PLATO SERBIA Jun 01-07, 2009

The Plato Concept

Plato history 1990 Plato starts at Voka East Flanders’ Chamber of Commerce Since 1990: 1700 SME’s have joined the Plato Project in the Province of East Flanders. ( 7500 in Flanders ) 300 managers of 70 multinational companies participated Since 2000: Plato International Plato networks in Ireland, Denmark, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, Serbia and South Africa

Why do companies participate in learning networks? SME owners are responsible for EVERYTHING in their company: Finances management, HR, purchasing,, marketing, … But the entrepreneur has a LACK OF TIME AND MEANS For expensive and time-consuming trainings The project deals with BOTTLENECKS and practical questions The entrepreneur has a NEED for information and contact with colleagues PLATO

What is Plato? Goal: professionalization of SME owners Goal: establishment of networks of SME owners Groups of Entrepreneurs meet monthly Under the guidance of mentors/godfathers

Plato is a learning network Learning networks = networks of entrepreneurs that meet regularly Plato members decide themselves the topics they discuss during the meetings : a topic/problem mapping occurs during the SME TB Plato members can't be competitors – discussions remain confidential

Mentorship project 20 SME group 20 SME group 20 SME group MC

Plato starts from the practice Plato entrepreneurs discuss their everyday problems: Belgium: Accountancy, Sales, HRM, Subsidies, Taxes, Communication In order to increase their profit, turnover and growth rate Other countries: SME owners have other priorities & problems: customized program adapted to local SME needs Entrepreneurs gain new knowledge from their colleagues, from their mentors and from outside experts

Plato groups are guided by mentors and managed by support organisations Mentors = managers from large companies Develop skills in managing a Plato group Learn about SME practices Steer the group meetings Networking with other mentors and mentor companies Individual assistance to the participating SME Support organisations assist and complement the Plato project. They are brought together in a steering committee/ board.

Why does a SME owner participate?  Develop a good business plan for his/her company  Gain knowledge & confidence about all business aspects  Learn techniques and methods to optimise company practices  Participate in networking (advice, transfer of know-how, contacts, …)  Broaden their business horizon  The will to bring their company to a higher level  Create a local, regional, national and International network Improve the company results!

Key players Mentorshipproject Mentors Mentorcompa nies entrepreneurs S(M)MEs Chamber of Commerce Other socio-economic partners

PLATO Srbija

overview Vision Terminology Timing and Milestones Stakeholders and synergies Roles and responsibilities Values

Plato International vision To create an international network of SMEs and mentorcompanies In which the PLATO Srbija national network performs as an active player

THE PLATO ELEMENTS AND TERMONOLOGY Co-ordinators Mentors Participants Experts Task team Steering committee Monthly meeting

PLATO TERMINOLOGY Co-ordinators and the task team Mentors = managers from large companies Develop skills in managing a Plato group Learn about SME practices Steer the group meetings Networking with other mentors and mentor companies

PLATO TERMINOLOGY Participants SME owners or first level employees Experts Subject matter experts that are invited by the group to facilitate a session on a specific topic

PLATO TERMINOLOGY Task team Steering committee/ board Support organisations assist and complement the Plato project. Through sharing information, Plato brings added value to the support organisations.

PLATO TERMINOLOGY Monthly meeting Monthly get together or meeting where the participants and the mentors meet to discuss specific topics of interest

THE PLATO CONNECTIONS… Co-operation with… Chambers of commerce, Governmental organisations, NGO’s, Universities, Development organisations, Training centres, … both nationally and internationally!

PLATO SUCCESSES Concept sustainability - Plato is been funded by the Flemish Government for 20 years and is still a very successful formula. Plato Hungary got the State price of best entrepreneurial supporting project.

fact finding training coordinators recruitment managers training managers managers appointed to group recruitment SMEs individual interviews with SME owners creation homogeneous groups teambuilding SME-owners and mentors monthly sessions conclusion TIMING monthly sessions

Proposed project timing Factfinding mission: February 2009 Coordinator visit: 24-27/03/2009 Mentor recruitment: March-June 2009 Mentor & Coordinator teambuilding: 2-5/6/2009 SME recruitment: April- September 2009 SME teambuilding: October 2009 Start of the project: November 2009

Beyond Plato Economic missions to Serbia & Flanders Economic seminars on trade partner countries Links with education centers Plato as a tool to stimulate SME development in other regions in Serbia Links with Serbian & Belgian government.

HOW IT WORKS – ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES To be defined by the Task Team

SOME PLATO VALUES

Thank you for your attention Contact Wim KeygnaertStefan Derluyn Aleksandar Nikolić