How Do International Standards Help Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises?

Today the vast majority of the world’s businesses are small to medium-sized enterprises.

SMEs take a highly creative and innovative approach to creating growth and jobs and have a key role to play in generating economic recovery.

So how can such enterprises compete effectively with larger businesses?

One way is through the strategic application of International Standards, which enable SMEs to enjoy many benefits.

Chief among these are increased efficiency, higher annual turnover and greater levels of staff motivation and satisfaction.

International standards create a pathway for small businesses to compete effectively with larger enterprises, creating opportunities for exploring new export markets in the process.

Building efficiency into SME processes, International Standards drive competitive edge, enabling businesses to grow and develop.

Essentially, International Standards enable SME’s to compete on an even playing field with big business, gaining greater market access and creating cost savings.

International Standards provide a mechanism for SMEs to achieve independent inspection of their procedures and processes. Implementing integrated Management Systems to streamline business is a particularly useful aspect from the point of view of SMEs.

Key to today’s market place is the ability to outsource activity. Thus the level of cooperation in facilitating trade and promoting sustainable development that International Standards have to offer creates great benefit for such enterprises.

12 December 2012

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