Academy of Entrepreneurship

Organisation Name

Telekomunikacja Polska

Problem

Telekomunikacja Polska (TP) is a telecommunications company which attaches significant value to the quality of communication and partner relationships with business customers. TP realises that its revenues from the business sector are a function of Polish companies' well-being, competitiveness and profitability. Accession to the European Union opened up both new opportunities and threats for Polish companies: new capital resources (structural EU funds) and new markets, but also new competition. TP realised that a significant number of small and medium-sized companies are not prepared to fully benefit from that, because they lack the skills and knowledge needed. The company understood that helping them is in its long-term business interest, because the EU offers funds which may be used directly for purchasing ICT solutions. Furthermore, other solutions for improving competitiveness of TP's business customers may indirectly influence TP's business as well. The question for TP was how to teach SMEs to improve their businesses and benefit from new opportunities. 

Solution

• The Academy of Entrepreneurship aims at educating SME entrepreneurs e.g. on: (i) current business management, taxes, law; (ii) practical information on acquiring EU funds; (iii) up-to-date ICT solutions; (iv) benefits from certification.
• The programme includes the following activities: (i) free educational and advisory programme; (ii) free consulting after the workshop on the Web.
• The Academy takes the shape of workshops during which participants can exchange their opinions and views. Each workshop is run and moderated by an expert on European matters. Experts are chosen and invited to cooperate with the advisory company - Grupa BOSS on all matters concerning European endeavors.
• The Academy also hosts its mentors and during break there is time for individual consultations with a chosen expert. The choice of topics discussed, and companies invited is decided in a process of individual talks by mentor representatives with clients, questionnaires filled in by company representatives at meetings and based on the communication strategy of the mentors.
• The Academy Project was initiated by TP, but TP has invited other companies to get involved. There are several Academy Mentors: TP, HP, Intel, Microsoft, Simens, Bank Milenium, Gazeta Prawna (business newspaper).
• The projects involve employees and managers of the Academy Mentors and also local media and experts - representatives of government and local institutions.
• The Academy of Entrepreneurship also receives patronage from the UNDP Global Compact, as of January 2006.

Constraints

• Attracting companies and sponsors to join the Project (large companies).

Benefits

• Building a market for modern tele-information solutions by improving the businesses of TP's business customers (and potential business customers too) – about 3 thousand SMEs were trained before the end of 2005.
• Building a responsible image among companies in the SME sector.
• Making direct contact and building relationships with companies, attracting potential clients.

Place Of Implementation

Poland

More Information

www.akademia.biz.pl

Themes

Entrepreneurship
Skills and Competence Building

Solution Champion

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