Many SMEs struggle to recruit people with exactly the right experience, skills and attitude. This article explains why waiting for the “finished product” can restrict growth and how businesses can build the capability they need by recruiting for potential, developing existing employees and creating clearer routes for progression.
People & Management (HR)
“Orders Are Optional”: How SME Leaders Can Harness Generational Differences for Stronger Teams
Today’s SMEs often have four generations working together, and leaders can’t assume one style fits all. Generational differences can cause friction, but with emotional intelligence and conscious team design, they become strengths.
When Bonuses Bite Back: How Poor Incentives Undermine Performance
When Bonuses Go Wrong: Smart Incentive Design for SME Success
Incentives are powerful but poorly designed ones can hurt more than help. From the infamous Cobra Effect to modern business backfires, this article explores how to build reward schemes that drive sustainable results, teamwork and performance. Essential reading for any SME leader designing bonus structures.
Future-Proofing Your Business: Why Succession Planning is Essential for Growth
Is your business prepared for the future? Many companies overlook succession planning—until it’s too late. Learn why leadership transitions matter, how poor planning has led to corporate failures, and what successful businesses are doing right. Explore practical steps to secure your company’s long-term success and ensure smooth leadership handovers.
Continuous Improvement doesn’t have to be difficult (4)
So far, we’ve covered three things you can easily do to get your improvement journey started: Make notes in real time about what goes wrong or can be improved Chat about how well (or otherwise) things are going and what needs to change Draw pictures of how you do what...
How an expert helps unlock growth
Getting an outside opinion helped one food company increase its sales by 10 per cent and diversify its risk profile in a highly competitive market. The business had an opportunity. One of its main customers asked it to take over the manufacture of a high-demand...
Empower your people to grow business (3)
We know that reducing costs, improving efficiency, effectiveness and productivity, and enhancing the experience of your employees and customers are all proven benefits of continually improving your business. We also know businesses can be put off by what seems to be a...
Improve your buying skills
Most small businesses need a technology supplier. If you are not savvy, you could be wasting 30 per cent of your budget by paying too much. To reduce costs, you need to understand how the supplier margins work. There are two simple elements to a supplier margin: the...
Get your hiring mindset into gear
The most helpful advice I have received recently on hiring was that a new salesperson needs to generate ten times their salary to justify adding to the team. The advice came from Donald Miller at his April Business Growth Boot Camp, where he shared how he...