A Training and Advisory Centre (TAC) was established within the city authorites' business activity and agriculture depar
CITIES SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESSES
POZNAN
CITY HALL’S TRAINING AND ADVISORY CENTRE FOR ENTREPRENEURS
A one-stop-shop for potential and new entrepreneurs
Around 98 000 enterprises (2012) of various sizes operate in Poznan and some 140 000 students are enrolled in higher education institutions in the city. All of these are supported by a large number of business-related institutions.
These include five chambers of commerce, business incubators and pre-incubators and three technology and industry parks, amongst others. The city hall and the city’s business activity and agriculture department in particular also support people considering starting their own business.
PROBLEM Businesses in Poznan looking for set-up assistance are directed to a different agency according to the type of business they want to set up (sole trader, company) and the business sector. The large number of different support agencies compromises their efficiency. An analysis of entrepreneurs’ requirements in terms of support services, carried out at the city’s request between October 2010 and November 2011, highlighted the need to establish a centre which would act as: an intermediary between entrepreneurs and business support bodies a coordinator of the various local initiatives and business support measures, that could disseminate commercial information and promote the programmes offered by business support centers a service provider to complement other business-related institutions.
SOLUTION A Training and Advisory Centre (TAC) was established within the city authorites’ business activity and agriculture department in early 2012 to improve the efficiency of business support measures in Poznan and its surrounding areas. It is a one-stop-shop providing information and training services for would-be entrepreneurs and established SME owners. TAC coordinates the following training programmes:
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ducation for entrepreneurship: training and workshops for secondary and tertiary students to promote e entrepreneurial and creative attitudes start-up: a specialist training and advisory programme (including specialist consultations) for individuals setting up their own businesses usiness growth: a specialist training and advisory programme (including specialist consultations) for established b entrepreneurs with businesses at different stages of development/growth.
The programmes are implemented by partners from the Employment and Entrepreneurship Support Network. This network is composed of 25 public and private institutions supporting and developing entrepreneurship and employment. It is an initiative of the city of Poznan, which started in 2003.
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CONTACT Karolina Szalewska Project coordinator +48 61 87 84 792
[email protected] www.poznan.pl/firma
SUCCESSES The centre welcomed 5 529 people in 2012 (mainly entrepreneurs). Most of them participated in one of the 62 training sessions, which were run by the centre’s staff and specialists from partner institutions. The staff members also speak at meetings and conferences. TAC also organised a term of entrepreneurship classes at several higher education institutions and secondary schools in Poznan. TAC is the one place where entrepreneurs can find out about all the initiatives to support entrepreneurship available in the city. The centre has improved the efficiency of support measures targeting entrepreneurs.
CHALLENGES
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It was challenging to find partners and specialists to work with, particularly convincing existing business-support institutions to collaborate (instead of competing) for the development of the entrepreneurial sector in the Poznan region. The centre had to work hard to attract clients and get media coverage, by: expanding the training and consulting offers maintaining constant contact with clients by email, through a monthly newsletter and social media, and promotional leaflets and brochures were developed. TAC also hosts Poznan Entrepreneurship Days, an annual event which includes the Economic Forum of Poznan Agglomeration, an entrepreneurship fair and a competition for the title of ‘Poznan leader of Entrepreneurship’. The aim of Poznan Entrepreneurship Days is to create a positive climate for entrepreneurship and develop economic cooperation at local, regional and international levels.
FUTURE TAC is one of the key projects to support and promote entrepreneurs under Poznan’s development strategy for 2030. The team will continue to expand and enhance their range of services to better meet the needs of the regions new and established SMEs. They will work in collaboration with their partners and bring in new ones to maximise their potential. A new media strategy will be put into place during 2013 to develop relationships with the local media and reach out to potential clients.
FUNDING TAC is entirely financed by the city of Poznan. TAC will apply for funds from the National Bank of Poland and the EU to develop new projects.
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