UK SMEs believe they hold the key to economic recovery in 2011

Defying talks of a double-dip recession, the UK’s small businesses have shown that a ‘true grit’ approach is the key to a positive 2011. Confidence was high among respondents to a Cisco® survey, with the majority (60 per cent) stating that they believe small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be the drivers of economic recovery in the UK in the next year.

A recent research report commissioned alongside Cisco’s Business Heroes Awards, the search for the UK’s most resilient SMEs, has revealed that the UK’s SME’s have continued to be highly productive over the last 12month and continue to be optimistic about their prospects for 2011.

Small businesses have been quick to recognise that when it comes to recovery, their size does matter. Owners and directors of SMEs say that flexibility (56 per cent), agility (54 per cent) and better customer service (49 per cent) make them better able to prosper during a downturn than their larger counterparts.

Promisingly, 41 per cent of the UK’s small businesses are beginning to recognise the opportunities that London 2012 will present for them as momentum begins to build up for the Games next year, and 39 per cent recognise the role it will play in kick-starting the UK economy.

Get our essential weekday HR news and updates. LinkedIn This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Work Email Keep up with the latest in HR... This field is hidden when viewing the form Optin_form This field is hidden when viewing the form Optin_date Year Month Day This field is hidden when viewing the form Batch_Newsletter

David Critchley, Cisco UKI director of Small and Medium Enterprises, said: “True grit is all about toughness and tenacity, and the UK’s small businesses have this in bulk. That almost half of SMEs increased their revenues in 2010, amidst talk of nothing but austerity is testament to their role as the engine room of the economy.”

Other highlights from the research, which defined Business Heroes as those SMEs that increased revenues in the last 12 months, showed that successful SMEs are those that tend to invest in people embraced technology and recognised the importance of flexibility.

“Our Business Heroes campaign has uncovered some amazing businesses that have shown inspiring confidence and fighting spirit, which is exactly what we need to embrace across the economy.” concludes Critchley.

“Continued uncertainty in the economy means that trading conditions are very tough at the moment. We have learned how to respond to such challenges and uncertainties to ensure that we strengthen the business year on year,” concurs Louisa Moger, marketing director at Richard Edward, winner of the True Grit category. “To be recognised for our resilience by Cisco is testament to the drive of all those involved in the business and indicative of the UK small business community.”