Working with the IfM

Innovative Services for Agencies supporting Manufacturing SMEs

The global context within which manufacturing SMEs operate is changing dramatically. From the IfM's work with over 500 manufacturing SMEs, it is clear that SMEs need help to develop effective strategies and capabilities in response to these rapidly changing external factors, however, SME senior managers have very limited time to work on these issues; Improvement approaches need to be effective, efficient, accessible to SMEs, - and configured to each SME's individual priorities, focusing on those projects which are most critical to the firm’s success. The IfM has developed Tools, Education, and Consultancy support which can be transferred to Business Support Agency teams, or be delivered to SMEs by IfM on Agencies' behalf.

Engagement Approach

The IfM has developed a structured, flexible, and SME-appropriate Engagement Methodology, including tools, based on research and tested in SME-specific applications, together with a team of experienced manufacturing business practitioners to deliver SME business support programmes.

Prioritisation

The purpose of IfM ECS's SME Prioritisation Tool is to identify and prioritise the key issues facing the business and develop appropriate, prioritised action plans.

Business Strategy Development

The purpose of IfM ECS' SME Business Strategy Development toolset is to help the manufacturing SME to define its:

• Aims and mission
• Financial and market goals
• Basis of competition
• Plans for implementation

Software to Support Engagement

IfM has implemented the Prioritisation and capability Assessment tools in software, which:

• Maintains the SME engagement history
• Records the SMEs' performance as assessed using the Tools, and performance improvements
• Enables analysis and graphical outputs for feedback
• Enables data to be aggregated and analysed to inform targeting of support resources and policy development

Capability Assessment

The purpose of IfM ECS's Capability Assessment Tools is to diagnose the causes of under-performance of, and enable the development of an action plan to improve, key capabilities.

Capability Development

The purpose of IfM ECS's Capability Development Tools is to enable SMEs to build effective capabilities aligned with their Business Strategy.

Example: New Product Introduction Capability Development