How can small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) use digital technologies to stay competitive and overcome adversity? The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Ukraine Consortium is committed to help businesses become smarter and more resilient through digitalisation.
A digitally-driven world
New digital technologies are changing business as we know it. Digitalisation can help SMEs reduce costs, access resources, innovate, and enter the global market. Digital leaders are also best equipped to overcome disruption and take advantage of new business opportunities, as shown by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, despite these benefits, many SMEs currently lag behind in the race towards digitalisation.
The Network Consortium in Ukraine is on a mission to break down barriers to digital transformation by developing innovative digital services for SMEs, from informative e-digests and exciting virtual events to inspiring social media campaigns. That’s how they were able to foster SMEs cooperation, attract new clients, and help the Network expand its outreach.
These initiatives enabled the Consortium to win the Network's Special Recognition Award, which honors partners whose work had a strong impact on the Network and its clients between 2015 and 2021. The award was announced at the 2021 Network Annual Conference in Stuttgart, Germany.
Reimagining communication in a digital era
EEN Ukraine began its digital transformation by publishing weekly and monthly e-digests aimed at encouraging SMEs to explore Network services. These share updates on upcoming events, business opportunities, and inspiring success stories.
The Consortium also uses social media channels to boost its digital outreach. The team identifies promising Network clients and creates 3D digital profiles highlighting their products, services, and cooperation interests. These ‘SMEs snapshots’ are then shared on platforms like Facebook, Telegram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. The result? Greater visibility for the Network and better business matchmaking by connecting SMEs with the right opportunities.
Business matchmaking goes digital
As trade fairs and conferences got canceled in the face of the pandemic, business events pivoted to digital platforms and explored new ways to engage with their audiences. EEN Ukraine was quick to adapt.
The Consortium shifted all in-person events to virtual formats and saw new opportunities in the change. To support this transition, they also produced over 25 short videos to promote their own events and broader Network activities. These videos answered key questions like “What’s happening at the event?”, “Who’s speaking?”, and “How do I register?” This idea helped attract more clients and stakeholders while facilitating the participants’ interaction via virtual platforms such as B2Match.
A digital future for SME training opportunities
The pandemic sped up the global shift to digital learning. With a growing demand for online training, organisations had to take a quantum digital leap. So, the EEN Ukraine Consortium developed a series of online training programmes, covering key topics like finding international business partners and investors, promoting products globally, and preparing international projects. The Consortium also launched an online EEN School for SMEs, an online initiative where 30 selected businesses joined expert-led sessions over two months. During the course, participants set up their EEN profiles and received tailored guidance to help them access services and enter international markets.
SMEs need new digital tools and strategies to stay flexible and competitive, whether it’s to reinvent their products and services, improve customer experience, or become ultrafast innovators. The pandemic has further pushed organisations to move faster towards digitalisation. From remote teamwork and virtual events to e-commerce, change is here to stay.
That’s why EEN Ukraine continues to focus on creating user-friendly digital services. Through regular e-digests and an active social media presence, the Consortium keeps SMEs informed and engaged. In fact, Facebook followers have nearly doubled in the past two years, and its new LinkedIn page has already attracted over 500 subscribers. The community’s positive feedback and the Enterprise Europe Network award show the Network’s commitment to help SMEs use the potential of digital technologies. Now is the right time for SMEs to turn digital and thrive.
Dr. Olena Fesenko has been the coordinator of the EEN Ukraine Consortium for the past 4 years. She is also the Head of the International Innovation Cooperation, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Protection Department of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. While being one of the youngest consortia of the Network, EEN Ukraine has rapidly grown and expanded its services over the past years.
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