Super SME’s

Are you a “Super SME”? Recent research has shown a number of companies surveyed were identified as a new breed of “Super SMEs”, confidently marching through the recession with one eye on survival and the other firmly on growth.

There hasn’t been any genetic modification of these businesses, secretly carried out in a plastic tunnel in the country somewhere. The entrepreneurs at the helm haven’t been scientifically bred to withstand the effects of the global crisis. These “Super SMEs” are simply morphing themselves and their business practices to withstand the effects of the recession.

The good news is that being a Super SME is within the grasp of most businesses. The key is investment in your company; particularly, investment in training and coaching, followed by marketing and IT.

There is abundant evidence to suggest that companies with a more engaged and highly motivated workforce outperform their competitors. Recent research from the CIPD suggests that despite the downturn, an increasing number of firms are seeking to learn from external people and then apply the knowledge within their organisations through middle management.

These Super SMEs were identified by Plantronics, whose survey revealed that businesses currently doing well are much more likely to have increased training spend: while just 41% of SMEs surveyed believe their workforce is equipped to reach their full potential and are reducing rather than increasing training budgets, Super SMEs were more likely to have increased investment with 39% spending more on their training in the past 12 months alone.

Business wisdom says it’s clearly a lot easier to splash out on training and development programmes during more robust times when team conflicts can be easily covered up by rewards and financial incentives. However, the current landscape is far less forgiving; coaching, motivation and business development advice will be invaluable tools as businesses brace themselves for continuing difficult times ahead.

Sulis Enterprises ‘Motivation Series’

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