Improved technology to represent most important business growth facilitator, South East SMEs believe

Better technology will represent the most important contributor for business growth for South East businesses in 2017, according to Barclays’ annual SME Hopes and Fears Index.

The index, which asks decision makers of UK SMEs which factors they expect will help and hinder growth in 2017, said the availability of better technology is the most important contributor for business growth for South East businesses in 2017. More than four in ten SMEs expect it to be the most positive opportunity for 2017.

The report also shows exporting via international markets and opportunities overseas was cited by the region’s businesses as the second most important influence on growth next year (35 per cent) with consumer demand (27 per cent) and the state of the UK economy (22 per cent) in third and fourth place respectively.

When it comes to factors companies think will have a negative impact on growth in 2017, 43 per cent cite inflation as their top concern. This is followed by the state of the economy (36 per cent) but following recent wholesale price rises, gas and oil costs take third spot with 35 per cent of South East SMEs expecting it to have the worst influence on growth.

Every SME that’s planning to grow in a sustainable manner should also consider the implementation of very solid and reliable workforce management systems, and this is specifically where Time & Attendance South East can help.

We supply an extensive range of time and attendance and access control systems that are user-friendly, innovative and designed for the working environment. Our systems also offer a wide array of features, such as support for contactless smart cards (which would really come in handy in a busy, dusty construction environment), as well as optional finger print biometrics and mobile phone SIM card support.

If you’d like to find out more about the extensive workforce management solutions provided by Time & Attendance South East, just contact us, we’d be more than happy to answer every query you might have.