According to a profile carried out by Datatech, SMEs classified as “I Want to Be Big” are those that offer the most scholarships, courses and participation in events
Survey provides data on the different adoptions of work models by small and medium-sized companies
Serasa Experian, the first and largest Datatech in Brazil, a leader in intelligence solutions for analyzing risks and opportunities, with a focus on credit journeys, authentication and fraud prevention, conducted a survey to understand, in greater depth, the universe of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and their convergent and divergent characteristics in relation to their business performance. In this sense, entrepreneurs form four large groups: I Want to Be Big, Stable Path, Daily Battle and Innovative Leadership.
One of the points analyzed to understand the behavior of companies was in relation to the Human Resources (HR) practices adopted, such as employee training and work models.
Among the fundamental themes that demonstrate good HR practices is employee qualification, and the data shows that 74% of SMEs claim to offer training, with 30% of them having a constant concern with the topic, while 44% present specific actions.
Looking at the profiles, the companies that are characterized as “I Want to Be Big” are the ones that pay the most attention to the topic (84%). Among them, 48% are constantly concerned with training people, while 36% have specific actions. The SMEs called “Stable Path” are the group that offers the least training opportunities: 64%, with 53% in the form of specific actions and 11% with constant attention to the topic. 37% of the SMEs “Stable Path” 37% state that they do not have any type of course, scholarship or participation in events, for example.
SMEs and working models
The hybrid work model is generally adopted by 47% of SMEs, when possible. This percentage is divided into two categories: 27% have a totally flexible policy on the subject, while 20% have adopted the hybrid work model. 39% of small and medium-sized companies work in an in-person model due to the type of work performed. Another 13% state that they adopt an in-person model due to internal company policy.
The study also shows the numbers according to each group. Among the highlights is the “Stable Path” group, which focuses on in-person work, with 52% of companies operating in this model due to the nature of the tasks. On the other hand, the “I Want to Be Big” and “Innovative Leadership” groups have a more flexible stance on the topic, with 53% and 55% of entrepreneurs adopting guidelines that allow home office, respectively.
“Our goal is to support SMEs in their challenges, both with quality and accessible content and with solutions that make their daily lives easier. To do this, it is essential to understand their pain points and challenges, and that is what we sought to do with the survey: to deeply understand their characteristics, ambitions, and investments. We know that actions in the HR area are an important part of a company’s success and, based on the survey data, there is room for improvement for SMEs, and we help with content on our blog and channels about topics related to entrepreneurs’ daily lives,” says Cleber Genero, Vice President of SMEs at Serasa Experian.
See full details below:
I want to be big
31% of the responding SMEs are part of this group, which is characterized by companies that do everything in compliance and have growth plans.
Working Model: 37% work in person due to the needs of the activities; 10% work in person, even though they have tasks that could be performed remotely; 53% adopt home office when possible, with 31% having a flexible policy and 22% working in the hybrid model.
Training: 84% of SMEs are concerned about the issue, with 48% paying constant attention and 36% offering specific actions. 16% state that they do not offer training.
Size and segment: 41% are microenterprises, 33% are medium-sized; 14% are individual entrepreneurs and 12% are small businesses. In the segment, 70% work in services; 18% in retail trade, 9% in industry; and only 3% in wholesale trade.
Company Age: 39% are over ten years old; 24% between 5 and 10 years old; 14% from 3 to 5 years old; and 23% from 6 months to 3 years old.
Stable path
25% of the responding companies fall into this category. The main characteristic is companies in which everything is going well and there is no intention of changes, such as expansion, for example.
Working Model: 52% work in person due to the needs of the activities, 16% work in person, even though they have tasks that could be performed remotely; 32% adopt home office when possible, with 18% having a flexible policy and 14% working in the hybrid model.
Training: 64% of SMEs are concerned about the issue, with 11% paying constant attention and 53% offering specific actions. 37% state that they do not offer any.
Size and segment: 47% are considered microenterprises; 24% are medium-sized; 16% are small-sized; and 14% are individual entrepreneurs. Regarding their activities, 63% are concentrated in the service sector; 22% in retail; 13% in industry; and 2% in wholesale.
Company Age: 51% are over 10 years old; 18% are 5 to 10 years old; 15% are 3 to 5 years old; and 16% are 6 months to 3 years old.
Daily Battle
22% of SMEs fit into this segment in which the main objective is the search for profit and the continuity of the operation.
Working Model: 37% atuam de forma presencial por necessidade das atividades; 13% atuam de forma presencial, mesmo tendo tarefas que poderiam ser realizadas no remoto;50%adotam o home office quando possível, sendo 30% com uma política flexível e 20% no modelo híbrido.
Training: 72% of SMEs are concerned about the topic, with 28% paying constant attention and 45% offering specific actions. 28% state that they do not offer any.
Size and segment: 37% are medium-sized companies; 31% are micro-enterprises; 25% are individual entrepreneurs; and 7% are small businesses. Regarding the sector of activity, 71% focus on services; 18% on retail; 6% on industry; and 5% on wholesale.
Company Age: 24% are over 10 years old; 16% are 5 to 10 years old; 17% are 3 to 5 years old; and 38% are 6 months to 3 years old.
Innovative Leadership
22% presents features of financial security and innovation, being ahead in some topics that are trending in the market.
Working Model: 31% work in person due to the needs of the activities; 15% work in person, even though they have tasks that could be performed remotely; 55% adopt home office when possible, with 30% having a flexible policy and 25% in the hybrid model.
Training: 71% of SMEs are concerned about the issue, with 26% paying constant attention and 45% offering specific actions. 29% state that they do not offer any.
Size and segment: Of the SMEs that fit this profile, 43% are microenterprises; 26% are medium-sized; 18% are small-sized; and 14% are individual entrepreneurs. In terms of sector of activity, 60% are in the services sector; 23% in retail, 10% in industry; and 6% in wholesale trade.
Company age: 37% are over 10 years old; 19% are 5 to 10 years old; 17% are 3 to 5 years old; and 27% are 6 months to 3 years old.
Methodology
The survey involved a representative sample of 1,009 SMEs, considering the classification established by SEBRAE. The survey sought to cover several sectors, including commerce, services and industry, as well as companies that operate in both the B2B and B2C markets. Positions of coordinators, managers, directors, partners and owners were included, as long as they were over 18 years old. The collection was carried out through an online panel and the margin of error was 3.1% with a confidence interval of 95. Associations, federations, churches and other religious bodies were excluded from the sample.