ABSTRACT
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) are inherently closer to their customers, employees and suppliers, and are often involved with local community life, because of the more personal nature of smaller businesses. Arguably, larger, complex, multi-country and even multi-sector businesses will have a more challenging task at each stage of the roadmap. The chapter introduces Five M Model for SME Transparency and explains the options, challenges and different approaches along the way. Every company, large or small, irrespective of location, sector, industry, operating model, state of evolution and any other factor relating to the business, has a social mission alongside its financial mission, which is usually expressed in the financial bottom line of revenues, profit and often growth. Examples of the social purpose, or mission, of business can be found quite frequently these days in corporate communications. The chapter provides some examples of good SME approaches and best practice.
