Knowledge that pays off

We have been organising this project addressed to SMESmall and Medium Size EnterprisesSmall and Medium Size Enterprises customers for many years.

In 2017, we carried out subsequent editions of the nationwide conferences for entrepreneurs. The conferences dealt with various topics, including effective communication and negotiations in companies.

Some of the meetings focused on women in business. Our customers appreciate the possibility of participating in these conferences. Apart from a learning experience, they have a chance to establish new business relations or personally meet renowned experts.

During the last, 9^th edition of the Entrepreneur’s Academy, our entrepreneurs could take part in a number of different conferences, including:

• “How to be successful in business. Communication skill is the key”. The special guest was Robert Krool – a valued mentor and business advisor, who shared his experience on managing his own business and gave tips on how to communicate effectively with partners and employees.
• ”Women in business.” Special guest – Mariola Bojarska-Ferenc, journalist, television producer, fitness coach – during the meeting she shared her experience related to establishing and building several businesses and gave advise on how to achieve business goals and conduct efficient negotiations. She also shared her experience on how she became a business woman.

This project comprises several elements: a nationwide website which is an excellent source of knowledge for entrepreneurs and anyone interested in running a business, “TV Business Evolutions” and a cycle of meetings and workshops.

The topics addressed during the 2017 Business Evolution meetings were selected based on surveys carried out among the participants of previous editions and focused on:

• how to effectively overcome barriers in foreign trade,
• tax optimisation,
• acquiring European funds,
• succession planning,
• financial management,
• effective employee recruitment,
• benefits of non-cash turnover and using POS terminals,

Business Evolutions in 2017:

• 325 meetings attended by
• 4,138 entrepreneurs

We carried out a campaign related to classified documents. Between 3 May and 30 June 2017, we published educational messages on LCD screens on public transport in Wrocław, and from 12 July to the end of August 2017, the same campaign was repeated on LCD screens in our bank branches.

As a member of the Santander Group we can offer our customers access to vast knowledge about global markets and help them in international expansion. The activities usually attract the interest of customers from the corporate segment and the small and medium-sized enterprises segment.

SantanderTrade.com platform, which contains comprehensive and up-to-date information about trade exchange with 185 countries and the main export and import directions worldwide, is available to logged on visitors.

For our corporate customers we have launched a website dedicated to EU subsidies, accessible from the electronic banking platform. We are aware of the presence of a multitude of EU websites on the market. However, because these websites cover all and any EU programmes available in Poland, not only to companies, but also to other public and private entities, finding a suitable programme for your company is very difficult.

A programme that best matches its needs and information about the deadlines for filing applications and basic criteria is what the company needs at the early selection stage. Our customers receive this updated and reliable information via the iBiznes24 platform. Additionally, they can find current information on new research and development tax credits, changes in the functioning of economic zones and many other aspects which make business development in Poland more attractive.

Our Grants for Your Company website was founded by the bank in partnership with Crido Taxand, a company specialising in the acquisition of European Funding for companies.

Despite huge EU funds available in 2014-2020, the value of applications submitted by companies exceeds the earmarked budgets 3 to 5-fold. We want to make sure that our customers are effective in acquiring EU funding. That is why we organise training sessions, conferences and breakfasts for companies and share the knowledge of our bank advisors.

In 2017:

• We organised 7 conferences for corporate customers focusing on the practical aspects of applying for EU funding.
• Companies that were interested received from our advisors regular, updated information about open calls for EU funding applications.