The document discusses small businesses in the UK and EU. It defines micro, small and medium enterprises according to EU criteria. Most businesses and employment in the UK are found in small firms, especially in services. Over time, small businesses have grown in services, niche markets, and self-employment. They provide flexibility but face challenges in marketing, funding, and economies of scale. Both the UK and EU implement policies to support small business development through financial and training programs.

1. The Small-Firm Sector

2. Defining the Small-firm Sector EU definition of SMEs by number of employees micro enterprises small enterprises medium enterprises

3. EU SME definitions

4. Defining the Small-firm Sector EU definition of SMEs by number of employees micro enterprises small enterprises medium enterprises use of EU definitions in the UK

5. Defining the Small-firm Sector EU definition of SMEs by number of employees micro enterprises small enterprises medium enterprises use of EU definitions in the UK Size of the small-firm sector in the UK

6. Number of UK businesses, employment and turnover by size of enterprise (2002)

7. Number of UK businesses, employment and turnover by size of enterprise (2002)

8. Number of UK businesses, employment and turnover by size of enterprise (2002)

9. Number of UK businesses, employment and turnover by size of enterprise (2002)

10. Number of UK businesses, employment and turnover by size of enterprise (2002)

11. SME share of UK businesses, employment and turnover by industry (2002)

12. SME share of UK businesses, employment and turnover by industry (2002)

13. SME share of UK businesses, employment and turnover by industry (2002)

14. SME share of UK businesses, employment and turnover by industry (2002)

15. The Small-firm Sector in the UK Changes over time growth in the service sector growth in niche markets new working practices flexible labour markets subcontracting growth in self-employment as an answer to unemployment

16. The importance of small firms in the UK Employment in manufacturing enterprises with fewer than 200 employees as % of total employment in manufacturing enterprises

17. The importance of small firms in the UK Employment in manufacturing enterprises with fewer than 200 employees as % of total employment in manufacturing enterprises

18. The importance of small firms in the UK Employment in manufacturing enterprises with fewer than 200 employees as % of total employment in manufacturing enterprises Self employed as % of UK labour force

19. The importance of small firms in the UK Employment in manufacturing enterprises with fewer than 200 employees as % of total employment in manufacturing enterprises Self employed as % of UK labour force

20. The Small-firm Sector in the UK Changes over time growth in the service sector growth in niche markets new working practices flexible labour markets subcontracting growth in self-employment as an answer to unemployment role of government

21. The Small-firm Sector in the UK Changes over time growth in the service sector growth in niche markets new working practices flexible labour markets subcontracting growth in self-employment as an answer to unemployment role of government International comparisons

22. Survival, Growth and Failure of Small Firms Competitive advantage and small firms flexibility quality of service production efficiency and low overheads product development and innovation Problems facing small businesses selling and marketing funding R&D management skills less ability to gain economies of scale

23. The growth of small businesses the process of growth Survival, Growth and Failure of Small Firms

24. Management role and style in the five stages of a small business

25. Management role and style in the five stages of a small business

26. Management role and style in the five stages of a small business

27. Management role and style in the five stages of a small business

28. Management role and style in the five stages of a small business

29. Management role and style in the five stages of a small business

30. Survival, Growth and Failure of Small Firms The growth of small businesses (cont.) the entrepreneur motivation and desire to succeed educational attainment management experience and business knowledge the firm the age of the business the sector of the economy legal forms location

31. Survival, Growth and Failure of Small Firms The growth of small businesses (cont.) strategy workforce and management training use of external finance product innovation export markets use of professional managers conditions for success of small businesses

32. Government Assistance to the Small Firm Small-firm policy in the UK small business start-up types of support financial assistance small business growth financial assistance corporate venturing national 'business angels' training programmes

33. Government Assistance to the Small Firm Small-firm policy in the EU historical background SME Action Programme

34. EU SME Action Programme

35. Government Assistance to the Small Firm Small-firm policy in the EU (cont.) policy initiatives financial instruments Structural Fund European Investment Bank research and technology development vocational training programmes other programmes