HIP has seen firsthand the importance of subject matter experts (SMEs) in driving small business success and the ability to scale.

Recent data confirms that SMEs are crucial to the success and growth of small businesses, both now and in the future. As the business landscape becomes increasingly complex and competitive, SMEs provide the expertise and innovation needed to succeed and grow. According to a 2021 report by Harvard Business Review, small businesses with a team of SMEs are more likely to succeed and scale than those without. SMEs bring specialized knowledge and skills to the table, enabling us to offer tailored solutions to our clients. This, in turn, leads to higher levels of client satisfaction and repeat business, driving growth and profitability. In addition, a 2020 LinkedIn survey found that 80% of business owners believe SMEs are highly valued and critical to their business.

SMEs can also drive innovation and creativity by staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices. They have the ability to identify new opportunities and develop innovative solutions to problems, which for HIP, helps us provide our signature “HIP Advantage.” This is particularly important in today's fast-paced business environment, where the ability to innovate and adapt quickly is essential to success.

In observance of National Small Business Week (NSBW), HIP is highlighting a few of our SMEs that work on our projects.

Ms. Anna Cron has worked with teachers, administrators, district officials, and NGOs to get resources from urban areas into rural areas. Anna worked with Youth Frontiers, facilitating character-building retreats and as a Spanish Instructor before joining the Peace Corps to promote Spanish literacy. Collaborating with the Ministries of Women and Education, Anna conducted gender equality in-service training and a conference, training 163 individuals on methodology. After two years, the Peace Corps offered Anna a position as a Volunteer Leader to create and facilitate training, identify communities in need, coordinate living and workplaces, organize professional development conferences, and process monthly reports and project grants.

Mr. Damon Jones has 20 years of relevant workforce development and project management experience, including four years of experience providing oversight and technical assistance (TA) for the development of Registered Apprenticeship programs. His experience managing three private-sector workforce grants, with a combined value of $10M, allows him to bring a deep understanding of the Intermediaries’ needs and TA requirements. He also understands the process of engaging with businesses and the community. His previous work involved supporting small business growth and expansion while curating a multi-million dollar commercial real estate portfolio in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Mr. Mike Laidlaw, of SKL Associates LLC, has over 36 years of organizational and consulting experience in diverse sectors/industries, including: military, education, import-export, transportation, non-profit, and government entities – federal, state and city. As a leader in human resources for large and small companies, he has changed the department and organizational culture from transactional and bureaucratic to results-oriented problem solvers. As a Career and Executive Coach, he helps individuals obtain their professional goals, and executives improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their organizations through proven systems and leadership development.

Ms. Yolanda Tully has an extensive 28-year tenure in workforce development, specializing in programming and managing multi-partner collaborations. Most notably, she has worked on initiatives with the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, the City of Gaithersburg, Maryland, the Maryland Department of Labor, the New York State Department of Labor, New York State Department of Social Services, New York City Department of Human Resources, the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Montgomery County Council, and the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development, including several national grants with the U.S. Department of Labor. Ms. Tully has overseen local, state, and federal grant programs, and has extensive management experience with national nonprofit organizations.