The pilot-testing of the FASTER training course was performed in Poland by the West Pomeranian Business School (University of Applied Sciences in Szczecin).

The testing covered four modules, the first one tested in May 2010 and the next three ones tested in July 2010. The four models were focused on the following topics:

1 - BUSINESS PLANNING

• Business plan as a key to successful functioning of the fast growing enterprise:

  • What is business plan and when to prepare it;

  • Target groups and aims;

  • Strategic planning process;

  • Content of business plan;

• Practical knowledge of development of a business plan useful in applications for the business grants.

2 - PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Developing a project plan;

• Defining and confirming the project goals and objectives;

• Determining budgets and timelines for completion;

• Managing the implementation of the project plan;

• Project Risk Management;

• Environment of the PM;

• Added Value;

• The role of the Project Manager;

• PM templates and tools for the project management life cycle;

• Importance of the project reporting;

• Execution of the PM;

3 - ECONOMICS AND FINANCE

• Basic of Finance and Accountancy:

  • Income Statement Model;

  • Balance Sheet Model;

  • Timing of Balance Sheet and Income Statement;

  • Retained Earnings Model;

  • The Accounting Cycle.

• Accounting and Management;

• Value Based Management;

• Analysis of the Business Risk and Opportunity;

• Cost and Investment Evaluation;

• Cash Flow Statement;

4 - PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• The role of manager;

• Team building;

• Work planning, setting targets and evaluation;

• Reappraisal and criticism;

• Development motivation;

• Effective communication;

• Organizational culture.

Feedback provided by participants – main outcomes

Participants to the course, met with great interest showing a huge need for such trainings in the Pomeranian region, were young entrepreneurs, would-be entrepreneurs and students seeing the chance to enhance their knowledge and experience. Up to 20 people participated to each of the training modules tested.

Feedback from participants, gathered through satisfaction questionnaires using different scales, showed high-ratings reflecting very good quality of the training course which proved to be useful and to fully meet most of the expectations.

In particular, trainees remarked the good organization, the high standard of the presenting materials, and, above all, the interesting and innovative approach of the trainers. Many questions were also raised regarding possible plans for similar trainings in future, once FASTER project has been completed.

Below, the results of the trainees’ level of satisfaction are reported:

Participant’s experience – 4,71

(5 being the highest, 1 being the lowest)

Expectation – 2.46

(3 being the highest, 1 being the lowest)

Contents – 3.55

(4 being the highest, 1 being the lowest)

Training methods – 3.57

(4 being the highest, 1 being the lowest)

Training materials – 3.40

(4 being the highest, 1 being the lowest)

Trainer’s approach – 3.81

(4 being the highest, 1 being the lowest)

Workshop – 2.53

(3 being the highest, 1 being the lowest)

Workshop organization – 3.66

(4 being the highest, 1 being the lowest)