1. www.smeactor.eu Universitatea “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad The Study Case of: Arad&Timis (Mariana Nagy & Daniel Manate, UAV Arad 24.10.2008 Bucharest)

2. www.smeactor.eu Universitatea “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad 1.1 Arad & Timis counties Arad is a Western Romanian county in the Banat-Crisana region, with the capital city at Arad. Timis is a Western Romanian county in the Banat-Crisana region, with the capital city at Timisoara. The location of the two counties is favorable, at the intersection of 2 European roads, the European road corridor IV Vienna – Bucharest – Istanbul and the Road Ukraine – Serbia.

3. www.smeactor.eu Universitatea “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad 1.2 Arad & Timis counties

4. www.smeactor.eu Universitatea “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad 2. Which target sector and why Target sector: Early and mid-stage IT SME’s Relevant sector in the economy of the region –A sector in dynamic growth –Drive-up sector for the region Relevant sector for the SMEs networking path –People from IT SMEs companies are used to work in networks and using internet sites –They are related wit IT people in all type of companies –IT companies are connected with all sectors

5. www.smeactor.eu Universitatea “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad 3. Which target groups Target group: higher education, academic, people from IT and consultancy SMEs Appropriate group as a recruitment base for facilitators –Availability (academic & higher education) –Already in connected businesses (consultancy) –Abilities to use INTERNET and for networking Involvement –Through the local universities network –Business environment

6. www.smeactor.eu Universitatea “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad 4.1 Labs for second tier facilitators Lab organization –Profile of participants: 60% academic & higher education / 20% consultancy / 20% IT –No of participants: 18 Main learning aims –To enhance SMEs cooperation in the region –A better involvement of local authorities and universities in developing business environment through a facilitator network

7. www.smeactor.eu Universitatea “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad 4.2 Labs for second tier facilitators Main tools used –Warm up and make people arrive –The five satisfaction (stakeholder analysis) –Customer and supplier needs analysis and planning –To do form –Contract with myself Overall achievements –Enhance the formation of a local facilitators network –Acknowledgement and commitment of participants towards AL methods

8. www.smeactor.eu Universitatea “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad 5.1 Labs for SMEs Lab organization: –Profile of participants: people from local IT SMEs, six participants, 4 SMEs Main learning aims –To enhance SME’s cooperation in the region –A better understanding of the motivation behind the workforce –Better business relations with the customers 1.Workforce analysis in order to better understand the motivation behind the workforce

9. www.smeactor.eu Universitatea “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad 5.2 Labs for SMEs Main tools used –Warm up and make people arrive –Workforce analysis –Customer and supplier needs analysis and planning –To do form Overall achievements –Enhance of the cooperation among some of the sector’s SMEs –Acknowledgement and commitment of participants towards AL methods 1.Workforce analysis in order to better understand the motivation behind the workforce

10. www.smeactor.eu Universitatea “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad 6. Overall evaluation and lesson learnt The target groups of the project had a positive response when confronted with AL. AL tools were considered appropriate not only for solving real problems but also for working together, share problems and issues with others, acknowledge different opinions. Lessons learned: –The need for continuously feedback and involvement of the participants –Stress upon the personal benefits for a person in becoming a facilitator –Time constraints are an important issue

11. www.smeactor.eu Universitatea “Aurel Vlaicu” Arad 7. And after SME ACTor? Developing a cooperation network involving local universities and other local actors UAV and Vladimirescu business incubator logistic support for 2 nd tier facilitators meetings, common learning experiences and attracting new participants Stressing upon utility of a facilitators network in developing a competitive business community through the acknowledgment among local authorities and media Promoting the site in all these situations