In SMEs We Trust!

Most of the world’s largest companies were once SMEs!

To say that the world will not go round without the existence of SMEs is merely a statement recognising and acknowledging one of the bedrocks of global society. All we need to do is look at their roles, their involvement with society, and their contributions to the economy and to employment. Our daily engagements with SMEs are a vital part of the eco-system that keeps the world going.

SMEs, no matter how micro, small or large their contribution to an economy, play an equally crucial role in the working and growth of large corporations. You simply can’t take SMEs away from the economic system, let alone our daily lives. SMEs are the economic and social foundation of the world! Without SMEs, there will certainly be chaos in our daily routines and the economy of the world will definitely be adversely impacted!

Without SMEs, all personal routines or business operations will have to directly involve the principles. Business cards, letterheads, office stationeries and others business requirements will be difficult to get supply. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. If you think about it, you will see that it is really hard to imagine our world without SMEs.

Aside from the drastic changes that would take place in our daily lives, it is equally hard to visualise the total lack of entrepreneurship. What would we do without the maverick, renegade entrepreneurs? So much inspiration and innovation would be lost. Without SMEs, just about everyone would need to be an employee. You will either be working for a large corporation or unemployed! SMEs are the lifeline of economies.

From Mamak shops to Secret Recipe; barbershops to A Cut Above; mom and pop shops to 99 Speed Mart, SMEs play indispensable roles in all our lives. An SME is the beginning of a great and fascinating entrepreneurial journey. Although it is true that all businesses face similar challenges, the reality is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for the challenges SMEs face. SMEs are a diverse and innovative lot. They often do things no one has ever done before. This makes running an SME business a never-ending challenge, which is also endlessly interesting!

The best business stories told are about entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs build the most fascinating careers and companies. Starting business needs courage. Running a business requires determination. Growing business needs perseverance. Maintaining and improving a business requires sacrifies. You can find all these qualities in an SME entrepreneur.

Most people don’t know what SMEs are and they don’t have any idea what SMEs do. More often than not, they take SMEs for granted! Unless and until people get to know SMEs, no admiration or appreciation will ever to be seen or shown.

That’s why it is so important to promote the SMEs. That is the primary reason I founded the MALAYSIA SME^® Media Group and started the nation’s first SME business newspaper. SME need to be branded and become a renowned brand. Society owes it to the SMEs and it is long overdue that the role and contribution of SMEs is recognised and appreciated by people from all walks of life and all ages.

The day will soon come when SMEs are highly regarded by every citizen in the world.
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God bless SMEs!

Wayne Lim
Group Chief Executive Officer / Group Chief Editor