Intelligent SME.tech Issue 69 | Page 36

// INDUSTRY INSIGHT //
Bret Tushaus, VP of Product Management, Deltek
Finally, connection is the last fundamental. Fragmented data and disconnected systems slow decision-making and create risk. An end-to-end platform that connects CRM, project management, resource planning and finance creates transparency across the full lifecycle. When business development, delivery and finance operate from the same dataset, collaboration improves and performance soon follows.
How emerging technology can foster sustainable growth
Applied purposefully, the adoption of emerging technologies can put firms on a strong footing. The right stack can become a strategic growth enabler that can scale with a firm, rather than becoming a bottleneck at a later date. Many firms recognise this imperative, with 27 % citing investing in new technologies as a top priority. But to scale effectively and sustainably, these technologies
Decision latency has become one of the biggest barriers to sustainable growth. The longer it takes to understand whether a project is drifting, resources are stretched or margins are under pressure, the harder it becomes to act before risk turns into reality.
Second, maintaining control is essential as teams expand and project scopes evolve. Scaling sustainably requires operational discipline, with structured resource management, consistent processes and integrated project accounting, ensuring that expansion strengthens delivery performance, rather than stretching it. Proper planning and forecasting help firms match capacity to demand and avoid the costly cycle of overbooking and underutilisation.
Third, cash resilience is another fundamental of sustainable growth. Expansion often intensifies cash flow pressure, particularly in architecture, engineering and consulting environments where projects span months or years. Aligning billing to milestones and tracking budgets against actual performance builds resilience into the business. With the right financial visibility, firms can invest in innovation and talent with confidence.
Fourth, client selectivity is an essential but often overlooked step. Firms should aim for quality over quantity, building strong relationships with trusted, reputable clients rather than pursuing every lead that comes their way. Clear positioning, disciplined bid selection and a focus on higher-margin, strategically aligned projects protect profitability. Tracking win rates and pipeline health ensures that effort is focused where it delivers the greatest return.
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