1. Silvia Vitiello
Partner
Kingston Smith LLP

2. The task
The Objective
Examine whether there are commonalities between successful SME’s
The Research:
1,023 questionnaire respondents
Participants in 13 focus groups
20 case study SMEs
Chambers of Commerce
Institute of Directors
Surrey Enterprise
The Findings
8 key findings
In the UK there are approx 4.5million businesses employing fewer than 250 people – a total of 13.7million jobs – about half of the workforce in the UK in These are the small and medium sized entities.
Only about 65% of these SME’s will survive the first 3 years after start up and that figure drops to 45% after 5 years.
The objective set for this research was a simple question – but it usually the opposite question that is asked (most research examines what went wrong).
This research sought the triggeers that lead to SME success – to provide more effective decision making and to inform policy makers. The research represents one of the largest surveys ever into th strategic management of SME’s in the UK
The research was led by two professors at the University of Surrey: Professor David Gray and Professor Mark Saunders.

3. Key findings What is success? Sources of finance Managing cash flow
Networking and social media
Entrepreneurial orientation
Learning
Advice and support
Outsourcing and exporting
In the UK there are approx 4.5million businesses employing fewer than 250 people – a total of 13.7million jobs – about half of the workforce in the UK in These are the small and medium sized entities.
Only about 65% of these SME’s will survive the first 3 years after start up and that figure drops to 45% after 5 years.
The objective set for this research was a simple question – but it usually the opposite question that is asked (most research examines what went wrong).
This research sought the triggeers that lead to SME success – to provide more effective decision making and to inform policy makers. The research represents one of the largest surveys ever into th strategic management of SME’s in the UK
The research was led by two professors at the University of Surrey: Professor David Gray and Professor Mark Saunders.

4. SMEs: for… Policy makers: Service providers: Key recommendations
Offer integrated, holistic, front-end orientated services
Policy makers:
Provide ‘patient’ capital via business bank
SMEs:
Diversify finance
Close to customers
Learn from crises
Monitor cash flow
The UK SME sector is innovative and dynamic…
but innovation needs 21st Century funding and support
for…

5. The report
Feedback presentations from the professors to be arranged in the region
Hard copies available today
The summary report can be downloaded at:
The full report can be requested by