Progressive Management of Small Firms: Raising Communities' Prosperity

Citation

(2000), "Progressive Management of Small Firms: Raising Communities' Prosperity", Work Study, Vol. 49 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ws.2000.07949fae.003

Progressive Management of Small Firms: Raising Communities' Prosperity

Progressive Management of Small Firms: Raising Communities' Prosperity

R.J. PengellyA & K LtdISBN 1 84108 003 9£28

Keywords Small firms, Training, Business planning

About 95 percent of all organisations in the USA, Australasia and Europe are within the small firms' sector, employing up to 20 people. They offer a diverse range of products and services to the public and to larger organisations. While large public and private organisations do not stem the flow of redundancies and degradation of job conditions, the smaller firms' sector steadfastly remains a key provider of local employment. The strength of a nation's small firms sector is a vital underpinning of future competitiveness. Small firms provide both innovation and enterprise – and the future large firms!

This encouraging book is an essential reference for those wishing to set up a small firm – indeed it is almost a handbook for budding entrepreneurs. It is also essential reading for those developing effective training and other services to support smaller employers. It contains much practical advice in the form of simple checklists which aid smaller firms seeking to improve their business performance and to avoid common risks. It has a complementary set of appendices which cover, for example, the day-to-day processes and procedures required to set up and run a small business. Its guidance includes that on utilising computerised procedures to best advantage.

This serves to raise awareness of the important contribution which small firms make, to communities and to society, and serves as a major reference work to anyone brave enough to enter the world of the small firm.