SME Growth and Productivity Research Cluster

We understand that our region and nation have been underperforming economically for a long time. We are working towards:

• Solving the productivity and growth puzzle
• Developing a comprehensive view of SME growth
• Developing a comprehensive view of business support
• Developing all of this against a backdrop of limited resources

Our aims

We are developing a comprehensive model of Informed Business Solutions. How do we do this?

• We approach each business challenge with a research-driven mindset, ensuring our solutions are grounded in data and facts. Our team combines industry expertise and cutting-edge research to provide businesses with informed solutions that drive growth and success.
• We are problem solvers who use our analytical skills and knowledge to develop customised solutions for businesses of all sizes."
• We work collaboratively with businesses to understand their unique needs and challenges and develop solutions that are practical, effective, and sustainable.
• We take a holistic approach to problem-solving, examining every aspect of a business to identify areas for improvement and deliver comprehensive solutions. Our solutions are designed to be scalable and adaptable, ensuring businesses can continue to grow and evolve.
• We believe that successful businesses are built on a foundation of knowledge and understanding, which is why we prioritise research and analysis in everything we do.
  Our solutions are tailored to each individual business, considering their unique goals, challenges, and resources.
• We pride ourselves on providing businesses with practical solutions that deliver measurable results, and we work tirelessly to ensure our clients are satisfied with our work.
  
  

Business support for SME's

Informed Business Solutions Model

1. PSP Research - comprehensive data
2. PSP Diagnostic - individual business data
3. Facilitated inclusive discussion
4. TT Toolbox - strategy, mindset and digitalisation
5. Roadmap journey of growth
6. Embedded impact
   
   

This model also includes a Business diagnostic that acts as:

I.  Assisting individual businesses to gain a deeper understanding and develop a strategic journey that is tailored to their unique challenges and opportunities. 
II. This data can be aggregated to provide a rich picture of SME growth for policy and intervention.

Each business receives:

• A short concise report to each business
• A holistic view of long-term growth
• An inclusive discussion of the key elements of business growth
• A holistic learning and development solution
• Embedded improvement and efficiency
• A toolbox (with over 80 key interventions) based on a Transformation Triangle growth framework:
  
  I.  Strategic Transformation
  II. Mindset Transformation
  III. Digital Transformation

Our research

Our research concentrates on SME growth and productivity but also includes topics such as innovation, entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship education and strategy.

All of our research translates into interventions and advice for SMEs and guidance for practitioners and policy makers. We take an engaged scholarship approach where our research aims to be inclusive and engaging in the interpretation of our analysis and development of the overall results. Thus, providing a rich understanding of our subject matter providing for depth, breadth and impact, and adding value to all we do.

Our researchers have published widely on corporate social responsibility, productivity, scale up and transformation, Entrepreneurs in Residence, Employee attitudes and behaviours toward growth, HRM and productivity in SMEs, and finance. We are presently working on: 

• An East Midlands Innovation Zone investigation for the East Midlands Combined County Authority
• SME growth in Indonesia and Canada
• SME growth in Derby/Derbyshire
• BIG Ten Growth Capabilities
• The Dynamic Organisational Transformation Framework
• Ethnic minority entrepreneurship
• Micro Mobility in the East Midlands

Join us

If you are interested in joining this research centre or want to find out more, please contact Mark Gilman at M.Gilman@derby.ac.uk.