Working with Micro-business Dinosaurs

A few yeas ago a head hunter at one of the largest recruitment organisations made it quite clear that, as a micro business in knowledge, I was a dinosaur and work for our type of businesses would disappear. The reasons were unclear, but it seemed to be related to difficulty in engaging micro businesses because of contract, type of employee, etc; or is it loss of control over IP? To test the views of the head hunter, over the last few years I have discussed this situation with other micro business colleagues to see if there was a pattern. Anecdotally, there seems to a pattern whereby opportunities for micro level businesses are diminishing. There were also cases experienced where there was an opportunity that could be filled by a micro; but, any inquiries were ignored. It also seemed that approaches to potential clients were not responded to. A classic response by one prime was "we don't deal with single shingles". Also, it seems as though the end client is more inclined to buy a brand rather than a product. A micro offers a product and not a brand. Is this difference important and the reason for the demise of the micro? So, maybe the head hunter was right, the age of the dinosaur has arrived for the micro business and we need to go find a mud pit, die and become an object for analysis by industrial archeologists.

But, is this the expectation of client's such as Defence.

Defence states in its 2016 Statement of Industry Policy (page 19).

"The recognition of industry as a Fundamental Input to Capability will ensure Defence fully considers the industrial capabilities and the capacity of Australian businesses—micro, small, medium and large—to deliver Defence capability, including operational capabilities and the full spectrum of support functions."

So, is there an expectation that micro business are part of the industry mix? It would seem to be the case. Also, Prime Minister Morrison in his Menzies Institue speech stated "I believe that we should be trying to lift everybody up at once". Now, keep in mind that this was billed as a "headland speech", and such a speech sets out a politicl leaders major policy. Thus, by definition, this statement is policy.

Combining these statements would suggest that there is an expectation that the micro businesses are included. But, are they? There seems to be more inhibitors than enablers to doing business. How many micro businesses have been directly approached to understand how they can contribute to FIC? I suggest the answer is none.

I look at the various ministries and there does not seem to be any activities to engage with the micro businesses. I do not know what the Ministry for small business does? More to the point, do they care.

The micro business is a resource that is innovative, agile, cost effective, and committed. In short, it has a role to play but is fast becoming a dinosaur in the mud flats.

Before this part of our knowledge economy is extinct, we need to find better ways of working with dinosaurs to achieve FIC expectations.