Big Business working with

Small Business


Most small businesses (>80%) are run by sole traders. That's about the end of any accurate generalisations which can be made about them. ...or is it? We help Big Businesses understand Small Businesses--and to develop appropriate products and services for them...and to find them.

Let's look at some basic facts about businesses with only a few employees:

Statistics:

  • Over 65% of the business enterprises in Europe have fewer than 4 employees. In the European Union alone there are over 15 million enterprises with fewer than 20 employees
  • A larger percentage of small businesses "cease to trade" each year than large businesses; however, "ceasing to trade" does not equate to failing: entrepreneurs sell their start-ups, small companies merge or are bought out by larger ones and family business owners retire handsomely when they finally close shop. Of course, there are horror stories--but far fewer than mis-interpreted data might lead one to believe--certainly with less drama and damage than when large businesses fail.

Behaviour and characteristics:

  • Small business owners are smart, have courage and work long hours.
  • Many small business owners care less about money than they do about quality, reputation and being their own boss.
  • Small business owners care that their suppliers deliver quality and efficiency. They care about price--but value for money is more important than price alone.
  • Work for which large companies use support services is often done by the small business owner "after hours." Work like bookkeeping, cleaning, ordering supplies, maintaining equipment and managing cash flow all take time and are usually outside the expertise of the SME owner.

SBS has worked successfully with a wide range of FTSE 100 and Fortune 100 companies -- from insurance and banking to computers and energy supply -- helping them address the many needs of this large and attractive market segment. If your company wants to take a look at the SME marketplace, give us a call.