The domestic turnover of small businesses is showing tentative growth signs after a long struggle through the economic crisis, according to a quarterly study by invoice and asset-based lender ABN AMRO Commercial Finance. The study, entitled “The Cashflow Barometer”, revealed a five per cent rise in quarters two and three, and suggested that the recruitment and services sectors were the primary growth points.

The services sector saw a 4 per cent rise in turnover, while recruitment enjoyed a relatively large 10 per cent increase. The manufacturing and distribution sectors also saw growth, while engineering continued to fall, prompting Peter Ewan, managing director for ABN AMRO Commercial Finance, to comment: “Although it’s encouraging to see such a positive outlook for the service segment of the UK’s SMEs, clearly more needs to be done to support businesses… Recruitment sector growth is likely to be based on increasing demand for temporary workers and isn’t guaranteed to last in the long-term. Similarly, engineering and manufacturing need a significant boost if we are to see the promised export-led recovery.”

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly producers, are well known for their preference towards print marketing to reach a varied demographic – personalised business cards and branded leaflets are essential alongside online campaigns. In the face of financial uncertainty, advertising and brand-building has an even more important task – for businesses of all sizes – and it’s this variety that could give SMEs the edge when it comes to boosting turnover by creating a larger visual presence in the market.