Sage CEO Stephen Kelly has blasted global financial leaders for not caring enough about small businesses.
Speaking at Sage Summit 2016 in Chicago, Kelly told 15000 of Sage's customers: "Watch the news. It's all big business. Look at global financial summits like Davos hundreds of privileged old men jumping on private jets to glamorous resorts where they pontificate and nothing changes. And where are you guys? Shut out.
"Not on the agenda, not on the ski slopes back home running your business, working flat out. The issues holding our customers back about are pretty much the same around the world. It's about red tape, bureaucracy, stupid legislation, outdated taxes, finding the right talent and skills. And the fuel of growth, cash flow," he continued.
"We don't need outdated global gatherings of big business lobby groups and policy makers. We need real reform on these issues that hold you back and burden your business. We want to use our voice to get you that reform."
Earlier this year Kelly accepted an invitation from former Prime Minister, David Cameron, to act as his business ambassador on the proviso that he could also act as a representative of SMBs.
In the US, the exec said Sage had taken the temperature of entrepreneurs "and found that over half of you are dissatisfied with the current political landscape. You used words like disgusted. Discouraged. Disappointed."
He said the company will be calling presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton to account to help small businesses, as well as running a series of event in the US to help businesses understand what both the Democrats and Republicans will do for Sage's customers.
-
Should AI PCs be part of your next hardware refresh?AI PCs are fast becoming a business staple and a surefire way to future-proof your business
-
Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI launch brace of new channel initiativesNews Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI have announced the launch of two new channel growth initiatives focused on the managed security service provider (MSSP) space and AWS Marketplace.
-
CyberCX appoints Phil Mason as new UK CEONews Industry veteran will lead CyberCX’s growth efforts in the UK
-
How to choose an HR systemWhitepaper What IT leaders need to know
-
WANdisco's CEO and CFO resign amid ongoing fraud investigationsNews The data firm is left with a heavily depleted leadership team with only one executive director remaining
-
Stop worshipping CEOs – tech is a team sportOpinion Tech leaders are showing themselves for who they are, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise
-
Checkmarx appoints Sandeep Johri as its new CEONews Experienced Silicon Valley executive will lead the applications security provider into its next phase of growth
-
Trustmarque hires NTT Data’s UK lead as its new CEONews Simon Williams will lead the IT solutions and services provider into its next phase of growth
-
Cognizant appoints former Infosys president Ravi Kumar as CEONews The executive brings more than 20 years of experience in the consulting, process, and technology transformation space
-
What tech investors can learn from three under-fire CEOsAnalysis With clear lessons to learn from the high-profile cases of Autonomy, Theranos, and Wirecard, investors should tread carefully in future
