1) The EVITA project aims to promote e-business adoption among SMEs in Europe based on best practices. 2) The project analyzed IT training strategies for SMEs in 10 countries and identified 14 best practices from 7 countries. 3) The project developed an e-learning platform and training materials on e-business for SMEs available in multiple languages.

1. The EVITA International Cooperation Program on e -Business Promotion for SMEs Hatzakis Ilias Project Manager, GRNET Diana Krievina, Project Manager, LTC EVITA , Baltic Dynamics 16/09/2010

2. EVITA – INTERREG IVC E xchange, V alorisation and Transfer of regional best practice policy measures for SME support on IT and e-business A doption Riga, Baltic Dynamics, September 16 th , 2010

3. Why EVITA?

4. EVITA main rationale LISBON STRATEGY/ Europe 2020-digital agenda: stimulation of SMEs for IT and e-business Necessity of exchange between countries/ stakeholders Necessity for the right learning tools for SMEs Riga, September 16 th , 2010

5. a world in transmission: The financial crisis/ especially affects new EU members Revolutionary technology trends both in infrastructure and services terms (cloud computing, grid technology, terra bps networks) Opening of PSI and the e-participation Web 2.0/ user generated content/ Social media revolution New business models/ globalization Media convergence Complex digital landscpape … But then also … … we already live IN the cloud… (a social cloud) Riga, 16 September 2010

6. building social media campaigns for companies

7. measures and ranks your social influence online Riga, 16 September 2010

8. Growing accessibility Riga, 16 September 2010

9. Athens, 8 December 2008

10. C1 C2 6 Study visits C3 5 Policy Maker Workshops C4 1 e -tutor seminar 5 SME seminars 10 Dissemination events 6 Consortium meetings Mar 09 Apr 10 Dec 10 Dec 10 Oct 09 May 11 Mar 10 Oct 09 Jan 10 Nov 10 Jul 11 6 Project Reports & Payment Claims

11. Major tangible outcomes: For Policy Makers : Study Visits Corpus report on IT SME training Regional IT strategies for SME IT training Policy Maker Workshops For SMEs : Multilingual training content on e-business e -learning platform (moodle)/ multimedia/ online courses SME seminars Riga, September 16 th , 2010

12. Analysis of “IT training strategies” in 10 selected countries Identification of 10 countries where the penetration rate of ICT in SMEs is the most important We have crossed four international indicators : Global Information Technology Report (2008-2009) Key indicator1 : “the use of Internet in the commercial relations” i2010 classification of the European Union Key indicator2 : “Integration of the ICT in business relation of SMEs with suppliers and/or customers” OECD ICT database and Eurostat, Community Survey on ICT use in enterprises (May 2009) Key indicator3 : “Internet penetration by size class” Key indicator4 : “Internet selling and purchasing by industry” Riga, September 16 th , 2010

13. Identification, census and analysid of “IT training strategies” used in selected countries These strategies have as objective to develop the use of ICT by SMEs on the given territory. These strategies Are specific “SME IT training” in order to help SMEs on IT Focus on the use of e-learning by regions or governments Can be: instruments / tools / techniques / methodologies Have been evaluated as “best applied” Fits to the profile to our beneficiary regions Riga, September 16 th , 2010

14. 14 initiatives selected in 7 countries United States - Switzerland - Denmark Netherlands - Canada - Australia -Ireland Riga, September 16 th , 2010

15. Riga, September 16 th , 2010 Countries INITIATIVES Strategies USA SBTN Small Business Training Network Self-Training Resources, Internet-based training site USA SCORE In-depth workshops and seminars, Self-Training Resources Switzerland i-CH Cooperative venture ICT skills&Tools Switzerland eXperience, case studies on e-commerce Self-Training Resources Denmark Innotour Collaborative learning Netherlands Digital initiative IT Awareness campaign, In-depth workshops and seminars, Self-Training Resources Canada e-business Tutorial Self-Training Resources Canada Guidelines and roadmaps Self-Training Resources Australia SBO Small Business Online In-depth workshops and seminars Australia Skills for Growth In-depth workshops and seminars Australia TAFE VirtualCampus ICT skills&Tools Ireland eBMI The eBusiness Management Initiative In-depth workshops and seminars Ireland SCMI Supply chain management initiative In-depth workshops and seminars Ireland eBSAT eBusiness Self Assessment Tool Interactive assessment tools

16. 2 main axes to analyse 6 main IT Training Strategies 1- The IT relevance for the user (SME) 2- The public support Riga, September 16 th , 2010

17. To combine 6 kind of actions : - to accompany SMEs at the different level of IT-maturity From awareness to optimization of the IT implementation - to obtain a synergy of training resources and competencies to spread and amortize investments on long period to fit market needs with more flexible training plans Recommendations for an e-Learning region strategy Riga, September 16 th , 2010

18. Component 4: Tools and implementation Riga, September 16 th 2010 5 SME seminars Oct 09 Nov 10 Oct 09

19. The e-learning platform A multilingual, interactive and user-friendly e-learning platform enriched with the training content. It is a strategic choice to focus on technology enhanced professional learning, having in mind that in the very close future, the technological possibilities, especially mobile and broadband solutions, will change today's learning scenarios and that the provision of e-learning services will grow substantially, to satisfy the growing demand of professionals in SMEs. Riga, September 16 th , 2010

20. Athens, 8 December 2008

21. SME pilot seminars At least 30 SMEs Duration: case by case/ at least 10h SME selection procedure Implementation of an e -learning deployment scenario Local language Multimedia classes/ personal computers

22. The training package for SMEs A training content on e-business and the benefits to SME competitiveness. This content aims at improving managerial understanding and skills in e-business by entrepreneurs, based on best practices, local e-government services and is written in easy “business” language. Basic IT knowledge for SMEs, Introduction to e-business models and practices The digital marketing plan Techniques for attracting visitors to a website Techniques that convert visits into business contacts Techniques that convert business contacts into customers Techniques that create loyalty and develop customers Riga, September 16 th , 2010

25. Benchmarking Graph

26. VISITORS LEADS CLIENTS LOYAL CUST. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Search Engine Marketing (SEM) Ad Campaigns Marketplaces & Directories Email Marketing Public Relations Social Media (SMM) Blogs Forums Call-to-Action Affiliate Programs Usability Persuation Offline control Web Analytics Newsletter Selling Persuation Client Orientation Web Analytics Cross selling Newsletter Community Creation Lock In’s

28. SEM Local SEO

29. Heat map showing the sight of studied subjects

30. Dissemination event “E-commerce – policy and development trends in Latvia” – April 29, 2010 Target audience: micro, small and medium companies, individual entrepreneur s /merchants, state institutions responsible for e-commerce policy - 65 participants Speakers: experts in e-commerce (LTC/EEN, Ministries and State institutions responsible e-commerce: EM, RAPLM, SME – expert in web marketing, the Latvian ICT Association, Mortgage Bank, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia) Topics: E-commerce State Policy and development; E-State potentialities for entrepreneurs; E-signature development and application; Opportunities and obstacles for e-commerce development from the point of entrepreneurs; Successful web marketing development in SME (SEO, SEM, Affiliate etc.); Open EU Structural Fund programms for entrepreneurs; The Mortgage Bank offers for new entrepreneurs. Riga, September 16 th , 2010

31. Practical training seminar for SMEs “Web marketing” – May 27 and 2 8, 2010 Target audience: micro, small and medium companies, individual entrepreneurs/merchants from different industries, who doesn’t have expertise & experience in web marketing (15 participants each day, laptop and internet access) no consultants, no representatives from Ministries and State organization, no experienced companies in web marketing; Speakers: e-tutors from LTC + 2 external experts in Web marketing Topics: Practical use of the EVITA platform - training material “E-commerce strategy in SMEs” (11 Moduls in Latvian) SEO – web page optimization; Google AdWords campaign and account creation; Online social marketing strategy; E-mail marketing Riga, September 16 th , 2010

32. E-learning platform - http://www.evita-interreg4c.eu – training material “E-commerce strategy in SMEs” 11 Modules translated and localized into Latvian: Introduction to e-business models and practises; The digital marketing plan; Techniques how to attract visitors to a website; Techniques how to convert visitors to business contacts; Techniques how to convert business contacts into loyal customers; Online social media inclusion into company’s digital marketing plan; SEO strategies using Web 2.00; Online company’s reputation management plan. Riga, September 16 th , 2010

33. Riga, September 16 th , 2010 http://www.evita-interreg4c.eu

34. Riga, September 16 th , 2010 Self user’s registration: username and password

35. Riga, September 16 th , 2010

36. Next steps: Dissemination event in Liepaja – November, 2010 IT training strategy reports for SMEs (Latvia) – December, 2010 The workshop for Policy Makers – spring, 2011 Riga, September 16 th , 2010

37. Lead Partner: Hatzakis Ilias , Project Manager , GRNET Contacts: + 30 210 7474268, e-mail: hatzakis@grnet.lv Partner in Latvia: Diana Krievina, Project Manager, LTC Contacts: + 371 67558754, e:mail: dianak@edi.lv EVITA , Baltic Dynamics, Riga 16/09/2010 Thank you  http://www.evita-interreg4c.eu