Help for SMEs North West
What SMEs can offer
Better value for money
Bringing in more suppliers will often bring greater competition to the marketplace, thereby reducing the costs of procurement from all suppliers. SMEs often have lower administrative overheads and management costs than larger firms. Depending on the nature of the procurement, this can result in lower prices.
Better quality of service
SMEs have short management chains and approval routes, so they can respond quickly to changing requirements. SMEs may also be highly focused on particular markets, making them especially responsive to changes in those markets.
SMEs are often able to offer a more personal level of service, developing bespoke products and services or tailoring existing ones to meet specific customer needs. They often develop sound, long-lasting relationships with their customers.
SMEs may also be better able to supply higher quality specialist products or services than their larger competitors, either because larger suppliers are discouraged by the limited demand, or because, by concentrating on niche markets, SMEs can retain skills, originality and commitment in their specialist field that are greater than those found in larger competitors.
More Innovation
SMEs can bring innovation through the early exploitation of new technology, providing products or services in new or underdeveloped markets, or by using innovation to differentiate themselves from established market players.