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Thread: Big business suppressing SME growth?

  1. #11
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    Too many people out there think being an SME means doing what the big boys do, but on a small or medium scale. They leave their corporate job and then try sell their skills on the open market, instead of being either innovative or identifying a niche. They end up owning a job, instead of owning a business and then wonder why they cannot compete. I once read a book that was quite informative, called "Blue Ocean Strategies". Very worthwhile.

    There are also definite ways in which legislation could facilitate operating an SME, but so many others succeed that red tape can only be used as an excuse for failure and not as a reason.

    Another problem or disadvantage we sit with is the fact that we often educate the concept of risk right out of people. People who have studied any of the engineering disciplines have been taught NEVER to take any risks. Risk in design and construction is bad, but in business it is often an essential ingredient. Business is competition and you always need a loser in any competition.

  2. #12
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    RIsk issues

    I think risk is a case of horses for courses. I do not want an engineer taking risks with my life. entrepreneurship is about understanding, assessing and minimising risk - and we are not taught that. Our education system under every government has been about "do as you are told", never about debate and challenging the paradigms. We have never been taught to think for ourselves, hence the low entrepreneurial index in South Africa.

  3. #13
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    SME's can deliver better service

    I agree that we cannot blame others for failing in business. Most large companies lose their ability to deliver good and personal service. That is where the small business can make the difference. You will however not always get the business the first time you knock on the customer's door. It takes time and you have to be consistent.

  4. #14
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    Upstairs

    Couldn't agree more. The responsibilty for business is in the owner - no one else. Small business has fantastic opportunity in this country to deliver service as most large business's have lost that, especially in S. Alas, not many small business' do though
    Garth

    Electric fence Installation : www.midrand-electronics.co.za
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