SMEs
Mid-sized business category
SMEs is an abbreviation with two common meanings depending on context.
In business, it stands for small and medium-sized enterprises—companies below a certain size threshold: Government grants support SMEs in the tech sector.
In technical and professional contexts, SMEs are subject matter experts—people with specialized knowledge consulted for their expertise: We brought in SMEs to review the documentation.
Very small-scale commercial venture
- family-ownedOperated by relatives
- startupNew business enterprise
- boutiqueSmall specialized retail shop
- independentFree from external control
local · regional · self-employed · owner-operator · shopkeeper · tradesperson · merchant · vendor
One who begins something
- bootstrappingSelf-starting without external input
- scalingClimbing or resizing
- ventureRisky new undertaking
- growthIncrease in size
crowdfunding · co-founder · pivot · incubator · accelerator · pitch · hustle · risk-taking
Expert in one field
- consultantProfessional advice provider
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- knowledgeableHaving extensive information
- experiencedHaving practical knowledge gained
proficient · skilled · advisor · mentor · guru · maven · technician · artisan
Concentrated expertise in one field
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
- handmadeCreated manually, not mechanically
- bespokeMade to individual specifications
- customizedAdapted to specific requirements
tailored · craftsmanship · curated · exclusive · specialty · custom-made · personalized · made-to-order
Paid occupation status
- GDPNational output abbreviation
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- innovationCreating something original
competition · diversity · supply-chain · community · sustainability · agility · adaptability · development
microenterprise
Very small-scale commercial venture
- family-ownedOperated by relatives
- startupNew business enterprise
- boutiqueSmall specialized retail shop
independent · local · regional · self-employed · owner-operator · shopkeeper · tradesperson · merchant · vendor · retailer
founder
One who begins something
- bootstrappingSelf-starting without external input
- scalingClimbing or resizing
- ventureRisky new undertaking
growth · crowdfunding · co-founder · pivot · incubator · accelerator · pitch · hustle · risk-taking · opportunity
specialist
Expert in one field
- consultantProfessional advice provider
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- knowledgeableHaving extensive information
experienced · proficient · skilled · advisor · mentor · guru · maven · technician · artisan · craftsman
specialization
Concentrated expertise in one field
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
- handmadeCreated manually, not mechanically
- bespokeMade to individual specifications
customized · tailored · craftsmanship · curated · exclusive · specialty · custom-made · personalized · made-to-order · heritage
employment
Paid occupation status
- GDPNational output abbreviation
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
innovation · competition · diversity · supply-chain · community · sustainability · agility · adaptability · development · livelihood
SMEsmultinationals
Corporations operating in multiple countries
multinational corporations · MNCs · corporations · big business · conglomerates
SMEsmonopolies
Exclusive market control
multinational corporations · market leaders · industry titans · MNCs · oligopolies
SMEsbureaucracies
Complex governmental administrative systems
listed companies · institutional investors · government agencies