What is it?

KM Plus is a pilot project that is part-funded by the EU Leonardo da Vinci programme for vocational training. The project will adapt knowledge management concepts originally designed for larger organisations to the small business situation. It aims to improve the competitiveness of European small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by using the informal knowledge and skills within the small firm as the starting point to developing the capability of the organisation to learn.

Who does it involve?

It is delivered by a network of 13 university and private sector partners in 12 countries:

• IAGO European Consultants Ltd, UK
• HIRON Management Consultants, Bulgaria
• Ledi Oy, Finland
• CEEFIA, France
• ITB, University of Bremen, Germany
• ZAP, Germany
• EXA Team, Italy
• Talentis, the Netherlands
• Global Change, Portugal
• University of Maribor, Slovenia
• CRIA S.L. Promocions, Spain
• Halmstad University College, Sweden
• University of Fribourg, Switzerland

What is it doing?

The project is producing a set of tools to enhance knowledge development and learning in small firms. These will take full account of the prevalence of non-formal and informal learning in small firms, and the need to demonstrate short-term business benefits. The SME Knowledge Management System toolkit will comprise:

• SME Knowledge Assessment Toolkit
• Individual Knowledge Profile
• SME Knowledge Exploitation Development Toolkit
• Module and Guide for Trainers / Consultants

This set of tools will include innovative diagnostic and development tools to enable small firms to improve business-focused knowledge and skills. The project also recognises the need for promoting learner-centred approaches and does so at the level of the individual learner and the SME by diagnosing the existing knowledge and skills and the gaps in knowledge and skills of staff throughout the small firm and developing human resource capacity. Of particular importance in this project are communication skills and the development of further flexibility, which enables the small firm to increase its competitiveness and also improves the transferable skills of the SME staff.