The document summarizes key findings from a research project on promoting sustainable performance. The project studied over 200 UK small and medium enterprises to understand factors influencing business growth. It found that most companies reported offering both lower prices and better quality than competitors, which seems paradoxical. However, research showed that growth was linked to both a high emphasis on quality and a flexible pricing approach. Strategic planning was also found to be important for growth, while lack of planning was associated with less growth. The research aims to help businesses, academics, and policymakers by providing insights on sustaining performance.

1. Promoting Sustainable Performance Applied research project Key findings to date James Turpin Saturday 3 rd July 2010

4. I. The Promoting Sustainable Performance Project

9. However, our research would suggest that Kent-based Small and Medium Enterprises are combining both quality and price driven strategies…

11. Conventional theory Low Price High Price Low Quality High Quality

12. A paradox… 67% of companies… … report offering lower prices than their competitors 61% of companies… … report offering better quality than their competitors

14. 1 st contributory factory to GROWTH… Customer care … Personal attention to customer needs

15. 74% of companies… Quality Standards … with an ISO 9000 accreditation demonstrated GROWTH

16. 67% of companies… Performance Measurement … measuring product/service quality reported GROWTH

17. Pricing 23% of companies… … relying solely on price focused tactics demonstrated GROWTH