Ten BT Mic customers participated in the new acceleration program for small businesses initiated by BT Mic in Romania, and now they are launching their businesses online. The program is a new stage in the long-term partnership between BT Mic and the European Fund for Southeast Europe Development Facility (EFSE DF).
BT Mic is one of the companies of Banca Transilvania Financial Group, which completes the role of the bank in supporting entrepreneurs. It is addressed to companies with an annual turnover of up to 1 million LEI (approx. 203 226 EUR), working in all industries. The European Fund for Southeast Europe Development Facility (EFSE DF) was created in 2006 to support the objective of the development finance fund. EFSE DF offers personalized technical assistance, training, and support to institutions, organizations, and individuals in the financial sector and the wider ecosystem.
THE START ONLINE PROGRAM
“The Start Online initiative by BT Mic is targeted for small companies that want to develop their business online. Last year we were very close to our customers, and we have realized what were the difficulties related to using online channels in sales. As a result, the online small business acceleration program was born. It is an integrated, complete program, in which we set out to go through with the entrepreneurs all the necessary steps to manage an online business: from the evaluation of the idea to what the daily management of a business with online presence means.” – said Cristina Sindile, General Manager at BT Mic.
The Start Online program started in March 2021 for micro and small enterprises, who wanted to have an online presence. 30 companies were initially selected to participate and benefit from dedicated training sessions and personalized advice on expanding their business online. 10 companies have been promoted to the phase of the building of online stores: Office Vision, ABM Kids, Caramel Gold, Stefara Decor, Sezon Coffee Roasters, Himera Vet, Isabela Teodor, Miclean Zootehnia, Wowzaaa Treats, and Kosmo Line Spa. The selected enterprises have a presence in 7 cities in Romania, and their activity profile is very diverse: cafe, stationery, pastry, pet shop, toys, and children’s clothing, cosmetics, florist, design, and clothing production.
The collaboration between BT Mic and businesses continues for another three months from the launch of the websites, and during that period entrepreneurs will benefit from consulting on online business management. The Start Online Program by BT Mic includes consulting for online business management, the effective launch of the online store, familiarization with sales and marketing strategies, support for launch and post stages -launching stores, as well as monitoring the results and implementing new ideas.
Program partners have provided know-how and services necessary for the transition to online channels, which are the following: MTH Digital – Digital marketing agency (leading partner), GoMag – digital platform provider for online stores, TRUSTED – help entrepreneurs to be aware of current legislation and to apply the best practices of e-commerce, Hosterion – ensures the hosting of websites and online stores, GPeC – the main e-commerce community and the largest organizer of events and e-commerce courses in Romania.
„We are delighted that we are part of this initiative as it addresses an important constraint faced by micro and small enterprises in Romania: lack of know-how and the capacity to digitize and increase the online presence. With the involvement of local financial institutions, such as BT Mic, and the expertise of our partner consultants, we contribute to the digital transformation of the business ecosystem to ensure its resilience, to improve the survival rate of enterprises, and support job creation.”- said Markus Aschendorf, president Facility Development European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE DF), Start Online project sponsor.
Source: Bank’s press release from July 26, 2021
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