Adam Zoldan Mind The Data Gap BUSINESS BRIEFING PRINTITRESELLER.UK 35 I hope everyone enjoyed the Summer. I think we were all due some rest and relaxation this year and for once, the weather turned up. The first half of the year was tough for many businesses: tax rises, stubbornly high interest rates and Trump’s tariffs all conspired to keep market confidence muted. This time of the year sees everyone return to work, hopefully refreshed, a chance to up the energy and hit our 2025 targets. For business leaders it’s also an opportunity to develop value creation strategies as we move towards 2026. Earlier this year, our sister company, K3 Advantage conducted some research, surveying 250 SMEs. It highlighted the critical role of data insights for UK SMEs navigating economic uncertainty in 2025. The survey showed that 73% believe running a business is harder than ever but confidence remains high, with 75% of leaders optimistic about overcoming challenges and 52% believing their businesses are attractive to buyers. Data insights are essential for improving efficiency, reducing costs, enhancing customer satisfaction, and supporting major transactions. However, a ‘data paradox’ exists: 40% of SME owners admit their ‘gut feeling’ about performance contradicts financial data. Only 45% feel they have a good grasp of their commercial performance, and 42% trust their data for decision-making. Bridging this data gap is critical for SMEs to maximise operational and transactional value. Affordable analytics solutions, training programs, and expert guidance will empower SMEs to use data effectively. High quality data is genuinely essential for SMEs to navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions. It will help you understand where you should invest in your business alongside other key decisions. In transactions, consistent and reliable data is quantifiably valuable. The confidence it will generate among buyers, investors and funders can translate into higher valuations and importantly ensures that your deal gets done. If you’re looking to build value in the business, this is absolutely the best starting point. We are forecasting an uptick in the volume of transactions, and it’s always best to be prepared! www.knightcf.com
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