How resilient are Flemish SMEs today? And how future-proof are they in terms of governance, digitalization, sustainability and HR? Questions that were central to a large-scale SME study conducted by Vlerick Business School in cooperation with Titeca pro accountants & experts and Bank of Breda.
The conclusion? Many SMEs show commitment, but get stuck in good intentions. A clear plan of action is often lacking - and that's exactly where a reliable sparring partner like Titeca can make all the difference.
From awareness to action
The Vlerick study zoomed in on four critical areas: governance, digital maturity, sustainability and talent management. These themes are no strangers to many entrepreneurs. Yet the study shows that translation into concrete action lags behind.
"Many SMEs feel the need to strengthen themselves structurally, but often lack the time, knowledge or support to do it effectively," says Matthias Wallaeys, partner at Titeca. "That's why at Titeca we deploy multidisciplinary guidance. We don't just chart the numbers, but help think about future-proof choices."
Understanding four areas of growth
- Governance (Governance)
Only 1 in 3 SMEs operates with an advisory or management board. Many strategic decisions are still made without a formal sounding board.- Titeca supports entrepreneurs in building a thoughtful governance structure, with attention to share ownership, succession and owner vision.
- Digitization
Many SMEs digitize primarily to meet legal obligations. The real digital lever - such as automation and data analysis - often remains untapped.- Titeca helps digitize accounting processes, reporting and administrative workflows.
- Sustainability
More than half of the companies surveyed recognize the importance of corporate sustainability, but only a minority translate this into a concrete action plan.- With guidance around the VSME standard and CSRD reporting, our pro experts make sustainability measurable and actionable.
- Human Resources
Although many companies are committed to being good employers, strategic HR policies such as retention or competency management remain limitedly developed.
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- Titeca provides support in HR strategy, organizational development and talent management.
One clear signal: the will is there, now the structure
Entrepreneurs want to get ahead. But they often come up against a lack of time, complexity or expertise. This is precisely why Titeca pro accountants & experts focuses so strongly on an integrated approach: partly thanks to the life loop that we outline for each entrepreneur, we map out the financial, legal and strategic needs of entrepreneurs - tailored to their growth phase.
"What you need as an entrepreneur is a reliable guide," concludes Matthias Wallaeys. "Someone who doesn't just point out risks, but helps build your future. That's where we make a difference."
Curious about the press release and the full report? You can read and download it via this link.
Do you have questions about how your company can grow stronger in terms of governance, digitalization, sustainability or HR? Our pro experts are ready to engage with you.