Resilience and adaptation: the values of SMEs

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor)- Italian SMEs, which have always been considered the backbone of the country's economy, enjoy a quite good state of health, although they continue to experience a certain fragility. Taking this snapshot is Elena Pieracci, head of the Novara, Alessandria and North West territorial management of Banco Bpm. "The geopolitical instability is forcing SMEs to reschedule their activities, often within a very tight timeframe. Added to this is the price volatility of raw materials, which affects the day-to-day business of companies and does not allow for clear visibility of the strategies that entrepreneurs must adopt in the short to medium term. We are faced with an ever-changing situation,' explains the manager. A situation that becomes even more complex if we consider that of the more than five million Italian SMEs, more than 90% have a small and micro size. "The challenges that large companies have to face on a daily basis are the same as those faced by SMEs," explains Pieracci, who focuses, among other things, "on the digitisation process, to which the entire sector has long been called upon, and on the use of Ai. Challenges that must be taken up in order to be able to compete in the best possible way on international markets. We can say that Italian entrepreneurs are experienced sailors called upon to navigate in rather rough waters'.

In addition to being an engine of development and growth for the country, SMEs have one characteristic: the relationship with the territory. "What emerges is a symbiotic link. SMEs represent a boost for the geographical area in which they are present. Suffice it to think that over 70% of employment is generated precisely by small and medium-sized enterprises: the reservoir from which the entrepreneur draws is precisely the territory in which they operate. Added to this is the creation of production clusters that, thanks to an efficient organisational model and garrison, also contribute to the growth of the territory from a social point of view. Let's not forget their involvement in various sectors of community life, with support for sport, culture and the enhancement of the local artistic and architectural heritage'.

Despite the complex times, there are positive elements that emerge and that are inherent in the DNA of SMEs. First and foremost, 'the ability to adapt that many entrepreneurs have, and thus also SMEs, in redefining their business in the light of changing situations, thus expressing the problem-solving attitude typical of our country. They are resilient companies, therefore able to adapt to change. The great added value then is the Made in Italy, synonymous with originality, quality, design, style and expertise, all of which makes our companies inimitable in the international market'. However, there are also areas for improvement in this chiaroscuro scenario: 'capitalisation, which sometimes needs to be strengthened, is a first element, then the fragmentation of the sector, and investment in research and development still not at the level of other countries'.

Banco Bpm has always been at the side of SMEs, which are supported step by step through skills and products capable of meeting the individual needs of entrepreneurs. "Entrepreneurs are asking for certainties and quick answers, especially on the credit front; they are looking for a modern bank that is in step with the times. In this sense, the effort that the entire banking sector must make is to continuously renew itself'. Essential for supporting SMEs is the human factor. "The pandemic has brought back to the centre the importance of human relations, leading to the rediscovery of a bank made up of people capable of accompanying and supporting customers. Our entrepreneurs appreciated this and gave new impetus to a constructive and fruitful dialogue with the bank that has not been interrupted since. Banco Bpm goes even further. We are aware of the centrality of the territory, which is why we support through many sponsorships initiatives of value to the territories and promote moments of information sharing and in-depth analysis on topics of interest to companies. Furthermore, our commitment also passes through the support of social and sports activities. Underlying all these initiatives is the awareness that the territory is not just business, but also a place of growth, development and cultural enhancement'.