The GENIE project meets HR managers and consultants
The GENIE project - funded as part of the Erasmus+ initiative and running since the beginning of 2022 - has developed, tested and finalized a variety of training materials on intrapreneurship over the past 23 months. A board game was also designed to bring this idea to companies in a playful way. As part of the face-to-face event on December 1, 2023 in Stuttgart, the project manager of d-ialogo (the owner Hans-Jürgen Dorr) had the opportunity not only to present the experiences and findings as well as all materials in detail to the participants, but also to try them out and discuss them. The stakeholders from companies and the consulting scene were enthusiastic about the content and methodology of transferring this topic to employees.
GENIE project is on target
The 4th and final project meeting of the GENIE partner organizations aims to review the quality of all products developed and in particular to address issues of sustainability and the integration of the results into the future work of all partners. Based on the very successful validation process, which involved more stakeholders than planned and at the same time with excellent feedback from those involved in the process, the products (training units and the GENIE game) were finalized. The work done so far to disseminate the results has exceeded all previous expectations. More than 400,000 interested parties and organizations have already been reached online; more than 110,000 have been informed about GENIE through analogue media. 3,000 people have already used the GENIE material and the game has already been downloaded almost 300 times onto their own computers. Finally, the homepage has been visited more than 80,000 times. The consortium is optimistic for further and intensive use by interested stakeholders throughout Europe. The 4th meeting took place from November 23-24, 2023 at d-ialogo in Wuppertal.
GiB/GENIE networking evening
On 23 November 2023, we held our 3rd network meeting for our project „Gründen in Brandenburg” (engl.: Starting a business in Brandenburg). All participants had the opportunity to talk about current developments and exchange ideas. In addition to the start-up activities in our region, the "GENIE" project was also presented. CIT GmbH was involved in this ERASMUS+ project together with six other European partners. Together, the partnership developed a model for implementing intrapreneurship (i.e. entrepreneurial thinking) in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). As a result, CIT GmbH presented training modules that convey the contents of the topic. Furthermore, a game was developed that allows participants to test and deepen what they have learnt about intrapreneurship. The game was also tested during the networking evening. To summarise, the participants left our networking evening with many impressions, new knowledge and successfully established contacts.
The GENIE project promotes entrepreneurial thinking and action among employees
The GENIE project, funded by the European Erasmus+ initiative, aims to contribute to the competitiveness of small and micro enterprises by developing practice-oriented tools such as training materials or a game. The aim is to promote entrepreneurial thinking and action among employees in the sense of intrapreneurship as well as to raise awareness of this important topic among students, training providers, newcomers and interested parties. As part of the event supported and organized by d-ialogo and the Institute of Ergonomics at RWTH Aachen University (IAW), Hans-Jürgen Dorr, head of the GENIE project, had the opportunity to present and play all the tools and the GENIE game. The target group of scientific employees was very open to the intrapreneurship approach and sees this - also for their own future activities in other organizations - as a good opportunity to use the innovative ability and commitment of employees and thus ensure competitiveness. The project will be completed at the end of 2023 - the outstanding response in the public media and the usability of all materials in the coming years guarantee further dissemination of the materials.
An Erasmus+ initiative project promotes entrepreneurial action within companies
The GENIE project, funded by the European Erasmus+ initiative, aims to contribute to the competitiveness of small and micro enterprises by developing practice-oriented tools such as training materials or a game. The aim is to promote entrepreneurial thinking and action among employees in the sense of intrapreneurship as well as to raise awareness of this important topic among students, training providers, newcomers and interested parties. As part of the online event on 2 November 2023 - organized by the consulting firm d-ialogo (project coordinator) and the Gesellschaft für innovative Beschäftigungsförderung in Bottrop - the project with the qualification modules and the board game (as an online version) was presented to participants from associations, business development agencies and the consulting sector. All stakeholders involved were very positive about the chosen approach of bringing intrapreneurship into companies and getting employees excited about it. The project will be completed at the end of 2023 - the outstanding response in the public media and the usability of all materials in the coming years guarantee further dissemination of the materials.
GENIE Multiplier Event in Brussels with an International Cohort of Participants
IHF asbl proudly hosted a GENIE project’s multiplier event, a dynamic and collaborative gathering that unfolded on October 12, 2023, in Brussels, Belgium. This networking event, designed to foster meaningful discussions and collaboration about intrapreneurship and innovative business, attracted 15 international participants, creating a diverse and engaged cohort. The event kicked off at 14:00 with a warm welcome and an efficient registration process, setting a positive tone for what proved to be an insightful day. The agenda unfolded seamlessly, guiding participants through the landscape of the GENIE project. Beginning with a deep dive into the project’s background, partnership composition, and objectives, the event provided a comprehensive overview of the expected impact and long-term vision. The structured agenda then transitioned into a detailed exploration of the work plan, including the work breakdown structure, project milestones, and anticipated results. The focused sessions on Project Results 1 and 2 (PR1 and PR2) showcased the tangible outcomes of the GENIE project. Participants gained insights into the GENIE OER Platform and the GENIE Innovative Model, paving the way for informed discussions on the project’s innovative contributions. A well-deserved coffee break provided a networking opportunity, allowing participants to refresh and engage informally. The event resumed with a focus on Project Result 3 (PR3), specifically highlighting the GENIE Innovative Training and Gamification components. This segment offered a detailed exploration of how these elements contribute to the project’s overarching goals. The final structured segment, a dynamic Q&A Tour de Table, encouraged active engagement between participants and the IHF team. This interactive session allowed for clarifications, insights, and collaborative exchanges of ideas, adding a participatory dimension to the event. The event, targeted at organizations working for business and innovation, as well as representatives of education and research, successfully attracted participants from various European countries. Participants expressed their satisfaction with the innovative content, tools, and resources presented during the event. All attendees showed commitment to disseminating the GENIE project results within their networks and organisations. In summary, the GENIE networking event in Brussels, meticulously orchestrated by IHF asbl, served as a fruitful platform for collaboration, dissemination of project information, and the exchange of valuable insights. The commitment demonstrated by participants bodes well for the project's future success and impact within the European context. For media inquiries and more information on GENIE project, please visit the project website: https://genieproject.eu/index.php
Network evening GiB/GENIE
On 31 August 2023, we held our 2nd network meeting for our project „Gründen in Brandenburg” (engl.: Starting a business in Brandenburg). All participants had the opportunity to talk about current developments and exchange ideas. In addition to the start-up activities in our region, the "GENIE" project was also presented. CIT GmbH was involved in this ERASMUS+ project together with six other European partners. Together, the partnership developed a model for implementing intrapreneurship (i.e. entrepreneurial thinking) in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). As a result, CIT GmbH presented training modules that convey the contents of the topic. Furthermore, a game was developed that allows participants to test and deepen what they have learnt about intrapreneurship. The game was also tested during the networking evening. To summarise, the participants left our networking evening with many impressions, new knowledge and successfully established contacts.
GENIE Project Reached its Target Groups at the Multiplier Event held by IDP
IDP European Consultants hosted a successful networking event and workshop with a diverse group of 20 participants, primarily representing local MSMEs, educational and vocational training organisations, and business support services sectors. The event commenced with a warm reception, facilitating a smooth registration process and setting the stage for collaborative discussions. Following this, an insightful overview of the workplan and project background unfolded, delving into crucial aspects such as the composition of the partnership, objectives and goals, expected impact, long-term vision, work breakdown structure, current state of play, and next steps. A highlight of the event was a dynamic presentation utilising the GENIE OER Platform, offering a comprehensive analysis of project results, including the GENIE Innovative Model, Training, and Boardgame. Participants gained valuable insights into the innovative field of intrapreneurship, enhancing their understanding of the tangible outcomes of the GENIE project. The event concluded with an engaging and informal Q&A session, providing participants with the opportunity to actively interact among others and with the IDP European Consultants team. This session encouraged the exchange of clarifications and valuable insights, fostering a collaborative and participatory atmosphere. Representatives and staff from MSMEs, VET organizations, and support services actively participated, highlighting the event's inclusivity and relevance to the core targets of the GENIE project. The commitment demonstrated by participants underscores the potential impact of the project in fostering intrapreneurship in MSMEs. Positive feedback from participants indicated a high level of satisfaction with the practical and valuable content, emphasizing the innovation and user-friendly nature of the platform. The GENIE multiplier event in Italy, organized by IDP European Consultants, served as a valuable platform for disseminating project information, fostering collaboration, engagement, and knowledge sharing among participants. The event successfully advanced the objectives of the GENIE project and promises a lasting impact on the field of intrapreneurship. For media inquiries and more information on GENIE project, please contact: operations@idpeuropa.com and visit: https://genieproject.eu/index.php About IDP European Consultants: IDP European Consultants is a dynamic consultancy organisation committed to driving innovation, collaboration, and knowledge sharing across various projects. Learn more at https://idpeuropa.com/
GENIE Multiplier Event presented in Málaga: A workshop on useful resources for enhancing intrapreneurship
Within the framework of the GENIE project (Gamification & Education to Nurture Intrapreneurship at Enterprise), co-funded by the Erasmus+ Commission, Internet Web Solutions, together with its associated partner Arrabal-Aid, hosted the Workshop on useful resources for enhancing intrapreneurship on May 3, 2023. This session served to explore how to promote intrapreneurship in European companies through training modules, case studies, and digital tools. The associated partner Arrabal is highly regarded in Málaga for its training and employability policies, to the extent that many of its locations are provided by the Málaga City Council. The project, along with its objectives, implementation methodology, and the collaborative partnership involved, was thoroughly presented. Specifically, the four Intellectual Outputs (IO) and the resources already available on the multilingual OER platform at https://genieproject.eu/ were presented: IO1: OER platform for intrapreneurs and SMEs, serving as a repository for all project outcomes. IO2: Final report of the innovative GENIE model for intrapreneurship in micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs) titled "Intrapreneurship in Microenterprise: The GENIE Model & Innovative Pedagogies." IO3: GENIE Innovative Training and Gamification: GENIE Training program to foster intrapreneurship in companies, comprising 11 training courses and 11 case studies in 6 languages (English, Croatian, Spanish, Italian, German and Swedish). GENIE Game, which is a game designed for employees and managers of SMEs to showcase the value of entrepreneurship in an enjoyable manner, enhancing innovation and competitiveness for both companies and their employees. IO4: GENIE Adoption Suite (currently under development), which will provide guidelines for users in micro-enterprises and the VET system for adopting, adapting, and implementing GENIE training and the board game. The Multiplier event brought together 20 participants representing the target groups, who were impressed by the practical and innovative content of the project. Arrabal technicians, who work in local business and training ecosystems, were also present. The functionality of the platform was presented through practical demonstrations, as well as the training available, providing users with a comprehensive knowledge of the content and tools developed for the GENIE project. Digital materials and the online board game were showcased, and feedback and impressions were collected during a final brainstorming session.
Test & Validation in the making
After finishing the development of the training and the GENIE board and online game all project partners are now starting to deliver the training and game in the validation activities to involve at least 150 beneficiaries until October 2023. The target group of the test & validation are microentrepreneurs, leaders of micro and small enterprises as well as their employees. The aim of the test & validation phase within the GENIE project is to ensure the quality, reliability, and correctness of the training and the game. It is a crucial step in the development lifecycle that involves verifying that the product meets the specified requirements and performs as expected. The primary goals of the testing and validation include: Detecting defects as it helps Ensuring functionality Verifying reliability Enhancing quality Validating user expectations Compliance and standards Risk mitigation Ultimately, the aim of testing and validation is to deliver a reliable, high-quality product or system that meets the needs and expectations of its users while minimizing risks and ensuring compliance with relevant standards. This is the real-operational environment testing of the results aimed at collecting feedback from users on content, delivery means, depth and relevance of the modules, user friendliness of the boardgame, functionalities of the OER Platform, etc. Users who are interested in the training and the online game can access the platform without login requirements: https://genieproject.eu/training.php?lang=EN. At completion of the course, they can use a feedback form to provide information on the user friendliness of the training course. Upon completing the training course and the quiz at the end they can also prompt the OER Platform to develop an attendance certificate.
GENIE Project Empower Intrapreneurship with the Innovative Training Toolbox and Successful 3rd TPM in Brussels
On January 23rd, 2023, IHF asbl hosted the 3rd Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) of the GENIE project in Brussels (Belgium). GENIE, short for Gamification & Education to Nurture Intrapreneurship at Enterprise, is an EU co-funded Erasmus+ that brings together seven organisations from six countries (Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden). This project is driven by the integration of gamification and intrapreneurship to develop advanced VET solutions supporting the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Its primary objective is to contribute to the growth, innovation, and competitiveness of these enterprises through the creation of innovative training tools, solutions, and content. The 3rd TPM provided an invaluable opportunity to review the project’s progress, particularly the development of training modules and the boardgame, and to outline the upcoming steps for the project’s final implementation phase. An important milestone achieved by the consortium is the introduction of an innovative training toolbox, which includes comprehensive training modules and a captivating boardgame designed to empower intrapreneurship within enterprises, with a particular focus on MSMEs. Available in six languages (DE, EN, ES, HR, IT, SE), the toolbox can be accessed through the following links: • Training: www.genieproject.eu/training • Game: www.genieproject.eu/game The training modules consist of courses and related case studies, addressing various aspects, including: • Digital intrapreneurship: prospects and challenges • ICT tools for intrapreneurship • Personal development and intrapreneurship: growing self-awareness and mindfulness • Intra-organisational communication and team management • Intrapreneurship hope, hype and reality: Discovering intrapreneurs within organisation • Striking the balance: Resource and time management within intrapreneurial MSMEs • Pitching to your boss: Idea presentation and support gathering • Innovation management in intrapreneurial organisations • Making things happen 1: A user guide list of triggers to nurture, evaluate and reward entrepreneurial attitudes and sense of initiative • Making things happen 2: Intrapreneurial attitude, conflict and change management within MSMEs • A user guide introduction to the AARRR! Funnel Inspired by gamification principles, the GENIE partnership has developed an engaging game as a complementary component to the training modules, providing an interactive tool to test and reinforce acquired knowledge. The GENIE game, showed below, aims to showcase the value of intrapreneurship in an entertaining manner, highlighting how it enhances innovation and competitiveness within companies and among their employees. Through active and responsible participation, employees can improve processes and collectively achieve defined goals. To explore the GENIE project's training modules, case studies, and experience the elements of the GENIE game, along with its rules, please visit the official project website: www.genieproject.eu
Projekt GENIE osnažuje intrapoduzetništvo inovativnom obukom i uspješnim trećim transnacionalnim projektnim sastankom u Briselu
Dana 23. siječnja 2023., IHF asbl bio je domaćin 3. transnacionalnog projektnog sastanka (TPM) projekta GENIE u Briselu (Belgija). GENIE, akronim za Gamification & Education to Nurture Intrapreneurship at Enterprise, je Erasmus+ projekt koji sufinancira EU i okuplja sedam organizacija iz šest zemalja (Belgija, Hrvatska, Njemačka, Italija, Španjolska, Švedska). Ovaj projekt potaknut je integracijom gamifikacije i intrapoduzetništva za razvoj naprednih rješenja strukovnog obrazovanja koja podržavaju konkurentnost mikro, malih i srednjih poduzeća (MMSP). Njegov je primarni cilj pridonijeti rastu, inovativnosti i konkurentnosti tih poduzeća kroz stvaranje inovativnih alata za obuku, rješenja i sadržaja. Treći TPM pružio je neprocjenjivu priliku za sagledavanje napretka projekta, posebno razvoja modula obuke i društvene igre te za nadolazeće korake za završnu fazu provedbe projekta. Važna ključna točka koju je postigao konzorcij je uvođenje inovativnog alata za obuku, koji uključuje sveobuhvatne edukativne module i društvenu igru dizajniranu za osnaživanje intrapoduzetništva, s posebnim fokusom na MMSP. Dostupni na šest jezika (njemački, španjolski, engleski, hrvatski, talijanski, švedski), alatima se može pristupiti putem sljedećih poveznica: • Obuka: www.genieproject.eu/training • Igra: www.genieproject.eu/game Moduli obuke sastoje se od edukativnih materijala i povezanih studija slučaja, koji se bave različitim aspektima, uključujući: • Digitalno intrapoduzetništvo: izgledi i izazovi • ICT alati za intrapoduzetništvo • Osobni razvoj i intrapoduzetništvo: rastuća samosvijest i svjesnost • Unutarorganizacijska komunikacija i upravljanje timom • Intrapoduzetnička nada, očekivanje i stvarnost: Otkrivanje intrapoduzetništva unutar organizacije • Uspostavljanje ravnoteže: Upravljanje resursima i vremenom unutar intrapoduzetničkih MMSP • Predstavljanje ideje šefu: prezentacija ideje i prikupljanje podrške • Upravljanje inovacijama u intrapoduzetničkim organizacijama • Od ideje do realizacije 1: Upute za korisnike – popis pokretača za njegovanje, ocjenjivanje i nagrađivanje poduzetničkih stavova i osjećaja za inicijativu • Od ideje do realizacije 2: Intrapoduzetnički stav, sukobi i upravljanje promjenama unutar MMSP • Uvod u korisnički priručnik za AARRR! Lijevak Nadahnuto načelima gamifikacije, GENIE projektni partneri razvili su zanimljivu igru kao komplementarnu komponentu modulima obuke, pružajući interaktivni alat za testiranje i jačanje stečenog znanja. Igra GENIE, prikazana u nastavku, ima za cilj pokazati vrijednost intrapoduzetništva na zabavan način, ističući kako ono poboljšava inovativnost i konkurentnost unutar tvrtki i među njihovim zaposlenicima. Aktivnim i odgovornim sudjelovanjem zaposlenici mogu unaprijediti procese i zajednički ostvariti definirane ciljeve. Kako biste istražili module obuke projekta GENIE, studije slučaja i iskusili elemente igre GENIE, zajedno s njezinim pravilima, posjetite službenu mrežnu stranicu projekta: www.genieproject.eu
Research and Analytical Activities Completed
The result of the research and analytical activities of the partners of the GENIE project is the innovative GENIE model of intrapreneurship, which is now available on the GENIE platform (https://genieproject.eu/assessment.php). GENIE platform also offers information on project aims, activities and results. The innovative GENIE Model of Intrapreneurship in micro/small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) summarises mechanisms for MSMEs to implement intrapreneurship involving and engaging staff and management to develop new ideas, business and management processes, products and services. The aim of the model is to identify different concepts of intrapreneurship and to answer how an intrapreneurship culture can be established in companies. The model is prepared by project team (seven partners from six countries: Germany, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Croatia and Spain) and outlines mechanisms for MSMEs to implement intrapreneurship by engaging staff and management to develop new ideas, business and management processes, products and services - all to sustain MSMEs’ innovation, competitiveness and growth. The model is based on the following elements: Concepts of Intrapreneurship European context Intrapreneurship in academic literature Intrapreneurship drivers and inhibitors Management models of intrapreneurship Intrapreneurship policy framework Intrapreneurship best practices/lessons learned/case studies from large corporations The digital dimension of intrapreneurship According to this model, intrapreneurship is argued as an emerging phenomenon fitting the new paradigm and value shift that many companies have started developing since the beginning the last decade. An intrapreneurship is nurtured by following environmental and cultural triggers: Encourage proactive thinking, sense of initiative and co-participation to decision making Support employees’ development of trans-functional skills which are instrumental in strengthening their new status – and related attitudes Contribute to the emergence of a business environment that gives the chance to create productive and effective business relationships Allow dissenting opinions to be expressed and disclosed – upon critical, rational and motivated assumptions Establish cross-functional and cross-hierarchal feedback systems for mutual commitment and value proposition
Gamification and Education to Nurture Intrapreneurship at Enterprise: GENIE platform launched
The GENIE platform, which offers information on project aims, activities and results, is now online (https://genieproject.eu/). The platform will contain all the project’s information, deliverables and outputs. GENIE seeks to offer significative solutions for the implementation of intrapreneurship at enterprise by using gamification and education, which have the clear objective of contributing to the competitiveness, growth and innovation of MSMEs. This will in turn crystallise into the development of an innovative set of training tools, such as the delivery of the GENIE boardgame. This user-friendly Platform has been developed by the Spanish partner of the consortium, IWS (Internet Web Solutions), and will be constantly updated by the partnership as a whole during the project implementation. The platform is available in six languages (English, Spanish, Swedish, German, Croatian and Italian) and consists of the following parts, optimised for different devices and browsers: HOME: the section introduces users to the GENIE platform by highlighting: • The GENIE Model • Training • Suite & Decalogue PROJECT: serves as a project manifesto, including information on background, mission statement and how GENIE pursues bringing together international actors related to the VET sphere in order to materialise a product that incorporate multifaceted solutions. PARTNERS: describes the Partners involved in the project. MODEL: this section will display the GENIE model, which builds on concepts of intrapreneurship, best practices/case studies, comparison between MSMEs and large corporations and benchmarking with diverse EU Frameworks. TRAINING: includes training in the form of mini-courses and operational tools in a free, multilingual modality. SUITE & DECALOGUE: completes the picture for the GENIE project, including guidelines and operational documents for the development of intrapreneurship for EU microenterprises. COMMUNITY: to involve as many Associated Partners as possible and spread the word about GENIE to users, targets, general public and ultimate beneficiaries. NEWS: to be up to date with GENIE latest developments. IWS will be the technological partner, in charge of the creation of the platform, its maintenance, adaptation and functioning, and will also contribute to the implementation of all project steps and phases. GENIE is managed by seven partners from six countries, i.e., Germany, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Croatia and Spain, and is co-financed by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.
Innovative project to make the topic of intrapreneurship applicable to small and micro-enterprises- the GENIE project has been approved.
In November 2021, the Nationale Agentur Bildung für Europa beim Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (Erasmus+ National Agency in Germany) communicated the approval of the proposal GENIE – Gamification & Education to Nurture Intrapreneurship at Enterprise within the framework of the KA2 Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Best Practices – Strategic Partnerships for Adult Education. The European Commission clearly calls for companies to become more innovative and dynamic. Often there are the employees in the companies who have few opportunities to commit themselves with entrepreneurial thinking to the company. Especially in the small and micro-companies, there is a lack of instruments and concepts to involve employees more in the business process. Intrapreneurship – the entrepreneurial behavior of employees in the company - strengthens the flexibility of the companies and promotes responsibility and freedom for the employees. The aim of GENIE is to develop training courses and tools to promote and anchor intrapreneurship in these companies. In this context, the partners will carry out a number of clearly defined activities that will lead to the achievement of tangible and operational results, such as: Analysis of existing instruments in the partner countries Development of GENIE tools for the development and implementation of intrapreneurship Development of a board game on the topic Test phase of the board game GENIE results will be practical and relevant solutions for micro and small enterprises, available in multilingual versions, free of charge and without restrictions via the OER platform. GENIE is co-funded by the European Commission's Erasmus Plus program and lasts 24 months between January 2022 and December 2023. The project was submitted and is carried out by seven organizations from six European countries (Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden).