Small high tech companies often bemoan the level of government understanding of their business needs and now they are being given the opportunity to air their concerns.
The Electronics Leadership Council and the UK Electronics Alliance are working with distributor Premier Farnell to promote a survey of UK-based small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) in the hope of getting better directed support from the UK Government and trade associations.
An aim of the survey is to fine ways of influencing regulation and legislation and in particular that the views of SMEs are well understood by government as decisions are made.
“The industry is dominated by SMEs which makes it of paramount importance that we feel the temperature of the sector to find out what companies think and determine what they consider important. This survey is a key part of doing that,” said Harry Tee, chairman of the Electronics Leadership Council.
It is also hoped that the findings of the survey will also be used to attract funding for business in the UK and develop targeted programmes that make a positive contribution.
"We are excited to have this opportunity to represent the views of this important community,” said Harriet Green, CEO of Premier Farnell.
"In recent months we have met with a number of key government leaders and industry bodies, all of whom want to stimulate growth, innovation and enterprise in the UK. Our industry is critical to leading the market out of the downturn and affecting change on a global scale as the pervasion of technology continues in every aspect of our lives," said Green.
The web based survey will be available to complete from 25th November through to 9th December 2009
A second stage of focus group consultation is planned in early 2010 involving interested survey participants. It is hoped that as many SME’s as possible will complete the initial survey to ensure it will be truly representative of opinion and make a powerful contribution towards shaping the decision making processes of government.