SMEs holding steady in tough economic conditions, relying on virtual office services

June 20, 2011 - PRLog -- According to a new report from the UK government’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills called Small Business Barometer, small and medium-sized enterprises are “holding steady” in economic conditions which have been tough for some time and which seem to be slightly worsening. One way in which SMEs are maintaining their performance while cutting costs is by using virtual office services such as those offered by Messagemail (http://www.messagemail.co.uk/).

The Small Business Barometer report is based on a survey of more than 300 small employers and the findings revealed that despite the tough economic conditions all companies in the UK are currently suffering under, SMEs are in fact doing surprisingly well. Out of the 500 SMEs surveyed, 31 per cent had increased turnover over the last 12 months, 39 per cent had decreased turnover, and 29 per cent had remained the same. The outlook for the future looked positive however, with 36 per cent of SME employers believe that in 12 months time their turnover will be higher than it is currently, 22 per cent believe it will be lower and 37 per cent believe it will remain approximately the same.

One of the possible reasons being cited for the continuing success of UK SMEs is the innovative cost-saving initiatives smaller companies are leveraging, particularly in the ever-growing arena of virtual office services. SMEs which find the need to downsize without sacrificing customer service are choosing to use the mailing addresses, virtual office space and telephone answering service offered by leading virtual reception and office services Messagemail. Larger corporations cannot necessarily react as nimbly to changing market conditions, shrinking and growing at will. Weighed down with shareholder and board responsibility, larger firms may find it more difficult to make the necessary cutbacks SMEs are making so successfully.

Virtual office services allow SMEs (as well as less burdened and more forward-thinking larger corporations) to make short-, medium- and long-term cost-saving initiatives, while still providing a level of service and portraying an image of professionalism which will help them retain clients, hold steady and weather any economic storm. Find out how virtual office services could help your company at
http://www.messagemail.co.uk/.