BACKGROUND In comparison with big firms, small businesses confront several problems in the business economy. Many of them face barriers in entering trade markets, while others can confront difficulties in several sectors, such as transactions, data storage, cash flow, and security but also for efficiently protecting IP. When it comes to security issues and in particular, data storage, many companies use the Internet of Things (IoT) for this scope, as big number of devices connected to the internet give the opportunity to control data. Nevertheless, managing all of these IoT devices and the data included in them, becomes often a challenge for enterprises. In addition to this, other security issues may include other fields such as digital transactions, digital identity, communication with others, etc. The other problems that mentioned above, namely transactions and cash flow are problems that many SMEs face in the field of finances, in conjunction with other issues, such as payments, investments, etc. OBJECTIVES -Assist SMEs improve their place in business economy -Promote the use of new technologies in SMEs -Empower managers/owners of SMEs with the essential skills and knowledge regarding blockchain technology in order to help them run and manage their businesses successfully -Develop strategies and actions that present an innovative approach on blockchain technology education PARTICIPANTS The consortium comprises by a software development company researching in personalized learning environments, a vocational training company with expertise in the development of e-learning and customised ICT solutions, two companies with a profound experience in ICT-enabled E&T tools, an education and training company,and one ICT department of University. ACTIVITIES - Identify the most important problems that small businesses face, and document winning practices. - Validate needs of owners/managers of SMEs from partner countries in relation to knowledge and skills for implementing the winning practices regarding blockchain technology. - Elaborate a training methodology and a set of blockchain technology strategies for owners/managers of SMEs with focus on finances and security. - Devise the list of actions to be implemented by the trainees for materialising each strategy. - Design and develop the Blockchain Technology Course (BCT Course) to support action implementation by the trainees so that they can materialise the strategy which is more appropriate to their situation. -Design a learning achievement and recognition framework. -Design and develop the Blockchain Implementation Assistant to facilitate the personalisation of the digital strategies and deliver to each trainee the actions for materialising each own strategy. -Organize pilots for validation of BCT Course and “BIA”. -Set up the BCT4SMEs Academy virtual space to support the growth of the BCT4SMEs network of adopters and practitioners - Promote the Academy and the projects outcomes through dedicated multiplier events. METHODOLOGY The methodology of achieving the projects objectives is divided into 4 stages: -Research and conceptualisation: The project starts with a feasibility study for the identification of businesses most important problems in terms of finances and security.This study will lead to the conceptualisation of the main structure of the courses as well as the most critical issues that the "BIA" comes to address. -Definition and Planning: This second phase is where the partners define the training material to be created in order to provide useful and practical information and guidance to owners/managers of SMEs. This material will be the foundation for the development of the "BIA". -Development and execution: This is the core stage of the project with all the partners being actively involved towards to final product development, while stakeholders will be also engaged providing valuable feedback. -Testing and implementation: The project results will be tested in order to validate the quality provided in terms of properly achieving the project objectives. After having made the final corrections, the final release will be publicly available. RESULTS -Blockchain training course -Blockchain Implementation Assistant -BCT4SMEs Academy IMPACT -Managers/owners of SMEs address the main problems that businesses confront in terms of finances, security -SMEs using blockchain technology become more competitive in trade market -Managers/ Entrepreneurs use innovative strategies in order to improve businesses’ performance -SMEs improve their financial position due to the reduction of costs that blockchain technology offers -Provide VET trainers with new training curriculum regarding blockchain technology LONG TERM BENEFITS Through the adoption of blockchain technology its expected the the businesses will overcome their problems and become active in more fields, which can help them escape national boundaries and reach more markets.
As mentioned in the previous question, the main aim of the project, at the highest level, was to help SMEs reach a better position in the global market. Since SMEs face more difficulties than big firms to implement new technologies or simply adapt to changes occurring in the constantly changing market, BCT4SMEs wanted to provide them with a new tool, which would allow them to learn about Blockchain technology, and adopt its benefits for their company purposes. The BCT4SMEs’ consortium, over the 2-year project life, has indeed created a personalised digital tool, called Blockchain Implementation Assistant, widely accessible online, which is able, based on a user’s response to a series of questions, to identify potential actions that this user could take based on the needs and capacities that can be inferred from their responses. In this way, and through an additional system of achievement and recognition, the project hopes to help SMEs empower themselves and reach greater growth and success. Having successfully delivered the project’s immediate objectives of delivering the aforementioned tool, the long-term aim is to strengthen SMEs’ position in the market, tearing down current barriers and allowing them to reach more markets.
BCT4SMEs was created with the main idea of helping Small and Medium Enterprises to deal with the challenges they face every day in a world dominated by big firms, that can easily adapt to a fast-paced environment and implement new technologies, fundamental for their success, being able to afford big costs and big changes. Some of the challenges SMEs face include barriers in entering trade markets, issues with transactions, data storage, cash flow, and security. In this context, BCT4SMEs wanted to assist SMEs in improving their place in the business economy, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, which has definitely affected some firms’ positions in the global market; promote the use of new technologies in SMEs and empower managers/owners of SMEs with the essential skills and knowledge regarding blockchain technology in order to help them run and manage their businesses successfully. Through the adoption of blockchain technology, using a personalised digital tool, specifically created by the BCT4SMEs’ consortium, it’s expected that the SMEs businesses will overcome their problems and become active in more fields, escaping national boundaries and reaching more markets.