SMART Community Review (SCR) 2017 SMART PROGRAM | Page 12
Trade and Investment program, is hosting 5th
more information, or contact SCE global by email:
[email protected]
S.M.A.R.T World Tour 2017-20
Trade Missions - Business Roundtables - Summits
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Idea/Entry & Selection and Exit & Graduation
The process of U.S. and International Market Entry or
Expansion - consumes resources and time. As such, we
must carefully select which companies are accepted as
“SMART Soft-Landing Participants”. We select companies
that will benefit from SMART soft-landing services, as well
as meet requirements and criteria. We refer to selected
companies as ‘participants’.
As our soft-landing program is about guiding
management teams from the entry/idea stage to the
graduation stage, we select each participant with clear
intent, understanding and belief that their business will grow
and flourish as a result of SMART soft-landing program and
ultimately graduate from the program. Company profiles
may vary significantly according to our selection criteria, but
successful graduation is always our common goal.
Therefore, it is important to define an initial road map
towards successful graduation and to select those
companies willing and able, with our support, to reach this
goal. The soft-landing process is tailor-made for each
participant, taking into account the different sectors and
markets in which these companies operate, since
companies in different areas of business are likely to have
different growth rates.
Post-soft-landing services should also be considered, in
order to provide the opportunity for successful companies to
remain affiliated with the SMART Community Exchange
(SCE) international community that nurtured their growth.
Providing post-soft-landing services also allows
undergraduate companies to interact with experienced and
successful firms, in the same or similar industries. Figure
below illustrates the process of SMART soft-landing
program, with an emphasis on Entry and Graduation, as the
beginning and end points of the *Soft-Landing process:
IDEA/ENTRY
Your Region
SOFT-LANDING
Your Region & USA
GRADUATION - USA
It is important to note that the idea/entry & selection, soft-
landing in your Region and USA, and exit & graduation
process above applies to our unique process. After
graduation in the U.S., participants can decide, if they want
to continue the post-soft-landing services, and/or as a
SMART Community Exchange (SCE) partner organization.
Outreach and Virtual Services
We combine traditional soft-landing business services with
outreach and virtual services. This permits more individuals/
companies to take advantage of the services while also
enabling us to control costs by not charging companies for
on-site offices/ employees etc. during the soft-landing
process. Where soft-landing/ entrepreneurial activity is high,
outreach and virtual services can be particularly effective.
Outreach and virtual services provide participants with an
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SMART Soft-Landing Program Brief
opportunity to benefit from SMART soft-landing support at a
minimal cost. The participants can benefit from access to
interim U.S. or international management teams, virtual
offices, and other business support services and strategic
information exchange. Participants can also benefit from the
networking activities that take place through the soft-landing
and post-soft-landing process. Virtual services are the most
effective way of communicating between participants in
Your Region and USA.
Nevertheless, virtual services can never replace the
benefits obtained from person-to-person interaction.
Participants receive one-on-one mentoring, advisory
services, and invites to SMART Summits, during the soft-
landing program both in Your Region and USA. We respond
effectively and in real-time to the participant’s needs.
Participants also benefit from the networking and strategic
knowledge exchange from social interactions with other
soft-landing and business professionals at SMART
Summits, Trade Missions, and Business Roundtables.
Connections
We rely upon the connections all participants can establish,
as the connections can result in new revenue streams,
partnerships, or ideas that may prove financially successful.
We make an effort to connect participants with individuals
such as: Other public and private business service
providers, such as lawyers, accountants, finance,
technology, experts etc. these individuals may be able to
provide services to our clients. Universities, technical
centers and research institutions – These organizations
can offer services, access to intellectual capital, and new
technologies. Matching these organizations with
participants can result in new business ventures and
partnerships. Government agencies – These agencies are
in a position to support participants and help improve the
soft-landing environment through funding. Funds can be
donated, offered as subsidies, or granted as a consequence
of the regional/national policy. These agencies can also
become potential clients of SCE participants. Financiers,
including angel investors, banks and venture
capitalists – These organizations and individuals are vital
to all participants. For most companies, there is a time in
their existence when an injection of capital will be required,
and being on good terms with financiers and investors will
assist in overcoming that obstacle. Local service
providers – We forge strong bonds with local service
providers, our Preferred Service Providers (PSP). These
service providers can fill gaps in services that SCE cannot
offer. In many cases, these firms can be persuaded to offer
group discounts to participants, if a critical mass is reached.
Private sector mentors, including entrepreneurs,
multinational firms, and others – Mentors will provide
participants with additional networks and guidance
regard