Accountancy firms could draw on a range of potential resources when advising SMEs on international matters. Potential sources of information and help include colleagues in other countries; business networks, including industry associations; informal social networks; and informal social media networks, such as LinkedIn (Figure 2.7).
In this survey, however, internal resources (in the sense of partner or employee knowledge and experience) are drawn upon by far the most often (by 68% of respondents). This applies across all countries, continents and sizes of SMP and may in fact be the most economical way of obtaining information, in terms of both time and money.
It is also notable that 9% of respondents did not choose any of the suggested information sources. It seems that, when advising their clients on international activity, these individuals rely solely on their own knowledge and experience. It is also striking that informal forms of social media are rarely drawn upon. No doubt these informal networks are useful for minor queries, but are not considered sufficiently trustworthy or powerful to resolve strategic questions concerning matters of funding and market access