Investment in training did not improve performance in the short term for SMEs in
one UK industry sector (Wood, 2006) yet, trained managers assist SMEs to progress.
Further there is some disagreement on the efficiency of more formal off-the-job training
methods, particularly for family run SMEs, where it is often not practical. Off-the-job
training of non-family members is unreasonable as the owner or family member inside
the business is the one who knows most about internal needs (Cannon, 1995). At the
same time transfer of learning from off-the-job training in family run SMEs is limited.
It depends on a complex network of social relationships between family members (for
example husband and wife).