New Delhi, June 22 (IANS) Nearly 78 per cent of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) now rank operational efficiency as their top priority for the year ahead, outpacing revenue growth and customer acquisition, a report said on Monday.

India’s MSMEs are rewriting their growth playbook, the report from CyberMedia Research (CMR) said, as 71 per cent prioritised revenue growth and 64 per cent named customer acquisition as top priority.

The report revealed that MSMEs are undertaking a strategic focus shift toward productivity, resource optimisation and operational resilience.

It further highlighted that digital transformation (58 per cent) and cost optimisation (57 per cent) are moving in tandem, highlighting a growing effort to leverage technology to achieve stronger business outcomes.

As MSMEs prepare for the next phase of transformation, 55 per cent are looking at AI adoption, while 52 per cent are strengthening cybersecurity preparedness, highlighting a balanced focus on innovation and resilience.

“While revenue growth and customer acquisition remain relevant objectives, MSMEs are placing greater emphasis on productivity, resource optimisation, and building long-term competitiveness in an uncertain environment,” said Prabhu Ram, VP – Industry Research Group (IRG), CyberMedia Research (CMR).

Prabhu Ram emphasised that structured, assessment-led approaches are helping MSMEs match their specific business gaps to the right enterprise solutions – spanning connectivity, cloud, cybersecurity, and digital tools – turning strategic intent into measurable outcomes on the ground.

“While MSMEs increasingly recognise the value of digital transformation, translating intent into execution remains a challenge. Budget constraints, skills gaps, cybersecurity concerns, and uncertainty around technology choices continue to slow the pace of adoption for many businesses,” the report noted.

Around 26 per cent of MSMEs cited a lack of internal digital expertise, while 20 per cent struggled to identify the right technology solutions.

Nearly 6 per cent of MSMEs pointed to a lack of trusted advisory support, underscoring the challenges MSMEs face in navigating an increasingly complex technology landscape.

—IANS

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