Small business

1.4 Communicating effectively with the SME sector
Objective: To ensure that mechanisms are in place to enable the views of the SME sector to feed into public policy
in an effective manner over time. 
Effective communication is essential to the success of all the above categories of needs analysis. The
mechanisms established need to ensure proper ‘bottom up’ communication from the local level, as  it is
difficult to make the voice of the SME sector heard at the national level – this is particularly  so for informal
and micro enterprises. Information and communication technology is now beginning to change this. For a
selection of websites on SMEs and their development see also Annex 9.3. 
Information alone is neither knowledge nor learning. Even in the most sophisticated economies a
substantial gap remains in communication with SMEs. Associations remain the main mechanisms for
communication at national, regional and local level.  
EFFECTIVE POLICIES FOR SMALL BUSINESS - © OECD 2004
1. Needs Analysis
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In Romania the National Council of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises produces an Entrepreneurial Barometer
which measures opinions of entrepreneurs on the economic situation, their own dynamics and views of the environment. Opinions
are sought on banks and insurance companies that are trusted, on legislation, on opportunities, and on difficulties faced. The
information is offered to government on a monthly basis. 
In the case of formal sector SMEs, communication can be enhanced by equipping the key stakeholders
with whom the small business interfaces (such as banks, professional services and regulatory authorities)
with appropriate information dissemination capacities. Regular bulletins in small business journals and local
ombudsmen who can answer queries on key issues can also be efficient means of information provision.