Curia poll on Sustainable Business Practices

Curia did a poll for BDO Spicers and Ideas Shop of 400 small and medium sized businesses.

BDO Spicers report on one aspect here, being the three biggest challenges facing SMEs. They were:

1. Economy 37%
2. Cash Flow 36%
3. Attract and Retain talented staff 36%
4. Reduced Sales 28%
5. Red Tape 14%
6. Staff Costs 13%
7. Access to Capital 11%
8. Higher input costs 11%
9. Currency fluctuations 10%

It was interesting that despite increasing unemployment, there was still challenges in recruiting the right staff.

At Ideas Shop they have a report focusing more on the environmental, employment and charitable business practices of SMES:

• Around 10% of SMES formally report on their sustainable business practices
• 95% of SMEs undertake at least one environmentally sustainable business practice
• 35% of SMEs offer wellness benefits such as counselling, fitness subsidies or independent financial advice
• 93% of SMEs undertake at least one charitable activity
• Time and money are the biggest barriers to incorporating further sustainable business practices