1. PLATO SERBIA
March 23-26, 2009

2. Programme Training coordinators
Tuesday 24/03:
9h00: welcome and introduction training
12h30: lunch at Monasterium
13h30: training (pt2)
17h00: transfer to Ibis Cathedral
18h30: dinner at Handelsbeurs
20h00: participation in Voka-Chamber of Commerce eventSince 1990:
Wednesday 25/03:
9h00: training (pt3)
13h30: training (pt 4)
17h00: conclusion
18h30: dinner at Coeur d’Artichaut

3. Programme Training coordinators
Thursday 26/03:
9h00: Transfer to Dendermonde Office
10h00: Meeting with Flemish Plato coordinators
12h00: Lunch with Managing Director training (pt2)
14h30: Plato Mentor Company: testimony from Mr. Gilbert Grymonprez
17h00: Free.
Friday 27/03:
9h00: Check-out Ibis Cathedral
9h30: Transfer to Ghent Office
10h00: conclusions
12h30: Lunch at Hopduvel
14h00: Transfer to Plato SME: Chocolatier Dooms
15h00: transfer to airport

4. The Plato Concept

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Mentorship project MC MC MC MC MC MC 20 SME group 20 SME group 20 SME

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Improve the company results!
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!

13. Key players Mentorshipproject
entrepreneurs
Chamber of Commerce
Other socio-economic partners
Mentorcompanies
S(M)MEs

14. PLATO Srbija

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

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

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

19. PLATO TERMINOLOGY Develop skills in managing a Plato group
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

20. 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

21. 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.

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

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

24. 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.

25. 2009
2010
fact finding
training coordinators
recruitment managers
recruitment SMEs
training managers
individual interviews with SME owners
Timing
managers appointed to group
creation homogeneous groups
teambuilding SME-owners and mentors
monthly sessions
conclusion

26. 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

27. 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.

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

29. SOME PLATO VALUES

30. SOME PLATO VALUES

31. SOME PLATO VALUES

32. SOME PLATO VALUES

33. SOME PLATO VALUES

34. Thank you for your attention
Contact
Wim Keygnaert Stefan Derluyn