Numerical results obtained from both European Committee reports and national reports show the importance of SMEs for the economy of the country. Giving coaching trainings to these establishments which are so important for national development is vital in order to make them to contribute more to the country economy. After the financial crisis in Europe and carrying out examinations on SMEs, it is accurate to say that the primary problems for SMEs are equity capital shortage and financial problems emerging from obstacles at credit obtaining. Problems such as structural problems, administrative problems, compliance with new technologies and production problems, working on low capacity level problems, supply and storage problems, lack of information support and technical assistance, marketing and competing problems, not being able to make new investment, insufficiency in legal regulations and bureaucratic obstacles comprise other problems SMEs are subjected or may be subjected in the future. Most important priority areas regarding the project are contributing to decrease the number of low skilled adults (making adults to gain new skills and improving their existing skills) and increasing the collaboration between training and employment. Basics of both priorities can be described as generating employment and as a natural result economic development. Because increasing the knowledge of SMEs in the subjects of information and solution in particular has a direct effect on efficiency, national revenue and development. European Committee’s report in the year of 2012 regarding SMEs can be hold up as an example regarding this. Especially in a management process based on both internal and external house risks, establishments to develop solutions against problems they encounter is extremely important with regards to sustainability of SMEs and their compliance with European Union standards and regulations. Within the scope of this basic necessity, managers and employees in the establishments to have training based on lifelong learning and continuing training context will be provided in this project. In this direction awareness of both establishment managers and employees on SMEs coaching will be provided and they will be supplied web based training materials which they can get more easily.
According to the report European Commission published for SMEs on 2012, SMEs played a key role in the shaping of European economy with a share of % 98. SMEs in Europe provide 2/3 of employment; and constitute significant areas of priority in terms of the development of European economy. In the same report, European Commission is committed to support their development, notably through the "Small Business Act" with its "Think Small First" principle and by facilitating, amongst other things, access to EU funding . Within this scope, it is one of the issues of priority to enable SMEs, which have a significant place in European Economy, to adopt to changing needs of business networks. When the situation of SMEs in Turkey is considered, according to the data by Ministry of Industry from the year 2013, Turkey’s SMEs constitute %78, %55, and % 65,5, %50, % 60,1, % 24 respectively of overall sales, overall investments, overall export, overall credits. These figures expose the significant role of SMEs in Turkey’s economy. With reference to statistical data belonging to SMEs in Europe, it could be argued that with a set of positive qualities they have such as ability to quickly adopt to changing market conditions, flexible manufacturing structures, balanced growth between the regions, reducing of unemployment rates and starting new areas of employment, SMEs form the building blocks in economic and social development of countries. Along with above listed significant qualities, SMEs also have some problems waiting to be solved. One of the leading issues frequently underscored in the report published by European Commission is that SMEs have too many financial problems because they are the institutions most influenced by financial developments. Therefore, regarding SMEs , which are appearently significant in terms of economy, both the goverment and the academics should deal with the issues such as solution of financial problems, marketing, R &D, management of financial tools, and the building mechanisms to raise their capacity of problem solving. Reports form the basis for determining the rationale of this project. Coaching SMEs to enable them to bring solutions to their own problems and to appopriate innovative SMEs understanding within their organization also justify project’s basic goals. Accordingly, main objectives of forming SME Coaching 5Nokta Trainings are as follow: • The development of the skills and competencias necesary to integrate and apply Coaching techniques in organitazions • Bringing innovative SME understanding and help them to produce solutions for their own problems. • Helping SMEs to get trained for commercializing and transforming innovation and creativeness into economic value; so that they can advise business world about SME solutions compliant with EU standards. • Having turned SME coaching into a business management tool, taking the lead in terms of desicion making, risk management, financial reporting corresponding to reality and developing efficient control mechanisms. • Helping SMEs to form collaboration networks enabling the growth of unique design and innovation activities so that SMEs rank higher in global value chain with their high value added products and services; production of knowledge and innovation as well as creativeness; and developing entrepreneurship. The participants of the project are Ondokuz Mayis University (Turkey – The coordinator of 5Points), Gazi University (Turkey), Mugla Sitki Kocman University (Turkey), Selcuk University (Turkey), FUNDACION FUNDECYT - PARQUE CIENTIFICO Y TECNOLOGICO DE EXTREMADURA-FUNDECYT PCTEX (Spain), Trusted Business Partners Kft (Hungary), RIGAS TEHNISKA UNIVERSITATE (Latvia), Pirkanmaan ammattikorkeakoulu Ltd. (Finland) and Samsun Genc Isadamlari Dernegi (Turkey). In 5Points, there are 4 main activities. These activites are more important to reach the project’s objectives. Description of undertaken main activities: A1 - PLANNING, MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING OF THE PROJECT: This is one of the basic activities which have been carried out from the beginning of the project to its completion. The planning, management and supervisions activities have been fulfilled by the university and other partners in order ensure that the project reaches the basic objectives as set out. A2 - FULFILLMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE WORKS OF THE PROJECT: The administrative tasks have been completed in order to contribute in the successful completion of the first activity and after task distribution to the partners, the project was checked periodically until the project completion date. A3 - PROVIDING THE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH PARTNERS AND SUBCONTRACTORS: An effective communication system has been established between partners and subcontractors in order to effectively fulfill project activities. Supervision is provided at certain periods in each stage of the project. A4 - TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT