Are small businesses the “unsung heroes” of today’s economy?
Overshadowed by the attention given to large companies during the economic downturn, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Europe and the Middle East believe that they are key to a turnaround, a new survey shows. Eighty-five per cent of SMB owners and representatives surveyed agreed that they deserve more credit as being essential to a healthy economy. SMBs make up more than two-thirds of Europe’s workforce and this survey shows that they believe they will play a critical role in any economic recovery. “Many small businesses think they are unjustly left out of solutions for economic problems that weren’t their fault,” said Tom Yeates, Director, Partner Sales, Solution Partners Organisation, HP Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), which commissioned the survey. “Big policy decisions and reforms continue to dominate the news while SMBs quietly hold on, hoping they won’t be innocent victims.” The survey showed that SMBs in Europe and the Middle East value technology and geographi
