On May 29, 2024, BBU organized a workshop, "Leadership and HR Challenges of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises", which was also the final event of the ERASMUS+ Cooperation Partnership project LEAD - LEarning And Development in Micro- and Small Enterprises. The event took place at the Markó Street headquarter of the Budapest Business University.

The workshop started with two presentations by Péter Csizmadia PhD., Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Leadership and Human Resources Development, BBU FFA, and Prof. Sára Csillag PhD, Vice-Rector for Academic Development, BBU. This was followed by a professional round table discussion on the current challenges of human resource management in SMEs, where the academic side was represented by one of the speakers, Péter Csizmadia PhD, while successful SME managers shared their business experience; Ildikó Banga, CEO of The Body Shop Hungary, and Erika Sors, HR Manager of BCA Hungary.

The participants discussed the importance of HR awareness in the SME sector and the challenges that the organizations face during their continuous and rapid growth, the different HRD strategies that can be successfully implemented, the importance of CSR in crisis situations such as COVID-19, the conscious generation management of SMEs and the impending impact of artificial intelligence. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ildikó Banga and Erika Sors for accepting the invitation and sharing their valuable insights with the audience!

The LEAD Multiplier Event in Zagreb, Croatia, held on June 19, 2024, focused on "Challenges of Human Resource Management in Small Enterprises." The conference, organized by CEPOR in collaboration with SENTOR, the Croatian Association of Employers, SELECTIO Group, and Algebra University, highlighted effective HR practices tailored for small businesses.

Key discussions included establishing HR functions in a growing IT company, adapting management styles as companies evolve, and insights into HR management at different stages of company development. One session emphasized integrating underrepresented groups into the work collective and sharing experiences and solutions for employing people with disabilities, socially disadvantaged groups, and foreign workers in Croatia.

A lecture on leveraging AI in HR processes showcased how smart technology can make HR more efficient and data-driven, tailored to both employee needs and organizational requirements. Another panel discussion highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing for organizational success.

The conference also presented the results of the LEAD project, with a special focus on the Handbook for Human Resource Management and Development in Micro- and Small Enterprises. This handbook provides tools and strategies for entrepreneurs to create effective employee development strategies and encourage various forms of learning among employees. The handbook was distributed to the 80 participants, ensuring that the discussed knowledge and practices would be implemented in their businesses.

The event underscored the significance of HR practices in small enterprises and demonstrated a strong commitment among attendees to learn and grow, promoting the development and success of small businesses.

On the 9^th of June Tallinn University of Technology carried out LEAD Project dissemination event for students and SME entrepreneurs (altogether 17 people). The event took place at Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre Mektory located in the campus of Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech). The event was led by Prof. Wolfgang Gerstlberger and supported by project specialist Mr. Tarmo Tuisk.

The aim, structure and results of the completed Erasmus+ project were presented. The students and SME representatives who had participated in the piloting were also asked to come to the event to share their experience of the e-learning and face-to-face course pilots. 

Overall, both students and SME entrepreneurs were thankful for the shared information. They also came up with some ideas regarding the possible exploitation of the project materials and learning modules. The participants suggested that an analysis of the relevant market and current conditions, also regarding existing competitors, potential users, and collaborators at the EU level and for each participating and interested Member State should be carried out. This will guarantee maximal utilization of the results in multiple European countries and across different sectors. This aim can be reached only through successful and continuous knowledge transfer to HR specialists and CEOs of the SMEs and MSEs i.e. to the main targets of the project.

The participants also pointed out that smaller businesses need to invest on HR strategies to prevent falling behind and stay competitive. The project outcomes offer a possibility to improve training the selection procedures of new employees and educate HR managers about how to interact, train and support the current staff in the companies to ensure their growth and prosperity.

On 26 April 2024, the LEAD (LEarning And Development in micro- and small enterprises) project was tested with small and medium-sized enterprises. LEAD is one of the ERASMUS+ Cooperation Partnership project. The project involves four universities (UPN, UCP, WUEB, TalTech, in addition to BGE) and two professional advisory organizations (CEPOR, Mac-Team).

The pilot training aims to assess the e-learning curriculum for the "Managing and Developing Human Resources in Micro- and Small Companies" e-course. This e-learning program is highly recommended for small and medium-sized business owners, as well as individuals working in universities and other organizations. We believe that the dual target group (MSE owners) will greatly benefit from the project and its outcomes by acquiring essential methodological and social competencies that promote both individual and collective learning at the company level. The training was conducted by Gábor Réthi, PhD project manager, and Edina Nikolettiné Virág, a university lecturer.”

On June 19, 2024, a conference dedicated to the topic of human resource management in small enterprises will be held in Zagreb. During the conference, the results of the LEAD project will be disseminated. In addition to CEPOR, the conference is co-organized by the Senior Entrepreneurs Club SENTOR, the Croatian Employers' Association, Selectio Group, and Algebra.

The aim of the conference is to highlight good HR practices in the development and management of employees that can be applied in small enterprises. The conference is intended for owners of small enterprises and will enable the exchange of experiences in the field of human resource management at different stages of company development, as well as introduce useful tools to help implement HR practices in small enterprises.

On January 24^th, Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) - Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, received in its Campus in Porto-Portugal, 16 participants from micro and small companies in the agri-food sector from various regions of the country to start a Pilot Training Action on Human Resources Management and Development. The companies represented were agri producers and milk producers. 

On the 22^nd of April, a pilot training of students and SME entrepreneurs (altogether 25 people) took place at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech). The pilot was led by Prof. Wolfgang Gerstlberger and co-instructed by Tarmo Tuisk. The module that was piloted was chosen by the instructors “Paths of Organisational Growth.” Previously all participants were encouraged to pass the module in e-Learning format to ease and facilitate their learning processes during the face-to-face training. 17 students had worked on e-Learning modules and 15 entrepreneur-professionals did so. Altogether there were 17 student participants and 7 SME participants in the classroom. 

The sixth LEAD Transnational Partner Meeting took place on May 17, 2024, in Budapest, hosted by Budapest Business University. The meeting brought together representatives from all partner organizations: Tallinn University of Technology, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, Portuguese Catholic University, ADINVEST Europe, University Paris Nanterre, and CEPOR – SMEs and Entrepreneurship Policy Center.