The SME Dilemma In Managing Growth
SME Growth Challenges
Research conducted recently on SME’s looked at three key business activities, with a view to identifying how companies currently spend their time against how they should if they are looking to grow.
The 3 Growth elements were
- Strategy – spending time looking at longer term challenges and opportunities
- Business Improvement – looking at ways of doing the existing systems and processes better
- Day To Day – spending time to actually get items made / services provided

The ideal time allocation for growth
The chart below shows for the 3 key areas the time that should be spent in order for the company to achieve growth
Potential for Owner managers To Add Value | Percentage Time That Would Ideally Be Spent |
Strategy | 60% |
Business Improvement | 30% |
Day to Day | 10% |
The Typical Time Allocation By An SME
The chart below shows for the 3 key areas the actual amount of time that most SME’s spent on the activities
Potential for Owner managers To Add Value | Percentage Time That Would Ideally Be Spent |
Strategy | 1% |
Business Improvement | 9% |
Day to Day | 90% |
How much time do you spend on strategic thinking?
Go on be honest think about the time you spend
Potential for You To Add Value | Percentage Of Time You Are Spending On Each Activity |
Strategy | ? |
Business Improvement | ? |
Day to Day | ? |
Would You Could Benefit From An Improved Strategy
The SME Dilemma In Managing Growth
We find that many SME clients benefit from the discipline of having structured strategy sessions to help in the development and growth of their business. Why not click here Andrew Goode now on 01733 361729 and take out 10 minutes to talk about your current strategy for growth. Unless things change it might be the only strategic thinking you do this month. Alternatively click here to see a range of marketing case studies