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Restructuring Motor – Digital competence enhancement
Published on 15 May 2020
Norway
Trøndelag
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
(A National program executed regionally). As SMEs often do not have the necessary resources to identify and execute necessary change in response to opportunities and threats posed by the digitization of society, the programme aims to increase growth and competitive power in SMEs through digitalization.The programme offers a two-day training/workshop for SMEs tailored to the specific needs of each participant. Participants must apply and document their drive and ambition to change and develop.Through four modules the programme focuses on 1) increase the general knowledge of what it takes to succeed through digitization; 2) increase the contextual understanding of how digitization affects the company’s business model; 3) increase the SMEs ability to utilise innovative methods for product and service design/development; 4) implement changes in the business. Main beneficiaries are SMEs in Norway. Other stakeholders are Innovation Norge, DigitalNorway and other innovation companies such as Proneo AS.The programme requires participants to work on their real-life business challenge before (preparation activity), during and after the workshop sessions.
Expert opinion
The practice provides an interesting approach to foster the digital transformation of small businesses thanks to a very compact package of consultancy and training offers in the framework of a 2-days workshop.
The offer is tailored to the needs of the participants and they work on their real business case, which enables potentially a fast return on their investment.
It is also key to highlight that the offer does not focus on specific digital technologies, but on making the SMEs able to initiate change processes to become more innovative. Digital technologies provide thereby opportunities but going digital is not the objective. SMEs are encouraged to seize those opportunities in order to change their approach to developing innovative products and services.
The offer is tailored to the needs of the participants and they work on their real business case, which enables potentially a fast return on their investment.
It is also key to highlight that the offer does not focus on specific digital technologies, but on making the SMEs able to initiate change processes to become more innovative. Digital technologies provide thereby opportunities but going digital is not the objective. SMEs are encouraged to seize those opportunities in order to change their approach to developing innovative products and services.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
To run a two-day training/workshop programme (in local/region) requires the participation of 2-3 facilitators and has a cost of approx. 25000 – 30 000 EUR supporting 10-12 businesses. Participants pay a fee and get refunds up to 50% from Innovation Norway.
Evidence of success
The programme focuses on business opportunities, ability to change and on implementation of real change (concrete solutions). All this based on the opportunities which are provided by digitization. However, the technology is a means to an end. The SMEs’ ability to carry out innovation and change/develop their digital approach is the key content.
Based on the feedbacks from a recent workshop, it scored 4.4 out of 5.
In 2018-2019, 36 businesses participated in the program in Trøndelag County
Based on the feedbacks from a recent workshop, it scored 4.4 out of 5.
In 2018-2019, 36 businesses participated in the program in Trøndelag County
Potential for learning or transfer
The programme is developed by DigitalNorway (national) with the support of Omstillingsmotor from Innovation Norway (national). The programme has been distributed to regions in Norway. Regional partners (like Proneo) together with experts from Digital Norway, plan and execute in the region These workshops bring many companies together, which benefits cooperation and learning. As a step 2, the SME’s also have the opportunity to attend specialized sessions with leading companies in their fields. The model is transferable.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Proneo A/S
Norway
Trøndelag
Contact
Senior adviser Digital transformation