No quarantine on the internet is the national initiative designed to help Lithuanian SMEs to survive during quarantine and to be successful on the Internet.
“No Quarantine on the Internet” is delivered on behalf of Enterprise Lithuania. The programme’s primary purpose is to encourage SMEs to replace physical stores by developing new e-shops that could help to survive the crisis and succeed by using a different business model.
The business support initiative “No quarantine on the Internet” consists of three main parts: Development of the Lithuanian e-shops’ database as a virtual shopping center, business digitization assistance by providing consultations, business mentoring, organizing e-learning and support for businesses by providing special discounts or free services.
One of the reasons that the “No quarantine on the Internet” Programme has worked so well is that every SME was able to get a free advice from the business or technology advisor, that enabled a smooth and easy transition to the virtual world. Entrepreneurs who have been already using virtual space for their businesses have been encouraged to register their online stores and Enterprise Lithuania will seek to share information about them with as many people in the country as it is possible.
There have been 120 business mentors who, as specialists in various fields of e-commerce, provide free advice to less experienced entrepreneurs, leading them towards a digital and successful business.
Resources needed
- a team of 5 members;
- communication agency assistance;
- 10 000 euros.
Evidence of success
Since its inception in March 2020, “No Quarantine on the Internet” has gathered more than 1200 Lithuanian online shops under one domain, 10 percent of them were totally new e-shops.
It brought together 120 professionals who have become mentors for businesses that are looking to digitize their activities and 25 partners who have offered support to make it as easy as possible for the businesses to move into a virtual space.
Also 10 open-access webinars about e-commerce were organized.
Difficulties encountered
- to start the initiative in a very short time (in one week);
- to find additional human and financial resources;
- to build a united community;
- to find the best way to continue the initiative after the end of quarantine.
Potential for learning or transfer
• Methodology how to support companies on creation of a website;
• Knowledge of the e-mentoring program;
• How to design a value proposition for e-shops;
• How to connect and unite various stakeholders from local community that could support each other on a difficult times.
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Tags: Business, Consultancy, COVID-19, Entrepreneurship, Trade
