Successful SMEs have always been those that think big, so it’s not surprising many have been frustrated in the past by suppliers unable to support their goals.  Often, this is because the products and services offered by suppliers are stripped-down, ‘diet’ versions of solutions aimed at larger businesses.

Thanks to developments in technology – particularly cloud computing – this is changing.  By embracing on-demand, pay-as-you-go IT service models SMEs can now access enterprise-class solutions at a fraction of the cost paid by big business.  These models not only allow SMEs to avoid high capital outlay on IT but provide the flexibility needed to dip in and out of services as and when they’re needed.

But it’s not just about product.

Today’s SMEs also want the same level of customer service from suppliers that larger organisations receive.  What they don’t want is to be treated as a second-class customer because a supplier’s focus is on serving the needs of a larger businesses first.

As a business that deals day-in-day-out with SMEs and a medium sized business ourselves, we know how frustrating it is to receive second-rate service.

At the end of the day, first-class service is about long-term partnership.  SMEs want to work with suppliers that really understand their business, the challenges they face and the opportunities open to them.  They want a company that can partner with them on their growth journey and support them as they expand and diversify.

Suppliers themselves have a lot to gain from forming long-term partnerships with SMEs.  By establishing a solid working-relationship from the start, delivering on promises and offering excellent service, businesses will lean more heavily on suppliers for advice and support as they grow.  Given today’s start-up could be tomorrow’s global enterprise, there’s really no excuse for not thinking big.