The changing shape of SMBs – latest advisory panel video discussion
Continuing our quarterly SMB panel discussions on the economic and business climate for SMBs, we’ve now got videos of the discussions on the Small Business website.
There are three videos, focusing on the following areas:
- How do you view the economic climate changes for SMEs since the panel met in July 2009?
- How would you summarise 2009 for SMEs and are there any particular trends you would highlight?
- What changes do you see taking place within 2010 and beyond?
Panel members included Robert Epstein, Head of Small Business, Microsoft SMB UK; Stephen Pegge, Communications Director, Lloyds TSB Commercial; Stephen Alambritis, Head of Public Affairs Federation of Small Businesses; and Henry Eldelbaum, Director of AIMS, Accountants for Businesses.
Points arising from the discussions included:
- A note of caution that although we may be nearing the end of the recession this is still a very difficult time for small businesses, and productivity and efficiency remain vital watchwords.
- The panel expects to see the growth of an era of collaborative and flexible working, where innovative SMBs who are able to add real value to their customers, will prosper. ‘We will see the growth of the ‘network’ business, as opposed to the isolated individual. People will collaborate on certain projects but not be tied to one relationship or deal. SMBs will work together with a larger number of suppliers and customers with far greater fluidity than ever before; focusing on their core business and bringing in specialist as and when required.’
- Technology lies at the heart of driving these remote and flexible working practice and ‘cloud computing’ or hosted online services will become widespread as businesses take advantage of agile IT infrastructures.
Read more about the panel's findings and watch the videos: The changing shape of SMBs.