[Column] 5. Small businesses are organizations full of "not enoughs."

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An organization is a group of individuals who share the same mindset, aiming to share goals, devise strategies for implementation, and act according to individual roles based on rules and standards. Most organizations are cohesive because they consist of people with similar values. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are an exception. SMEs can be likened to a "human zoo." Although people happen to work in the same workplace, their values may differ too much, their goals may be scattered, and they may be unsure of the direction they should take. It is a collection of various individuals, resembling a human zoo. SMEs are characterized by a lack of people, resources, money, and management—essentially a state of having nothing. Furthermore, they operate under a system where one person takes on two or three roles, which prevents a deep exploration of the functions that the organization possesses, leading to daily struggles. The structural balance of the organization is disrupted, making it difficult to accomplish even the most basic tasks. Although they are trying hard, the way they are trying is different, resulting in a situation where outcomes do not meet expectations. The foundation of SMEs is thus fragile. Due to this weak foundation, SMEs operate while chronically dealing with some form of ailment.

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