“Exactly what is a small company?” is really a question entrepreneurs seldom ask, because when business proprietors we assume the reply is pretty apparent. Most of us have known for a while that any company under 500 employees is recognized as a small company–right? WRONG!
The “Sba” (Small business administration), helps make the size standard determination for those NAICS business codes, and publishes their produces a 44-page document known as the “Table of Small Company Size Standards.”
This is a sample from the SBA’s various business size standards:
- Convenient store is recognized as a small company whether it has $27. million, or fewer, in annual revenue.
- An application writer…whether it has $25. million, or fewer, in annual revenue.
- A producer of chickens for egg production…whether it has $12.5 million, or fewer, in annual revenue.
- A producer of chickens for meat consumption…whether it has $.75 million, or fewer, in annual revenue.
- A telecommunications reseller is recognized as a small company should they have 1,500 employees, or fewer.
- A cigarette manufacturer…whether it has 1,000 employees.
- A Mineral Made of woll manufacturer…750 employees.
- The Wholesale Trade (all products)…100 employees.
Well, as you can tell, the solution for “exactly what is a small company?” varies everywhere…there’s no simple answer. The reason behind all of the variations appears to become due to the SBA’s appeal process. Initially, any company seeking government procurement contracts can “self-approve” their business to be “small.” Quite simply, you just say you’re a small company.
However, anybody (often a competitor) can challenge your designation when they think you don’t fit the Small business administration size standards. The task experiences the Small business administration appeal process plus they may either alter the size standards (that has produced the variations), issue an exemption on size, or label your company as “apart from small.” The Small business administration publishes an 18 page document listing (in small print) what they are called of companies which have been challenged and subsequently called “apart from small” and for that reason not qualified for small company government contracts, or loans.
So, how can this be even of interest to many business proprietors? Listed here are four fundamental reasons:
1.) Size becomes essential should you ever attempt to use the us government, because a lot of their procurement programs are directed limited to companies understood to be small.
2.) Should you ever intend on applying for the SBA’s home loan programs, it is necessary that your company is indeed considered “small.”
3.) Periodically, the federal government offers special programs, grants, loans, etc. to small companies, but you’ve got to be designated “small” through the Small business administration to be able to qualify.
4.) The numerous government rules affecting business frequently have different rules based on size standards. It ought to be vital that you you to definitely monitor the laws and regulations and rules being produced affecting your company, and take part in getting your voice heard…protecting your “small” status.