In a survey focused on the concerns of SME business leaders, nearly two-thirds (64%) identified retaining talent and boosting performance as their primary worries. This concern escalates to 70% among leaders of medium-sized businesses, suggesting a growing sense of disconnection as their teams expand.

Additionally, 62% of leaders are anxious about distinguishing their business from competitors, a figure that rises to three-quarters (76%) among those at the helm of medium-sized companies. This indicates a pressing need for clear market positioning and differentiation as businesses evolve from startups to scaleups, striving to establish a niche within their sectors.

Moreover, over half of the SME leaders (57%) expressed concerns about understanding their customers and their motivations adequately, which increases to 69% in medium-sized businesses. This highlights an increased sense of detachment from their customer base as companies expand.

Stand commissioned the survey as part of their repositioning, which moves the company more into the business space. Laura Oliphant, Founder of Stand, said “We have always talked about solving business, not just comms challenges at Stand, and our sense was these were shifting. Retaining and empowering teams has always been an issue, but standing out from competitors and understanding and responding to customer motivations is moving up the agenda. Brands that are investing in proactive measures to maintain engagement as they grow, are the winners as it gets harder to stand out in crowded spaces.”

According to Stand, while growth is good news for businesses, it presents new challenges as the worries move from cashflow to culture. Implementing a robust culture strategy early on and continuously refining it as a company grows can minimise the risk of employee turnover and cultivate high-performing teams, whilst regular market insight provides invaluable understanding of how to position a business in a crowded market.  “Good communication is built on insight, and helps businesses adapt and thrive in dynamic landscapes. As SMEs navigate the complexities of expansion, it remains a powerful tool to support change, foster organisational resilience and drive sustained growth,” added Oliphant.

With culture remaining a top concern, Stand has seen its work in this space grow too. Grace French, Director and Head of Culture at Stand, says: “No business leader fears growth. But our research shows that once momentum builds, growing pains take their toll on all areas of business – and culture is no exception. No one wants their brightest talent to leave just as their business starts to take off; that’s when they are needed the most.”