Observers vs Doers

It is often observed that there are three sorts of businesses. Those who make it happen, those who watch what happens and those who wonder what happened. The same is true of Governments.

There is an excellent report that has just been produced on SME by Goldman Sachs and others. It is well researched, with excellent observations. It is however a report written for observers.

It is written from the perspective of a focus on what is wanted by the Government for economic growth, rather than what is needed by SME to grow on their own terms.

It makes passing reference to issues of SME motivation and mindset, and the importance of growth mindsets, rather than neutral or resistant mindsets, although it is interesting that it does not reference the excellent original work done by Carol Dweck in this area - and vitally what the necessary preconditions are for stimulating growth mindsets. It seems that as with other vital areas, such as healthcare and education, it is written by those who want to …