Trends Research measures the pulse of British business

Who are Trends?
Trends Research brings together several organisations with direct involvement in the UK’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) community. Two key factors are common to all these organisations: Firstly, they have a clear understanding of how SMEs operate and the issues SMEs have to address. Secondly, they are driven by a belief that large scale, high quality research gives SMEs a far stronger voice within the British business community.

What does Trends do?
Trends Research carries out quantitative research surveys amongst thousands of SMEs who are members of the participating organisations, together with other business professionals who have chosen to support Trends’ work. The surveys are deliberately short and simple to complete because Trends recognises the time pressures faced by SME managers. The surveys look at various topics ranging from use of technology and levels of business confidence to flexible working and attitudes toward social networking.

Why does Trends do it?
SMEs account for 99.8% of all British businesses. But SMEs account for such a diverse cross-section of enterprises that it is difficult to measure. Only through sympathetic, large scale research is it possible to understand SME’s moods and the key concerns. Trends Research is the first to make this possible.