How to Build a Resilient SME in an Uncertain World
Posted on May 27, 2025 by Rob May
If the last few years have taught SME owners anything, it’s this: disruption doesn’t knock politely. It arrives without warning, and how your business responds is what matters.
That’s why I wrote Unbreakable Business. It’s a practical guide for business owners and leaders who want to protect what they’ve built and make sure their organisation can keep going when things go wrong. From cyber-attacks to supply chain shocks, resilience is no longer just a big business concern. It’s a board-level priority for every SME.
Why Resilience Now?
SMEs are often closer to the edge than they realise. A ransomware attack, a server outage, a lost laptop, these things don’t just slow you down. They can stop you trading altogether. Unlike large enterprises, many small businesses don’t have the luxury of deep benches, spare budgets, or dedicated crisis teams. That’s why you need a clear, simple plan that works
The Core Message: Be Ready
This book isn’t about fear. It’s about being ready. It shows how modern cyber resilience and classic business continuity thinking can work together in a practical, straightforward way. It strips out the jargon and gives you tools you can actually use.
Some of the key takeaways for SMEs include:
- Keep it simple. If your continuity plan is so complicated that no one reads it, it’s not a plan. You need something usable, clear, and understood by your whole team.
- Test don’t guess. The time to find out your backups don’t work is not during an attack. Run simulations. Hold tabletop exercises. Learn where the gaps are.
- Make it cultural. Resilience isn’t just tech. It’s people. Build awareness across your team. Make preparation part of the rhythm of your business.
- Cybersecurity is part of continuity. You can’t plan for disruption without thinking about cyber threats. That means clear responsibilities, regular training, and a well-tested response process.
SMEs Have a Strength Big Businesses Don’t
Smaller companies have something that many corporates lack: agility. You can move faster, communicate more clearly, and embed new habits more easily. That makes resilience not just a defensive tactic, but a competitive advantage.
In Unbreakable Business, I share real-world stories of organisations that faced down disruption, and others that didn’t. The difference wasn’t size. It was mindset.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just a book for CISOs or IT directors. It’s for business owners, managers, and leaders who care about continuity, culture, and customer trust. Because resilience isn’t just about avoiding problems. It’s about bouncing back stronger.
The risks are real. But so are the opportunities, for those who are ready.
Get your copy of Unbreakable Business
Now available on Amazon.
We’d love to talk to you about your specific IT needs, and we’d be happy to offer a no obligation assessment of your current IT set up. Whether you are at a point of organisational change, unsure about security, or just want to sanity check your current IT arrangements, we’re here to help.
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