Excellent SME

Excellent SME is international project, aiming to establish white list of small and medium enterprises (SME) by means of certification system. Project brings emphasis on web site certification, since internet is becoming prevailing media for promotion and search of business opportunities and partners.

__TOC__

Three pillars

The project is built on three pillars:

• institution of trust, preferably a chamber of commerce, assuming the role of issuer
• credit rating data provided by credit rating agency
• technology that enables easy verification of certificate validity and consequently prevents dilution of trust caused by forgery ().

Criteria

The Excellent SME certificate can be obtained by companies meeting basic criteria:

• small or medium enterprise (usually up to 250 employees, other measures may apply in different countries)
• minimum turnover of 25000 €
• credit score at least 6 (out of 10), BBB in some credit scoring systems.

The certificate is issued for period of 1 year. However the credit score is under permanent monitoring and the certificate is be revoked prematurely if the holder's credit score drops below 6.

Benefits for certificate holder

By publishing the certificate the holder exposes its good standing business and successful practices. The publishing is possible on holder's web site, stationery, promotional materials, vehicles etc.. The observer can thus instantly establish the level of trust that would otherwise require some inquiries with credit rating agencies. As a consequence a selection of business partner becomes easier, faster, cheaper and risk free.

Benefits for the community

With growing number of certified companies the business environment becomes more transparent. Good enterprises are more exposed and visible and client have easier task finding such partner.

History

Project was initiated in 2012 in Slovenia by partners , credit rating agency and technology provider Connet d.o.o. with its .

Serbia joined the project the same year. In 2013 Macedonia and Romania followed. In 2014 Bulgaria joined.