Tools

What is it?

Why did we build it?
Trainers, counsellors and SME managers

Structure:
The software guides the user through the following steps:

• Define and review business

• Select among four generic marketing objectives

• Manipulate dimensions of the offer (quality, quantity, time, cost)

• Formulate strategy statement from above

• Confirm strategy by evaluating against objectives

• Select, plan and schedule critical activities

• Allocate resources

SNAPSHOT:

What is it?
A browser-based software tool for auditing management, export and e-competence of an enterprise.
Designed to provide a quick overall assessment and benchmarking. It can also be used to set the stage for a more detailed evaluation of management, export and e by using NeedSME, ExportSME and eSME.

Why did we build it?
To help trainers, counsellors and SME managers with auditing an enterprise when:

• There is no time and/or resources to evaluate enterprise in depth

• Benchmarking of enterprises is needed

Structure:
The software covers seven areas related to management, export and e-competence. It allows the user to assess the ability of the enterprise to:

• Design strategies

• Manage effectively and efficiently

• Maintain an adequate level of working capital

• Build marketing capabilities

• Build production capabilities

• Get orders

• Fulfill orders

ExportSME:

What is it?
A browser-based software tool for determining the export competence of an enterprise. An enterprise’s motivation to export and its overall commitment to position itself to meet the demands of the export marketplace are assessed.

Why did we build it?
To help trainers and counsellors perform a detailed evaluation of the export competence of an enterprise. The tool is used when:

• There are the resources and the time for an in-depth analysis of export competence

• There is a need to identify specific weaknesses in export competence in order to design training and counselling assistance.

Structure:
The software covers five parts related to the export management competence of an enterprise:

• Motivation for exporting

• Designing export strategy

• Planning, acquiring and allocating, and controlling the resources of an enterprise that are needed for exporting

• Developing production and marketing capabilities for export markets

• Managing export transactions in order to get export orders, fulfill them and make collections

Output:
The software tool prints a detailed and comprehensive assessment report that covers the export competence of an enterprise in terms of:

• Commitment of the enterprise to exporting

• Ability of the enterprise to be successful in export markets.

eSME:

What is it?
A browser-based software tool for determining:

• The potential of ICT applications in an enterprise to improve its effectiveness and efficiency

• The areas of the enterprise where the potential is highest

• The e-readiness of the enterprise to take advantage of the potential

Why did we build it?
To help trainers and counsellors perform a detailed evaluation of the e-readiness of an enterprise when:

• There are the resources and the time for an in-depth analysis of ICT potential and utilization

• There is a need to identify specific areas of the enterprise that could benefit from ICT applications in order to design training and counselling assistance

Structure:
The software is composed of two questionnaires:

• An e-opportunity questionnaire. This evaluates the potential of the enterprise to take advantage of ICT opportunities as well as current ICT utilization

• A gap-analysis questionnaire. This examines in detail the areas that can be improved with the use of ICT

Output:
Each questionnaire results in a comprehensive report that examines ICT potential and utilization, while identifying opportunities and waste in an enterprise.