our cities and regions.



3

Francine Closener, Minister of State for the Economy

for the Grand Duchy

Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska

Thursday 19 November

Opening addresses

Francine Closener, Minister of State for the Economy for the Grand Duchy welcomed us to

Luxembourg. In her speech she mentioned that the meeting offers a unique opportunity for all

players in the field to meet and exchange their views on the work that remains to be done to

remove barriers and make the Single Market a reality.

She encouraged entrepreneurs to continue mobilizing and contributing to the growth of the

economy.

She referred to the two priorities of the Luxembourg Presidency, which are:

The wish to highlight and exploit the European added value and in particular the “cost of

non-Europe”

Advance the mainstreaming of competitiveness across all pol icy areas. The aim is to

promote a transversal approach that addresses the needs of enterprises, particularly SMEs.

She put particular emphasis on the Digital Single Market strategy and on the importance of small

business and female entrepreneurs.

Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska her intervention with the motto of the Assembly: 'Forward.

Together'. We need to join forces for success.

Small and Medium companies are essential to growth and there are positive signs - more than one

million new jobs were created last year. But what exactly do SMEs need from the EU? There are

already more choices, lower prices, but still there is a need to do more.

Obstacles include the internal market. This is not working for citizens and companies are being held

back. This is a key priority for the new Commission and it has pledged to take action. The EC needs

to work with SMEs and Member States to ensure compliance with and enforcement of EU laws. To

do this, they need to have an increase in the understanding of the rules and a decrease in the

number of regulations. Most importantly we need to learn from each other and wo rk together.

Finally, our hosts for the day's sessions, Penny Hunt and Ursula Hillbrand, outlined the participatorynature of the event: that everyone in the room has knowledge and ideas to contribute, and the

invitation is for every single person to come forward, feed the discussion so that afterwards we work

better together for the benefit of the SMEs.



4

Five story-tellers surrounded by Ursula Hillbrand and Penny Hunt

Betty Fontaine, Brasserie Simon

Five stories shared by five entrepreneurial women

After the welcome address, five women led by HRH the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg entered the

stage. They each shared their personal story of entrepreneurship.In addition to HRH, the storytellers were; Betty Fontain from Brasserie Simon, Henryka Bochniarz

from Leviatan, Marianne Costigan from Merian Ventures and Amy Millman, from Springboard

Enterprises.

While the stories were shared, the delegates were listening to five different aspects of the stories.

The five perspectives encompassed 1) challenges and opportunities 2) breakthroughs 3) success

factors 4) applicability 5) what questions the story might raise. Such focussed listening helps to see

in more detail and to see further.

Betty Fontaine, Brasserie Simon

Betty shared a story about how she broke away from the traditional roles and expectations put on

her, when she took on the family business. Starting from zero, she had to learn the hard way to run

a business, manage people and find good clients. A Businesswoman of the year award marked a

turning-point, which in essence led to a realisation that, as a small company, her strength lays in

being different, in terms of products, services and quality. She needed to get people to believe in her

business. Her goal was not necessarily to grow bigger but simply to continue with quality. She is now

looking to 2024, which will be the 200th anniversary of the company. And as she does so, she is

concentrating on not necessarily being bigger but certainly better.

“ We do not need to be bigger, just better at what we do”



5

Henryka Bochniarz, Leviatan

Marianne Costigan, Merian Ventures

Henryka Bochniarz, Leviatan

Henryka Bochniarz presented her story as a fairy tale. Born into a time of global disruption following

the Second World War, Henryka saw education as a route to escaping poverty. This led her to a

degree from Warsaw School of Economics, later an Asla Fulbright Scholarship to the USA after whichshe returned back to Poland. Poland was, at this time, going through societal and political changes

driven by the Solidarity movement. The opportunities offered at this time led Henryka to first start

her own company, later accepting an offer to become a minister in the new government. She alsoestablished a confederation of private employers and was later invited to join Boeing where she

stayed for 8 years. This new experience inspired her to co-fund the Congress of Women. Later she

produced a book 'Be yourself and win' and now she mentors others on their business journeys.

Henryka gave three recommendations: Life is the biggest investment! Diversify your portfolio, your

friends and hobbies – and know yourself!

“Have a business plan for the long, medium, and short term. But you don't need to

stick to it! There is always something interesting on the other side of the river.”

Marianne Costigan, Merian Ventures

Marianne Costigan currently works for an investment company, which supports companies where

there is at least one female founder. As in the case of the previous two speakers, her path has been

influenced by external factors, such as the political situation in her home country, Ireland, as well as

her parents values. Initially starting out with McKinsey, gave her a solid preparation for her future

ventures. Later Marianne moved into industry, which brought with it a new set of challenges.

However in her particular field of theatre lighting she saw how software was key to the success of

the company. She later became involved in a start-up software company, which was eventually

taken over by IBM. This brought her to a new crossroads in her career. A colleague encouraged her

to follow her heart and to take on a challenge which best suited her own particular talents, as a

marketing manager. From there she moved on to new challenges, driven by her passion for

supporting new developments and so she found herself in a new role, working for a venturecompany. She encouraged the audience to 'give it a go ' and risk making mistakes.

Marianne acknowledged that for women there is an issue regarding the funding. Studies have

shown that men are more likely to receive funding even when proposing the same ideas as women.

At the same time other studies show that those companies with at least one woman as a co-founder

have the most success.

“ Give it a 'go' and risk making mistakes”



6

Amy Millman, Springboard Enterprises

HRH The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

Amy Millman, Springboard Enterprises

Amy started her story by telling the audience that entrepreneurship was not a spectator sport, we

all need to engage. As she said, global phenomenon start from a single idea and we need

entrepreneurs to have the vision to move these ideas to success.

She too was initially influenced by traditional ideas of what her role in life should be. So when she

first started looking for work she wanted something to fit into these expectations. But she grew upin a time where there was a growing belief that you could change the world. It was a time where

doors were opening - although you needed to give them a kick! She was inspired by other womenand particularly influenced by mentors who taught her to be true to herself. She also saw how

important it was to bring people together, to form networks. These networks should reach out to all

the stakeholders, bringing them together to create a common agenda. So whilst she is not an

'entrepreneur' in her own eyes she has worked tirelessly to create these networks and advance the

cause of entrepreneurs.

“Entrepreneurship is not a spectator sport”

HRH the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

The Grand Duchess acknowledged that she was not an entrepreneur in the traditional sense and yet

her role closely involves her in what she termed 'nation branding'. Beyond her main role, she is

passionate about the negative effects of poverty, refusing to believe that this state should be

considered endemic.

It was as a goodwill ambassador for UNESCO that she experienced a pivotal moment. Whilst visiting

Bangladesh she was introduced to a woman who was benefitting from micro-financing in order to

house herself and her son whilst buying chickens and selling eggs in her village. All this was possible

under a scheme run by the Grameen Bank.

Ten years later HRH returned with the head of the bank, Muhammad Yunus, and was delighted to

see the impact of the loan. The woman had been able to make enough money to send her son toschool. And he was now learning to be a pilot. The micro financing project had already impacted the

next generation.

In Senegal she saw at first hand how micro financing had helped women set up small cooperatives.In order to run these the women had to expand their education, to be able to manage their

business. This led on to their success and this success then encouraged the men in their

communities to wish to emulate this and so they in turn sought to be better educated. Clearly theimpact of micro financing goes beyond the individual and reaches out to the wider society.



7

Looking at the stories through

five different perspectivesAfter hearing the stories delegates were invited to share some of

their insights while enjoying the coffee. For the last part of the coffee

break delegates were asked to have conversations in smaller groups

about one of the following questions, depending on which

perspective they had initially listened to:

1.

In your view, what are the significant challenges or

opportunities that SMEs will face in the coming years?

2. What can we learn from the stories that can translate into

lessons for other entrepreneurs?

3. What are some factors that enable long term success for SMEs?

4. What solutions from the stories we heard and / or we know of,

could be successfully applied in other contexts?

5. What important unanswered question do we now have, on how

to help SMEs grow?

After the conversations everyone returned to the main room t o share insights.

Some of the themes that emerged from the stories kept showing up in all or most of the five

stories i.e.:

1 The need to cultivate a SME-friendly culture including acceptance of failure, dealing with

stereotyped expectations and pressure from society, community or family

1. Ensuring the needed skills and competencies both in the entrepreneur as well as in the

business. Start cultivating skills and foster a spirit of entrepreneurship from an early age as

well as later on.

2. Easy access to finance and information e.g. having a one-stop information point or creating

a climate of easier access to loans and other forms of financing

3. Regulation needs to be easier or more flexible e.g. a legislation that is less hard on

entrepreneurs re. social payments, or a legislation that is easily understood or decreasing

the administrative burden.

4.

Support for entrepreneurs e.g. mentors, networks, role models or professional boards

5. Lastly entrepreneurs need to cultivate personal qualities like resilience, courage,

multitasking, authenticity, inspiration, risk acceptance.

Other themes that emerged from the stories from the women entrepreneurs perspective

An MIT research showing that investors who hear the same pitch from women and men

entrepreneurs are twice as likely to invest in the men as in the women.

Women seemed to readily admit that they did do not know everything but were willing to learn.

Women seemed to value being authentic, and accepting strengths and weaknesses.In some cultures (e.g. India, Bangladesh, Africa), where Grameen Bank extends micro-loans, women

are seen as very trustworthy and the ones that can get a family out of poverty.

*) See Appendix 1, at the end of this document, for a full documentation of all notes from the

conversations after the stories



8

Conversations after the stories

The story tellers reflect back on what they heard from the audience

Reflections from the panel of women

Following the interventions of the delegates, the panellists were given an opportunity to reflect

once more on their key messages.

Betty Fontaine pleaded for the right to fail, to make mistakes. It isn't possible to succeed every time.

But you need political incentives to encourage this, otherwise people are not willing to take risks.

You need to acknowledge their efforts.

Henryka Bochniarz reflected on the barriers caused by the “usual suspects”, regulatory framework.

She would like to see something done, really done, not just discussed. Businesses need to be

encouraged rather than spending their time fighting bureaucracy.

Marianne Costigan reiterated the need to embrace failure although she felt that this should be

experienced at an early age. Give young people the possibility to experience entrepreneurship and

to fail early on so that they can grow.

Amy Millman talked about the two conflicting themes of aspiration and expectation. She looks to a

future, which encourages and inspires. But there is a need for a framework to respect this struggle.

There should be eco-systems to support this. By looking at society and rethinking how we may lead

to change.

HRH the Grand Duchess also touched on the themes of failure, solidarity and coaching.

She proposed looking more closely at micro enterprises and at what lessons could be learnt.

She made particular note of how the model in Bangladesh brings groups of 5 women together.

In this way, if one fails the others pitch in to help her.

She concluded by talking about the importance of coaching and micro financing and made a plea for

this to be rolled out further.



9

Invitation to Open Space

Posting sessions in the matrix

Open Space – Forward. Together

30 ideas and initiatives to help SMEs grow in Europe and beyond

After lunch the delegates were invited to come forward with whatever questions or ideas they

wanted to explore regarding how to move SMEs and SME policy forward.

The method used was Open Space Technology and the question for the afternoon was:

What can we do together to help SMEs grow in Europe and beyond?

There were thirty open slots for topics, 15 slots in each round, and all slots were filled in no time.

Looking at the topics they could be clustered in 9 major themes:

SME policy framework

Can we have a new SME Action Plan?

Developing a platform/framework to ease access for entrepreneurs to EU m easures.

How to organise meetings between European Commission staff and entrepreneurs?

How to move 'Pros and Freelancers' issues higher up in the European agenda?

SME dimension of the Internal Market

How to get help with legal problems in other member states?

How to raise competitiveness of European SMEs?

Ideal One-Stop information shop: what do we need?

Regional dimension

How to work together in EU regions for better SME support?

How can regional governance best support SMEs?

Coaching SMEs and start-ups.

Entrepreneurship

Refugee entrepreneurship.

Female entrepreneurs – how can we best support them to grow their businesses?

Social entrepreneurship - Legal framework for SMEs for social impact.

How to integrate the EU in the rapidly growing bottom-up national start-up ecosystems?

Culture - Start-up Parliament; Bring politics and start-ups together.



10

Open Space sessions in progress

Results from the sessions were captured on posters

Help SMEs to grow

How can we help SMEs grow by external acquisition?

How to promote SME champions?

Access to finance; Apply for SME Instruments Programme EU-2020.

New methods of business collaboration - a way for growth of SMEs?

How can we GROW and USE entrepreneurial communities?

European Economic Diplomacy.

Skills

How can businesses help schools make learning more relevant to real life?

Skills for SMEs.

How to overcome the skills barriers for SMEs in recruitment and training needs?

Help SMEs in difficulties

How can we help SMEs passing from difficult times – is a business clinic an option?

How to avoid failure and how to provide a second chance?

Innovation and technology

How do we make ordinary SMEs make use of digitisation? Innovative technology; Encourage scalable technology. Request EU proposals for new tech.

development for SME support

Reduce administrative burden

How to minimize unnecessary bureaucracy for SMEs?

After the two rounds of workshops, each project owner gave a short p itch introducing the main

insights from the sessions. All posters were exhibited around the room so that all delegates could

network, talk to the owners of the sessions they missed and interlink knowledge.

The following is a quick overview of the Open Space sessions including the main insights , followed by a documentation of each poster



11

Open Space sessions – Min-map overview

Can we have a new SME Action Plan?

Developing a platform/framework to ease accessfor entrepreneurs to EU measures

How to organise meetings between EuropeanCommission staff and entrepreneurs?

How to move IPros and Freelancers' issueshigher up in the European agenda

SME policy framework

How to get help with legalproblems in other member states?

How to raise competitivenessof European SMEs

Ideal One-Stop informationshop: what do we need?

SME dimension of theInternal Market

How to minimise unnecessarybureaucracy for SMEs

Reduce administrative burden

How can we help SMEs growby external acquisition?


Apply for SME InstrumentsProgramme EU-2020

Access to finance

New methods of business collaboration- a way for growth of SMEs?

How can we GROW and USEentrepreneurial communities?

European Economic Diplomacy

Help SMEs to grow

How can we help SMEspassing from difficult times - isa business clinic an option?

How to avoid failure and howto provide a second chance

Help SMEs in difficulties

How to work together in EU regionsfor better SME support?

How can regional governancebest support SMEs

Coaching SMEs and startups

Regional dimension

How do we make ordinary SMEsmake use of digitisation?

Encourage scalable technology

Request EU proposals fornew tech development forSME support

Innovative technology

Innovation and technology

Refugee entrepreneurship

Female entrepreneurs - howcan we best support them togrow their businesses?

Legal framework for SME forsocial impact

Social entrepreneurship

How to integrate the EU in therapidly growing bottom-upnational startup ecosystems

Bring politics and startups together Culture - Start-up Parliament

Entrepreneurship

How can businesses helpschools make learning morerelevant to real life?

Skills for SMEs

How to overcome the skillsbarriers for SMEs in recruit-ment and training needs

Skills

Europe works forSMEs Open Space

session



12

Open Space sessions – Quick overview

What can we do together to help SMEs grow in Europe and beyond?

Theme: SME policy framework

No. of

session

Title of session Main insight Owner and no. of ”Taps”

4A How to develop a platform or a

framework to ease an access for

entrepreneurs to Europeaninstruments?

Lack of communication

Too many intermediates

Entrepreneurs don’t know how to access

Paul Martin Calvo, Martina

Guerlenda, Ferdinand Bierbrauer

4 taps

10A Independent Professionals – How to

push their needs higher up in the

European agenda?

Ipros and Freelancers in Europe are a growing part of the economy.

Ignoring them is counter productive

Francesca Pesce EFIP-Italy

2 taps

5B Can we have a new SME Action Plan in

light of the most recent economic

developments, such as shared

economy?

SME policy not mentioned in 2016 EC Work Programme

New developments after crisis – new business environment

Focus on traditional SMEs

5BA not yet fully implemented

No piece-meal approach

21 mio. SMEs in Europe

60% of European Labour

58% of GDP

Peter Faross

6 taps

6B How can we encourage meetings

between European Commission

employees and real entrepreneurs?

ERRIN

How to communicate better

EEN to communicate

Michel Duchateau

Twitter: @miduchateau

9 taps



13

Theme: SME dimension of the Internal Market

No of

session

Title of session Main insight Owner and no of ”Taps”

12A The ideal one-stop information shop for

SMEs - what do we need?

Missing: feedback mechanism for companies. - Rules on products

difficult to find. - Difficult to find information (even if existing) – construction in BE e.g. MADB on YE not known, - Look also beyond

the EU. - Issue: investment needed for e-procedures

Language is an issue, machine translation part of the solution?

Offer EN (DE in some regions) - Rules on double taxation are

complex

[email protected]

[email protected] Send us your ideas!

15 taps

14A How to get legal help in other Member

States?

No legal help by EU. - No clear rules and conditions. - No respect of

contracts. - Difficult to start and close a business

Alexander von Campenhausen

6 taps

15B How to raise competitiveness of

European SMEs so that they can face

TTIPs and other FTAs?

High EL. Prices for EU-SMEs

Unfair competition

G. Stoev

22 taps

Theme: Regional dimension

No of

session


7A How can regional governance best

support SMEs?

Core SME needed (growth). – Empowerment – SMEs (one stop

shop). – Cooperation (partnerships between local / regions /

government). - Light touch policy. – Ownership

Regional policy needs to look outwards to gain their good practice

Andrew McCormick Northern Ireland

+ partners

17 taps

8A Coaching of SMEs and start ups Many former “Managers” are “retired” but would love to share

their knowledge. – Coaching

Mentoring. – We you refuse to helpsomeone who asks for help? +Currently active business members

Marcel Lejeune

10 taps

3B How to work together in EU regions for

better SME support?Common interestsGrow business

Competition between different organisations

Scary paperwork for EU projects

Istvan Nemeth

12 taps

mailto:[email protected]








14

Theme: Information and technology

No of

session


1A How do we make more SMEs benefit

from digitisation?

There are critical policy issues to address

Digitalisation is here to stayCostly for many SMEs

Opportunities not yet explored

Infrastructure crucial (broadband)

Gunilla Nordlöf, SME Envoy for

Sweden

23 taps

10B How can online technology be

developed and used to improve start-up

training that ensures more people

survive and thrive in business?

Innovation slow, lack of time, Status Quo, What do we want Peter Harrington

5 taps

Theme: Skills

No of

session


9A How do we overcome the skills barriers

for SMEs in recruitment and training

needs?

Get a well matched mentor. – Discovery of own skills and

complimentary skills. – Face to face mentoring, peer to peer

valuable but limited. – How to create a team

Ian Clifford

10 taps

12B Skills for SMEs – the challenges Changing framework (digitalisation, clients)

Fast track entrepreneurship

Mentorship, consultants

Matthias Tschirf

17 taps

14B How can business/SMEs help schools to

make learning more relevant to real

life?

Needs to start at the earliest stage in schools. – Cross-curricular

implementation. – Needs space within the curriculum. – Teachers

don’t have time/awareness. – Creating a win-win for businessNeed to explore technology and how it can support

Need to build aspiration among young people

About entrepreneurial skills not start up skills

Elin McAllun

14 taps



15

Theme: Entrepreneurship

No of

session


3A Female entrepreneurs - how best to

support them to grow their businesses?

Growth is relative and means different things to different people –

solo entre.; necessity entre. (struggling); ambitions entre.Entrepreneurs learn well from each other ´peer support groups`

Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely experience

Female entrepreneurs often underplay their own potential

Often do not ask for sufficient capital (link confidence, aspiration,

finance structure)

1st

employee is often the hardest

Culture which suggests that running a business that is growing is

harder than one that is not (work/life balance misapprehension)

Paula Fitzsimons - Going for Growth

All who attended contributed to ideas

3 taps

11A How can we improve the economic

integration of refugees through

entrepreneurship?

Opportunity instead of threat. – Branding. - Diversity of refugees. -

Legal aspect. - Information gap. – Gender. - Legal market. - Young

refugees

Particularity: Marginalisation, minorisation, voluntary activities

Adam Kumcu

Growing population of refugees

18 taps

1B How do we involve the EU in the

bottom-up rapidly growing national

start-up ecosystem around Europe and

create more value?

Why are the start-ups not connecting? Kim Balle, Global Start-up Awards

Participants: Cool people

11 taps

2B Changing culture through Parliament

start-up weekends

Bring politics and start-ups together

Direct understanding of what happens in entrepreneurial world

Anders Hoffmann Denmark

9 taps

4B How can we provide a more flexible

legal framework for SMEs that want to

have a social impact?

Non profit company social enterprise

Law not flexible enough

Stefania Druga

6 taps



16

Theme: Helping SMEs to grow

No of

session


5A How to promote SME champions? What is a champion? (competition, innovation, growth)

Need to promote to ensure more visibilityTo attract investors and new markets

Natasca Lai (EASME)

6 taps

13A How can we build communities for

entrepreneurs and use them to create

more and better SMEs?

No silver bullet: many complementary actions needed

Best initiatives come from entrepreneurs themselves

Entrepreneurs need easy, cheap access to “fast” knowledge – help

them get it

Leo Exter

12 taps

13A How can we build communities for

entrepreneurs and use them to create

more and better SMEs?

No silver bullet: many complementary actions needed


Entrepreneurs need easy, cheap access to “fast” knowledge – help

them get it

Leo Exter

12 taps

7B How can we help SMEs grow by external

acquisition?

Find the way to collaborate with the companies. - Finance

Protection of national interest cross border attitude

Too much attention to START-UPS. Need of balance

Inflated valuation from selling side. - Information about business

Cross-border investment

Julia Michaelis

TRANSEO.eu, EU4BT.eu

REEMPRESA.org

13 taps

8B How to shape European Economic

Diplomacy: services for SMEs

internationalisation

Foreign Business need visa process that is easier

IP protection

Avoid rat races among EU Member States

Philippe Adrianssens, Valerio

Mazzone & 10+ Happy participants

17 taps

11B Are new methods of business

collaboration a way of growth for

SMEs?

Digital economy facilitated collaboration. - Collaborative economy

IP-Question – Who owns?. - It is about give and take. - A way of

building partners. - Allow specialisation. - Small=need to cooperate

Open innovation. – It is down up initiative

Jan Svensson, Microfund Vaf, Sweden

7 taps

13B How can we get easy access to money

for SMEs? Formulate recommendationsfor SME Instrument in Horizon 2020

based on SMEs experience

SMEs can apply for SME Instruments Programme EU2020

Phase 1 – Phase 2 (make a step between Phase 1 and 2)Phase 3. – Difficult to find private investors in Europe because of

regulation risks

Mieke and Harald R. Preyer

UK small enterprise investmentscheme

20 taps



17

Theme: Help SMEs in difficulties

No of

session


6A How can we help SMEs to pass through

difficult times (Business Clinic)?

Already exists something similar in Egypt

Can be a joint venture with private sectorPreventing failure

Anton Vella

Business themselvesMalta Employer`s Associations

Business Organisations

9 taps

15A How can we create and early warning

system and boost rebounds in your

countries? How to prevent SMEs from

failing and provide them a second

chance?

Cultural barriers, risk, perception of failure, recruitment of

volunteers, cooperation public/private

Rewarding failure

Power of finance

Failure and Growth for success

Soeren Boutrup – Early warning

Valerie Delande - 60 000 Rebounds

27 people from 20 different

communities

22 taps

Theme: Reduce administrative burden

No of

session


2A How to minimise bureaucracy for SMEs? Only once to fulfil

Why so many infos?Way of collection

Ilze Lore

Vladimir SvobodaAnete Lusara + Lat

Kaypo Sempelsow

Martin VicianOlga Nemethova

Emmet Browne

18 taps

The following is a documentation of each poster



18

Open Space – The harvesting sheets

Session 1A - Theme: Information and technology

Discussion topic:How do we make more SMEs benefit from digitisation?

Main insights:

There are critical policy issues to address

Digitalisation is here to stay

Costly for many SMEs

Opportunities not yet explored

Infrastructure crucial (broadband)

Next steps:

Summarise discussion. Dig deeper into policy issues. Disseminate best practice.

Concrete action:

How to finance digital transformation? Investments.

Transform rules. Raise SME´s awareness of digital opportuni ties and requirements.

Recommendations for policy makers & others:

Make use of European funds. Exp lore voucher schemes already in place. Express recommendations

linked to the single market strategy. Adapt rules and regulations

Idea owner: Gunilla Nordlöf, SME envoy for Sweden

Participants: 23 taps

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8416175/8416175-6073129977988083717






19

Session 2A - Theme “Reduce administrative burden”

Discussion topic:

How to minimise unnecessary bureaucracy for SMEs?

Main insights:Only once to fulfil. Why so many infos? Way of collecting. Some services as “must”.

Next steps:

Assessment of data (necessary/unnecessary)? Put (make) data electronic.

Stop/minimise mandatory bureaucracy

Concrete action:

Right to protect against bureaucracy, duplication. One collection point. One collection date.

Set mandatory only where is needed

Recommendations for policy makers:

Change the laws in favour of SMEs. Analyse competitive systems, - Silicon Valley, - Singapore.

Idea owner(s): Ilze Lore

Vladimir Svoboda, Anete Lusara + Lat, Kaypo Sempelsow, Martin Vician, Olga Nemethova, Emmet

Browne









20

Session 3A - Theme “Entrepreneurship”

Discussion topic: Female entrepreneurs - how best to support them to grow their

businesses?

Main insights:

Growth is relative and means different things to different people – solo entre.; necessity entre.

(struggling); ambitions entre.

Entrepreneurs learn well from each other ´peer support groups`

Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely experience.

Female entrepreneurs often underplay their own potential.

Often do not ask for sufficient capital (link confidence, aspiration, finance structure). - 1st

employee

is often the hardestCulture which suggests that running a business that is growing is harder than one that is not

(work/life balance misapprehension)

Concrete action:

Tap into willingness of entrepreneurs and corporate executives to support women to grow their

business. Role-models not only for inspiring and motivating. Associate women entrepreneurs with

growth, in media, communications policy etc. Ensure support available and appropriate to differenttypes of entrepreneurs, .?, ..? and ambitions – one size does not fit all!

Recommendations for policy makers

Examine supports to encourage taking on … employee (incentives and disincentives). Support

initiatives from private or N/GO sector, which assist women to grow sustainable business. Focus on

quality of entrepreneurs not just business measures(?) (quantity)

Recommendations for others

Tackle unconscious gender bias in banks & other funding / support organisations. - Ensure greater

gender balance in training and educational materials.

Idea owner(s): Paula Fitzsimons - Going for Growth All who attended contributed to ideasParticipants: 3 taps







21

Session 4A - Theme “SME policy framework”

Discussion topic:

How to develop a platform or a framework to ease an access for entrepreneurs to

European instruments (measures)?

Main insights:

Lack of communication.

Too many intermediates.

Entrepreneurs don’t know how to access

Next steps:

To talk to real /small entrepreneurs.

To study efficiency of initiatives.

Concrete action:

Improve EEN communication.We need specialists. Website? One!!


More efforts by EC on coordination of measures and practical assistance.

Idea owner(s): Paul Martin Calvo, Martina Guerlenda, Ferdinand Bierbrauer








22

Session 5A – Theme “Helping SME´s to grow”

Discussion topic:


Main insights:

What is a champion? (competition, innovation, growth)

Need to promote to ensure more visibility

To attract investors and new markets

Next steps:

To ensure to select the best companies from the beginning.

‘Monitor progress of the companies (growth, innovation) and to ensure visibility to them.

To define a good MARKETING PLAN .

To promote success stories.

Concrete action:Facilitate partnership.

Facilitate access to loans. –

Inviting them to important events to present their ideas and their business.

More communication on success stories.(social media, videos) - Certification (label) to increase

visibility and credibility.


Ensure that the best SMEs defined as champions, will get the right support in terms of visibility, in

order to make their success sustainable through easier access to financers, investors and multiple

market opportunities.







23

Session 6A – Theme “Help SMEs in difficulties”

Discussion topic:

How can we help SMEs to pass through difficult times (e.g. Business Clinic)?

Main insights:Already exists something similar in Egypt. Can be a joint venture with private sector

Preventing failure

Next steps:

We have to make a clear distinction between micro entrepreneurs and SMEs. We need to build a

business case

Concrete action:

Policies need to be more SME friendly. – Provide this concept throughout Europe, mandatory.


Need of assessment disclose process amongst SMEs – free of charge. More flexibility in regulations

…(?) eligibility.

Idea owner(s): Anton Vella, Business themselves, Malta Employer`s Associations, Business

Organisations








24

Session 7A – Theme: “Regional dimension”

Discussion topic:

How can regional governance best support SMEs?

Main insights:Core SME needed (growth)

Empowerment – SMEs (one stop shop)

Cooperation (partnerships between local/regions/government)

Light touch policy

Ownership

Regional policy needs to look outwards to gain their good practice

Next steps:

To engage partner administrations to agree to work together to solve SME problem.

Concrete action:

Proposal – seek INTERREG Europe support for a project to test all that public agencies do. Test: does

this enable and support SMEs?


1.sht(?) policy fund(?). Procurement design, SME friendly policy.

Recommendations for others:

Policy makers need to listen to SMEs. Small Business Act (needs to translate at local level)

Idea owner(s):

Andrew McCormick Northern Ireland + partners

Participants: Regional & municipal administrations, SMEs, Chambers. - 17 taps







25

Session 8A – Theme: “Regional dimension”

Discussion topic:

Coaching of SMEs and start ups

Main insights:Many former “Managers” are “retired” but would love to share their knowledge

CoachingMentoring

We you refuse to help someone who asks for help?

+Currently active business members

Next steps:

How to find the “coaches”? – Look locally and expand later in your region. Create a “Business Club”

. Local Richard.

Concrete action:

Recommendations for policy makers:Get free access to official data-bases and support of EU agencies

Idea owner: Marcel Lejeune








26

Session 9A – Theme “Skills”

Discussion topic:

How do we overcome the skills barriers for SMEs in recruitment and training

needs?

Main insights:

Get a well-matched mentorDiscovery of own skills and complimentary skillsFace to face mentoring, peer-to-peer valuable but limitedHow to create a team

Concrete action:

Resource required EYE increased

Idea owner: Ian Clifford








27

Session 10A – Theme: “SME policy framework”

Discussion topic:

Independent Professionals –

How to push their needs higher up in the European agenda?

Main insights:

Independent professionals and Freelancers in Europe are a growing part of the economy. Ignoring

them is counter productive

Next steps:

Invite them and make them feel included. Explicitly.

Concrete action:

Statistics!!! – Research. – Impact assessment. – Definition.


Listen – learn – think different

Idea owner:

Francesca Pesce EFIP-Italy

Participants: 2 taps (2-3)







28

Session 11A – Theme: “Entrepreneurship”

Discussion topic:

How can we improve the economic integration of refugees through

entrepreneurship?

Main insights:

Opportunity instead of threat. - Branding. - Diversity of refugees.

Legal aspect. - Information gap. – Gender. - Legal market. - Young refugees

Particularity: Marginalisation, minorisation, voluntary activities

Next steps:

One shop. - Partnership / Tandems(?).

Reduce regulation in certain sectors.

Provisional status.

Crowd funding ( via social entre..)

To remove the prey economy.

Mentoring/consultancy for women (&) entrepreneurs.Transfer knowledge of development experience, competences (craft)

Concrete action:

Vocational education. Internship (how?) for entrepreneurship. ERASMUS for refugee entrepreneurs.


(Campaign for branding social acceptance). - Reduce regulation (some sectors, licences, ..). -

Developing qualification and business assessment. – Provisional status. – Crowd funding. –

Mentoring programmes. – ERASMUS as an example. – Give refugees a voice.

Idea owners: Adam Kumcu + Growing population of refugees








29

Session 12A – Theme: “SME dimension of the Internal Market”

Discussion topic:

The ideal one-stop information shop for SMEs - what do we need?

Main insights:Missing: feedback mechanism for companies

Rules on products difficult to find

Difficult to find information (even if existing) – construction in BE e.g. MADB on YE not known

Look also beyond the EU

Issue: investment needed for e-procedures

Language is an issue, machine translation part of the solution? Offer EN (DE in some regions)

Rules on double taxation are complex

Next steps:

Extend points of simple contact?

Link to Business Federations.

Develop and cascade guiding system & citizen/business -> sector …( international level) Publish beta-version (can be skeleton, consult on it)Talk to software producers (MS, Apple, Google)

Go into detail

Concrete action:

Meet with entrepreneurs in person.


Reduce multitude of Commission portals (including on EU funding)=> Develop one central business

portal.

Model: French Business portal (APCE.com & PT)

Idea owners: [email protected] & [email protected]

Send us your ideas!















30

Session 13A – Theme: “Helping SMEs to grow”

Discussion topic:

How can we build communities for entrepreneurs and use them to create more

and better SMEs?

Main insights:No silver bullet: many complementary actions needed


Entrepreneurs need easy, cheap access to “fast” knowledge – help them get it

Next steps:

Collect and share good examples of volunteer driven entrepreneurial community activities. Connect

volunteers to each other.

Concrete action:

Ensure budget (€500 - €5000) for supporting entrepreneur driven initiatives, meet-ups, workshops,

etc. Make it SUPER easy to apply for and get funding for volunteers – things like start-up …(?),

topical meet-ups (e.g. growth meeting), etc.

Recommendations for policy makers (& others):

Make it easier for entrepreneurs to build community events, meet, learn, make small budgets easily

available for volunteers.

Idea owner: Leo Exter








31

Session 14A – Theme: SME dimension in the Internal Market”

Discussion topic:

How to get legal help in other Member States?

Main insights:No legal help by EU

No clear rules and conditions

No respect of contracts

Difficult to start and close a business

Concrete action:

Grassroots events

Better info-portals

Cooperation with EEN


EU start-up policy.“Auto-entrepreneur” system in EU (like in France)

Idea owner: Alexander von Campenhausen








32

Session 15A – Theme: Help SMEs in difficulties

Discussion topic:

How can we create and early warning system and boost rebounds in your

countries? How to prevent SMEs from failing and provide them a second chance?

Main insights:

Cultural barriers, risk, perception of failure, recruitment of volunteers, cooperation public/private

Rewarding failure

Power of finance

Failure and Growth for success

Next steps:

Join forces at European level (cooperating, not fighting). Complete our models for success. Package

to replicate (franchise). $ Funding!

Concrete action:

Build pan. European solution built on best practice.Fund a European knowledge centre.

Build a European volunteer core of experts & a conference for the same.

Recommendations for (policy makers) & others:

Build a business case for policy makers (savings, employment, value).

Integrate HEALTH into policy.

Idea owners: Soeren Boutrup – Early warning, Valerie Delande - 60 000 Rebounds

Participants: 27 people from 20 different communities - 22 taps







33

Session 1B – Theme: “Entrepreneurship”

Discussion topic:

How do we involve the EU in the bottom-up rapidly growing national start-up

ecosystem around Europe and create more value?

Main insights:

Why are the start-ups not connecting?

Next steps:

Map who to involve in the conversation

Concrete action:

European Business Angel network

European start-up community network


Say yes when invited.


Go lobby

Idea owner: Kim Balle, Global Start-up Awards.

Participants: Cool people - 11 taps







34

Session 2B – Theme: “Entrepreneurship”

Discussion topic:

Changing culture through Parliament start-up weekends

Main insights:

Bring politics and start-ups together

Direct understanding of what happens in entrepreneurial world

Next steps:

Start-up organisations at national level to start the process

SME envois to link with politics at national level

Start with pilot of 4-5 countries

Concrete action:

Danish team to offer expertise and talk to national start-up organisations

Present initiative to SME Envoy meetingWork with NL Presidency

Raise issue at next events / conferences


A start-up weekend in the European Parliament

Estonia and UK might be interested

Idea owner: Anders Hoffmann Denmark








35

Session 3B – Theme “Regional dimension”

Discussion topic:

How to work together in EU regions for better SME support?

Main insights:

Common interests Grow business

Competition between different organisations

Scary paperwork for EU projects

Next steps:

Listen to NGO´s

Get support on EU application

Cut corruption

SMEs to go international

Concrete action:Better coordination, who does what?

Regional mapping

Have similar events on regional level + to discuss


Getting together

Getting the right player access to EU decision makers

Recommendations for others:

SME week event with several countries

Idea owner: Istvan Nemeth








36

Session 4B – Theme “Entrepreneurship”

Discussion topic:

How can we provide a more flexible legal framework for SMEs that want to have

a social impact?

Main insights:

Non-profit company social enterprise

Law not flexible enough

Next steps:

Remove enterprise tax for social enterprise.

Make a clear distinction between the different legal entities (coop, social business, Ngo etc.)

EU clear definition + guidelines

Concrete action:

Establish an evaluation process to see how the profit is reinvested-> …….?

Recommendations for policy makers

Promotion from EU: Social enterprise is a normal enterprise.

Help gain visibility and respect in business

Idea owner: Stefania Druga








37

Session 5B – Theme: “SME policy framework”

Discussion topic:

Can we have a new SME Action Plan in light of the most recent economic

developments, such as shared economy?

Main insights:

SME policy not mentioned in 2016 EC Work Programme

New developments after crisis – new business environment

Focus on traditional SMEs. - 5BA not yet fully implemented

No piece-meal approach

Next steps:

EC & MS to better cooperate with SME organisations

Better service for SMEs from national SME organisations / capacity building

EEN to better cooperate with SME organisations

Concrete action:

Widespread vocational training.- Inclusive entrepreneurship

Access to finance (crowd funding & no red tape for SME banks)

Better digital package for SMEs. - Cut down red tape

Modernise labour market


Think & act small first.. - Entrepreneurship alliance for new action plan

EC to follow SME envoys´ recommendations - SME entrepreneur Action Day

Friendly and multilingual consultation. - Distribution of best practice

Idea owner(s): Peter Faross + 21 mio. SMEs in Europe, 60% of European Labour, 58% of GDP








38

Session 6B – Theme: “SME policy framework”

Discussion topic:

How can we encourage meetings between European Commission employees and

real entrepreneurs?

Main insights:

ERRIN

How to communicate better

EEN to communicate

Concrete action:

Meet after 5 pm via internet

Make link with:

- Start-up agenda

- & EEN

- & ERRINCom. Via problems instead of offers

Idea owner: Michel Duchateau

Twitter: @miduchateau








39

Session 7B – Theme “Helping SMEs to grow”

Discussion topic:

How can we help SMEs grow by external acquisition?

Main insights:Find the way to collaborate with the companies

Finance. - Protection of national interest cross border attitude

Too much attention to START-UPS. Need of balance

Inflated valuation from selling side. - Information about business

Cross-border investment

Next steps:

State of the art

Develop a concrete methodology

Concrete action:

Add business acquisition in school topics/programRaising awareness amongst entrepreneurs

TRANSECO W. G.

Cross border tool

Experience sharing -> reality


Create financial support to buy outs

Law guarantee loans

Financial support to modernise bought business

Stability of regulatory framework

Incentives for cross border acq.

Idea owners: Julia Michaelis, TRANSEO.eu, EU4BT.eu, REEMPRESA.org








40


Discussion topic:

Concrete action and policy framework

How to shape European Economic Diplomacy: services for SMEs

internationalisation

Main insights:

Foreign Business need visa process that us easier

IP protection

Avoid rat races among EU Member States

Next steps:

Get more info to SMEs or collect it better

Work via EEN and Chambers

Harmonise approaches in EU

Concrete action:M4G with SMEs

Presentations in the EU with experts from 3rd

markets

Use EU delegations more


Commercial Visa for professionals, foreign businesses to come to EU

European export guarantee scheme

Stable business regulatory environment in EU countries

Idea owners: Philippe Adrianssens, Valerio Mazzone & 10+ Happy participants








41

Session 9B (poster is missing)

Discussion topic:

Financing talent: how to engage unemployed young talent to achieve their

dreams?

Idea owners: Albert Colomer and Espinet

Participants: 1 tab


Session 10B – Theme “Innovation and Technology”

Discussion topic: Innovative technology;

How can online technology be developed and used to improve start-up training

that ensures more people survive and thrive in business?

Main insights:

Innovation slow, lack of time, Status Quo, What do we want

Next steps:

Foster new tech ideas, try them and accept failure

Concrete action:

Request EU proposals for new tech. development for start-up and SME support


Encourage scalable technology – the learning will be invaluable

Idea owner: Peter Harrington










42


Discussion topic:

Are new methods of business collaboration a way of growth for SMEs?

Main insights:

Digital economy facilitated collaboration. - Collaborative economyIP-Question – Who owns? - It is about give and take

A way of building partners. - Allow specialisation

Small=need to cooperate

Open innovation. - It is down up initiative

Next steps:

Competitive cluster

Collaboration between clusters

Inclusion of Academy to SME

Best practice

Think strategic in a global way

Concrete action:

Let the market work for itself

Provide evidence of result of collaborationLook at financial side of collaboration


Research in the field

Sharing information

Regulation or not of collaborative economy (also between countries)

Idea owner: Jan Svensson, Microfund Vaf, Sweden



S i 12B Th “Skill ”





43

Session 12B – Theme “Skills”

Discussion topic:

Skills for SMEs – the challenges

Main insights:

Changing framework (digitalisation, clients)

Fast track entrepreneurshipMentorship, consultants

Next steps:

Improving skills: economic, digital and soft skills

Concrete action:

Focus: children (primary school)

IPs the economy

Changing mind-set / risk culture


Qualification has to play on all levels a great role (Commission, national, regional authorities

Idea owner: Matthias Tschirf, SME Envoy for Austria








44

Session 13B – Theme: “Helping SMEs to grow”

Discussion topic:

Access to finance; How can we get easy access to money for SMEs? Formulate

recommendations for SME Instrument in Horizon 2020 based on SMEs experience

Main insights:SMEs can apply for SME Instruments Programme EU2020

Phase 1

Phase 2 (make a step between Phase 1 and 2)

Phase 3

Difficult to find private investors in Europe because of regulation risks

Next steps:

SMEs are the engine of our economy

Concrete action:

Increase the budget for the SME instrument (put your money where your mouth is)

For larger investmentsIncentives for European private investors

Best practices: organise own bank with entrepreneurs crowd-funding etc.

EIB support for SMEs must be implemented on national levels

Matching funding must be encouraged

Regulatory burdens, we need standardisation, cross border harmonisation

Stock exchange market for SMEs


Make it simple

Increase money

Idea owners: Mieke and Harald R. Preyer, UK s mall enterprise investment scheme








45

Session 14B – Theme: “Skills”

Discussion topic:

How can business/SMEs help schools to make learning more relevant to real life?

Main insights:

Needs to start at the earliest stage in schools. - Cross curricular implementation.

Needs space within the curriculum. - Teachers don’t have time/awareness.

Creating a win-win for business. - Need to explore technology and how it can support

Need to build aspiration among young people. - About entrepreneurial skills not start up skills

Next steps:

Need to identify what has worked

Challenge business to get involved

Work with business membership organisations

Explore .. in Nashville / impact of JAYE / education tech as channel

Policy makers / … of Ed(ucation) should be engaged

Concrete action:

How: teacher – pupil – business (triangle)

Making links via local partnerships

EU level support => identify new methodologies

Policy maker support

Raise awareness with teachers at the front line of education


Case studies specifically on how business can engage

EU challenge to business to promote their involvement / time / contribution

Mentors / Role models from business and to business (raising awareness)

Promote real partnership

Idea owner: Elin McAllun








46

Session 15B – Theme: “SME dimension of Internal Market”

Discussion topic:

How to raise competitiveness of European SMEs so that they can face TTIPs and

other FTAs?

Main insights:

High EL. Prices for EU-SMEs

Unfair competition

Next steps:

Innovations

Concrete action:

Improving; Law enforcement & Follow up of supply chains


Energy unionImpose common standards

Idea owner: G. Stoev








47

Closing the afternoon session

The afternoon session was closed with a short one word “check-out” on “What do I take with me

from today?” Words of appreciation, learning, enjoying the energy and talking to each other wereexpressed.

The European Enterprise Promotion Awards

In the evening the European Enterprise Promotion Awards' were shared. The ceremony was the

culmination of the 2015 programme when the winners in each of the six categories and the winner

of the Grand Jury Prize received their trophies.

The following awards were presented:

Category 1 - Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit to “Zomer Ondernemer”

Category 2 - Investing in Entrepreneurial Skills to “Going for Growth” Category 3 - Improving the Business Environment to “Creative Quarter”

Category 4 - Supporting the Internationalisation of Business to “Game Founders”

Category 5 - Supporting the Development of Green Markets & Resource Efficiency to “Green

Business Network”

Category 6 - Responsible & Inclusive Entrepreneurship to “Enterability”

Grand Jury Prize was awarded to “Lisbon Municipal Council”

About the 2016 EEPA winners:



48

About the 2016 EEPA winners:

ZomerOndernemer (Promoting Entrepreneurial Spirit )

Grand Jury Prize Winner

Portugal – Lisbon Micro-Entrepreneurship is a programme working to support responsible and

inclusive entrepreneurship, be it through helping to develop business plans, to advising on how best

to obtain funding.

Responsible organisation: Lisboa Municipal Council

Organisation website: http://www.cm-lisboa.pt/www.cm-lisboa.pt

Promoting Entrepreneurial Spirit

Netherlands – ZomerOndernemer allows young people to start their own companies and experience

entrepreneurship during their summer holidays.

Responsible organisation: The New Entrepreneur Foundation

Organisation website: http://stichtingonehoogeveen.nl/

Investing in Entrepreneurial Skills

Ireland – Going for Growth focuses on encouraging female entrepreneurs to be ambitious and

supports them to achieve their growth aspirations.

Responsible organisation: Fitzsimons Consulting in association with the Gender Equality Division,

Department of Justice and Equality

Organisation website: www.goingforgrowth.com

Improving the Business Environment

United Kingdom – Creative Quarter aims to support creative SMEs to generate prosperity and create jobs by developing a highly -skilled local workforce ready to compete in the knowledge economy and

to transform the area in the city to make it a great business location.

Responsible organisation: Creative Quarter Nottingham Limited

Organisation website: www.creativequater.com

http://www.cm-lisboa.pt/www.cm-lisboa.pt


http://stichtingonehoogeveen.nl/



http://www.goingforgrowth.com/



http://www.creativequater.com/








49

GameFounders (Supporting the Internationalisation of Business)

Enterability (Responsible and Inclusive Entrepreneurship)

Supporting the Internationalisation of Business

Estonia – GameFounders is a global game industry accelerator that aims to support technical teams

in developing a product business model.

Responsible organisation: GameFounders OÜ

Organisation website: www.gamefounders.com

Supporting the Development of Green Markets and Resource Efficiency

Spain – Green Business Network is the first networking platform in Spain to specialise in green

business.

Responsible organisation: Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the

Environment

Organisation website: www.fundación-biodiversidad.es

Responsible and Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Germany – Enterability is a management consultancy for people with disabilities that provides help

before and after starting a business.

Responsible organisation: Social Impact gGmbH

Organisation website: http://www.ifd-enterability.de/

A full description of each initiative and the full list of winners, runners up and special mentions can

be found on the Promoting Enterprise blog: http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/promotingenterprise/

and the EEPA Compendium at: http://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/support/enterprise-promotion-

awards/index_en.htm

Friday 20 November

http://www.gamefounders.com/



http://www.xn--fundacin-biodiversidad-1fc.es/



http://www.ifd-enterability.de/


http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/promotingenterprise/


http://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/support/enterprise-promotion-awards/index_en.htm











50

y

The second day of the conference offered a smorgasbord of possibilities to deep dive into relevant

subjects or to be inspired by innovative entrepreneurs.

There was congruence between the scheduled subjects offered on day 2 and the subjects surfaced

and discussed by participants on day 1.

There were four policy sessions offered :

Skills for SMEs

Making the single Market work

From Refugee to Entrepreneur

Alternative roads to financing for SMEs

There were seven possibilities offered for deep diving into different subjects through the master

classes. The subjects were:

Creativity

SMEs on the Stock-exchange

Circular Economy

Start-up Europe Partnerships

Crowd-funding

Digitising Government

Twitter for Business



51

Ideas from Europe

Last but not least there were 28 short and inspired “Ideas from

Europe” presentations by entrepreneurs with ground breaking Ideas

from all over Europe.

At the end of the day nine finalists of “Ideas from Europe” were

identified. There is also a “wildcard”, everybody can vote for their

own preferred candidate on-line. Lastly there were two special

mentions - a wildcard from the Assembly delegates went to the

Netherlands and the special mention to Michael Hermansson from

Sweden, for ideas that also deserved recognition.

The finalists are:

Nora Khaldi, Nuritas, Ireland

Gerhard Dust, Polycare, Germany Cécile Real, Endodiag, France Lorenzo Pradella, Greenbone, Italy Nathan Farrugia, Empower, Malta Anita Schjøll Brede, Piecing together the puzzle, Norway Stefania Druga, HacKIDemia, Romania Pirkka Palomäki, Enevo, Finland Kenny Ewan, WeFarm UK Jos Joore, Mimetas Netherlands

VOTE for the 11th here on-line!!!

Cl i dd b C t A d l From the Open Space discussions what was noticed is the energy and knowledge in the room to find

http://ideasfromeurope.eu/wildcard-challenge



http://ideasfromeurope.eu/team/ireland-dr-nora-khaldi/


http://ideasfromeurope.eu/team/germany-gerhard-dust/


http://ideasfromeurope.eu/team/france-cecile-real/


http://ideasfromeurope.eu/team/italy-lorenzo-pradella/


http://ideasfromeurope.eu/team/malta-nathan-farrugia/


http://ideasfromeurope.eu/team/norway-anita-schjoll-brede/


http://ideasfromeurope.eu/team/romania-stefania-druga/


http://ideasfromeurope.eu/team/finland-pirkka-palomaki/


http://ideasfromeurope.eu/team/uk-kenny-ewan/


http://ideasfromeurope.eu/team/the-netherlands-jos-joore/



















52

Closing address by Costas Andropoulos

Costas Andropoulos, the Head of Unit for the COSME Programme,

the SME Envoy Network and SME Policy opened by saying that “We

have been together for three days – talking, sharing, listening,

learning. Each of us hopefully has now gained some new insights,

some new contacts, some feeling that we have contributed and been

heard.”

Lessons learned from the Women Entrepreneur Session encompass:

entrepreneurship is a skill that can and should be taught. Resilience

and the willingness to fail is key. Be different.

Key insights from the 'State of the Union for SMEs' – the Annual

Report demonstrate that SMEs are growing, and they have also

started to hire again. To support this further EU countries and the

European Commission together need to keep up their efforts tocreate the best possible environment for SME growth.

From the Open Space discussions what was noticed is the energy and knowledge in the room to find

solutions for SMEs in Europe in a range of areas from supporting young entrepreneurs, early

warning systems for failing SMEs, integrating refugees into our economy, to encouraging women

entrepreneurs to grow their businesses more. Each of the thirty topics suggested had a LinkedIn

group created and everyone was invited to continue the conversations there.

On the second day of the assembly the Master Classes provided expert knowledge and the Policy

sessions dealt with many of the themes that come up in the Open Space discussions: from a deeper

insight into using crowd-funding or twitter for your business, through growing your business across

borders; to "Think small first" needed to close the remaining gaps in the Single Market; and

reviewing the rules for VAT.

Finally the bright young entrepreneurs in the "Ideas from Europe" competition were mentioned, on

how they have identified a need in our society, and gone ahead to create a solution. Ten of the

finalists will be invited directly to TEDx Binnenhof , in the Netherlands, in March 2016

As a conclusion to the 3 days together, before passing the baton to Slovakia, the host of the next

Assembly, Costas expressed that “the discussions we have had and the things we have heard allow

me to say:

Stay in touch join the Online SME Assembly group on LinkedIn

“The future is bright for SMEs.”

Appendix 1. 1. In your view, what are the significant challenges or opportunities

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8416175




http://bit.ly/1kE1pey








53

pp

Documentation of notes from the

conversations following the Stories

Morning Session 19.11.2015

The following is a documentation of the written notes from theconversations following the stories. The written notes havebeen clustered into themes. In some cases some notes areadded of comments given verbally in the plenary.

The five topics for the different conversationswere:

1.

In your view, what are the significant challengesor opportunities that SMEs will face in the

coming years?

2. What can we learn from the stories that can

translate into lessons for other entrepreneurs?

3.

What are some factors that enable long term

success for SMEs

4.

What solutions from the stories we heard and /

or we know of, could be successfully applied in

other contexts5.

What important un-answered questions do we

now have, on how to help SME´s grow.

that SMEs will face in the coming years?

Main themes NB. The list below contains both challenges and opportunities.

Challenges

Risk of failure.

Globalisation. Innovation/new ideas

Statutory impediments

Regulatory burdens.

Digitalisation - sharing economics

Market and client orientations -> single market

Personal objectives, characteristics

Harder for women to be heard. Beautiful woman has to prove herself.

Be different. - Be yourself

Make tough decisions

Dare - leaving the comfort zone Make tough decisions - Henryka from USA to Poland. Be yourself

Finland - young girls coding

Daring to leave it - Betty ... Bro. Being different

Women more emotional

In journalism glamorous woman has to prove herself

Access to finance

Access to finance (mentioned twice)

5% funding to female founders - men twice as likely to be funded (Marianne)

HRH: power of micro finance - show high levels of trust - 99% will deliver (Didrik)

Access to informationIs often poor, especially from the EU, e.g. about access to finance

Need help navigating the regulatory environment

Education

As a way to push the unemployed to start a business



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“ Politicians should run their own business for

at least five years and have a mandate

limited to two years”

s a ay to pus t e u e p oyed to sta t a bus ess

Mentoring - successes / failures

Skills - access to skilled workers

Entrepreneurship is a skill. Teach it!

Inexperience. Lack of entrepreneurial education

Access to entrepreneurial skills

2. What can we learn from the stories that can translate into lessonsfor other entrepreneurs?

Personal characteristics / qualities

Finding the purpose - vision. - Have a drive – passion

Multitasking and aligning work/life balance

Resilience.

Be humble

Courage

Be yourself / authentic

Be yourself. - be authentic Be different ( ideas, products, relationships)

Awards - motivation (jury believes in my idea)

Find what fits - "once you are connected to what you do it works well"

Build competence and skills

Add knowledge - skills, best practice

Get better not just bigger

Learn (continuously)

Non-formal learning and mentoring

Manage people

Have courage to try and fail Make the go - commitment, support

Make mistakes. - Have a go

Have the courage to try, fail, try

Make the first step

Seize opportunities in disruption

Make use of a crisis



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Mind-map re. long term success done buy one of the groups

Grasp opportunities

Find disruption (i.e. Software)

Keep moving, be flexible

Don't rest on your laurels

Diversify your portfolios/ balance your life

Adapt to changes; have a plan but be flexible

Reach out

Take opportunities, get out of the office and connect to people. - Step outside of your office

Partners

3. What are some factors that enable long term success for SMEs?

The mind-map covered most of the factors for long-term success.

Other factors mentioned in plenary were:

Skills and competencies Focus on people, build and maintain competence in the enterprise. Continue education

both inside and outside.

Strengthen skills, education, training programs for running a business

Education in the field of entrepreneurship is important

Focus on quality and evolving the company

Focus on the quality both in the product and in process

Be open for diversification, take in new ideas, make mistakes

Renew your company & plan

Build a support-system /network

Take care of yourself, find a work, family life balance You cannot do it alone, you need a team, network, partnerships etc.

Legislative framework to support

The legislative framework needs to support

Need legislation to support

4. What solutions from the stories we heard and / or we know of,

could be successfully applied in other contexts



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“Entrepreneurship is not a

spectator sport – engage!”

could be successfully applied in other contexts

Creating a conducive business environment

Peer to peer loans

In creating a single market:

o Taxation – social tax for SME´s or start ups should be lower

o Before entering politics, politicians should have and lead their companies for at

least 5 years.

o The mandate of the politicians should be limited to two mandates

Review of award criteria / systems (recognition of different forms of success, not just $)

Information on programs

Study case of the successful women entrepreneurs

Quality over growth

Most striking insight: Betty “The aim is not to grow, but to continue and become better at

what we do”

Being “different”

As an SME, don´t compete with large players on their terms, be different!

Be different

Have a goal and find out what fits

Connecting with others, building partnerships

Partnerships

Team working

Networking with entrepreneurs

Building skills and competence

Education and knowledge are key

Education is important for young entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurial education, secondary and higher level. Mentoring programs

Personal qualities that matter

Be yourself, - be aware of your weaknesses and strengths

Risk readiness. - Grasp opportunities when they appear

5. What important un-answered questions do we now have, on how

to help SME´s grow



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to help SME s grow.

There were two major themes central to the above question:

How can we change the culture to be more supportive of SME´s?

How do we change the culture?

It is all the more difficult since the small and medium enterprises are not at the policy table

Where can we find the inspiration?

How can they become more data driven?

But mostly how do we change the risk perception and how do we fight prejudice?

One way might be through different awareness campaigns.

A different way is to put more emphasis on education: expand the experience and build the

skills .

How else can we support SME´s?

Support can have many different ways and shapes.

Support closely related to the entrepreneurs, inside their companies

There is the need for role model The need for mentors

The need for coaching

Building skills and competence

Having more professionals on the boards of the enterprises

Support can also be as simple as offering better childcare facilities

Support from external stakeholders e.g. policymakers, banks etc.

How could the red tape be simplified?.

Financial support e.g. easier access to financing

Better cash flow

Better incentives for innovation.

Tax exemption or lighter taxation e.g. in the first years, better cash flow and betterincentives for innovation.

SME Assembly 2015 Documentation

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Transcript of SME Assembly 2015 Documentation