Innovative Trainer

The Innovative Trainer Programme (ITP) which has been funded with support from the European Commission will increase the capacity of Business Trainers and Mentors (BTMs) to support SMEs throughout Europe by developing a “Train the Trainer” blended learning training resource on non-technological innovation. By updating their skills, BTMs will be better placed to provide guidance on how to innovate to small businesses, better adapting their services to changing business beneficiary groups & sectors and ultimately improving the innovation performance and growth of the enterprises they serve. The justification for the project is clear: SMEs are crucial to Europe’s future prosperity and are essential in attaining the goal of “a sustainable economy based on knowledge and innovation”. Alongside improving the institutional framework for business, BTMs are Europe’s key players in developing innovation and growth within SMEs, and do so via range of public and private bodies.

The current understanding of innovation is mainly linked to technical product and process innovations. However, many studies show that not only development and absorption of new technologies are important for economic success, but also the implementation of new organisational structures or processes or the development and application of new service concepts. Non – Technological Innovation (or Service Innovation as it is increasing being called) includes organisational and marketing innovations. “Innovation is the implementation of a new or significantly improved product (good or service), or process, a new marketing method, or a new organisational method in business practices, workplace organisation or external relations”. Think of how Ryanair transformed the airline industry…..