The guide that follows focuses on senior SME managers and addresses the issues that are
associated with change, proposing a framework and tools for these managers to use when
identifying and implementing change in their own companies. Founding managers are no
strangers to managing change. They have already transformed a fledging start-up into an
operational company. However, non-founding managers may be less familiar with the change
process, and not all change looks and feels like start-ups, thus both types of managers can learn
much from the ideas presented in this guide. In addition, the routines that are ingrained in SMEs
helped generate their success and provide often hard-won stability, but it is important to know
when change is appropriate. Specifically, the guide discusses the triggers for change, types of
change, diagnosis of problems, recognition of opportunities, implementation of change activities,
measurement of outcomes, and rewards for progress toward goal attainment. In addition, the
guide focuses on many issues that are unique to small businesses, such as limited resources, risk
averseness, etc.