5 useful resources for SMEs

Developed by the Institution’s Business Practice and Regulatory Control Committee to provide guidance on aspects of running a practice and project management. The series covers almost every question you could think of when getting started in an SME. 

Ashley Kacha gives an overview of future trends in structural engineering. The video presentation covers computational design tools and how they are being used across the industry, the importance of digital workflows, and what other relevant resources are available from the Institution. The presentation was recorded during the Small Practitioners Conference 2019.

This half-day course assists engineers working in the domestic sector for householders or small businesses.

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Agree and record clear, enforceable agreements with non-professional clients with no technical background and limited experience
• Recognise the ‘consumer protection’ background
• Recognise and avoid misunderstandings around fees and variations, delays, and your own and the contractor’s responsibility
• Respond to complaints correctly
• Communicate effectively and get paid more easily

In this video Parag Prasad discusses the metrics to use for measuring the success of your business. He goes beyond financial outcomes and looks at multiple aspects of growth areas. Do you know the score in your business?

Jenny King highlights how your business can thrive when you focus on improving your employees' skill sets. A presentation from the Small Practitioners Conference 2019. Jenny covers a range of topics on staff development including: the importance of upskilling, the impact of a skills gap and what employees are looking for.