The skills that SMEs value

While many of the skills large or small employers look for are the same, such as communication skills and teamwork, there are some skills that will be of particular value in a small business environment. If you possess those skills or strengths already, this might be another indication that an SME could suit you well.

The SME Skills Horizon 2024 report, which surveys 1500 SME decision makers across England, lists the following top requirements:

• Good work ethic
• Team player
• Quick learner
• Confidence
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good personality fit for the business

Other sources list:

• Resilience
• Initiative
• Self-motivation
• Commitment to learning and development
• Eagerness to take on responsibility

While many of these attributes would also be valued by a large employer, it is easy to see why an SME would highlight them as particularly important.

What is your learning style

You may already have explored this at some point during your education, but it will be useful now to spend some time thinking about your learning style and how that might be applied in the working environment.

The Indeed Editorial Team describes visual, auditory and kinaesthetic, or VAK learning styles, as the different ways that people perceive information, depending on their preferences for learning. In a workplace context they describe the common traits of each group as follows:

Being aware of your learning style can help you to understand your needs when expected to learn something quickly in the workplace. For example, a visual learner might prefer to create a mind map, an auditory learner might want to talk to the various people involved in a new project, and a kinaesthetic learner might prefer a physical demonstration.

Self-motivation

In an environment where you’re often expected to complete tasks with limited supervision, the ability to motivate yourself is key. An important aspect of self-motivation is understanding what motivates you.

Jenny Hulme, writing for Psychologies.co.uk, suggests scoring the following categories out of 10. The highest scorers are your most important motivators. She explains each one in more detail in her article.

1. Material gain – material comforts matter
2. Power/influence – you like to be in charge
3. Search for meaning – you need to feel that you are contributing
4. Accomplishment – excelling is important to you
5. Creativity – you enjoy working with your own ideas and talents
6. Affiliation – you’re inspired by working with others
7. Autonomy – you want to be master of your own destiny
8. Security – you wish for a solid and predictable future
9. Status – you seek to be recognised and admired by others

Over to you

Choose the topic that interests you the most and either:

• Think about which of the learning styles you align most strongly with, or
• Reflect on the nine motivators listed and decide which ones feel more important to you.

If you feel comfortable doing so, share your conclusions in the comments below.

If you feel inspired… you could complete both tasks!