78% of Indian MSMEs Prioritize Operational Efficiency Over Expansion: CMR Study

78% of Indian MSMEs Prioritize Operational Efficiency Over Expansion: CMR Study

Picture of Prabhu Ram, Vice President – Industry Research Group (IIG)

Prabhu Ram, Vice President – Industry Research Group (IIG)

  • 71% of MSMEs cite revenue growth, while 64% prioritize customer acquisition as key objectives.
  • 62% of MSMEs recognize Vi Business #ReadyForNext as India’s largest digital advisory programme.
  • 83% of MSMEs who completed the Vi Business #ReadyForNext assessment report measurable benefits from its recommended solutions.

Gurugram/Delhi, 22 June 2026. India’s MSMEs are rewriting their growth playbook. A new study by CyberMedia Research (CMR) finds that nearly eight in ten MSMEs (78%) now rank operational efficiency as their top business priority for the year ahead — outpacing revenue growth (71%) and customer acquisition (64%).

The findings suggest MSMEs are shifting focus toward improving productivity, optimizing resources, and strengthening operational resilience in a dynamic business environment. Structured digital advisory support is emerging as a key enabler in this shift. 76% of digitally aware MSMEs actively seek digital advisory guidance.

Against this backdrop, 83% of MSMEs who completed the Vi Business #ReadyForNext assessment report measurable benefits from its recommended solutions, reflecting how structured assessment can convert strategic intent into outcomes. 62% of MSMEs further recognize Vi Business #ReadyForNext as India’s largest digital advisory programme, pointing to strong and growing market awareness of assessment-led approaches to digital transformation.

Commenting on the study findings, Prabhu Ram, VP – Industry Research Group (IRG), CyberMedia Research (CMR), “Operational efficiency has clearly overtaken traditional expansion metrics as the dominant focus, signalling a move toward a more mature and resilient phase of growth. While revenue growth and customer acquisition remain relevant objectives, MSMEs are placing greater emphasis on productivity, resource optimization, and building long-term competitiveness in an uncertain environment. What stands out is how 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 recognize 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.

Key Study Findings:

  • Digital transformation (58%) and cost optimization (57%) are moving in tandem for MSMEs, highlighting a growing effort to leverage technology to achieve stronger business outcomes.
  • As MSMEs prepare for the next phase of transformation, (55%) are looking at AI adoption while (52%) are strengthening cybersecurity preparedness, highlighting a balanced focus on innovation and resilience.
  • 26% of MSMEs cite lack of internal digital expertise, while (20%) struggle to identify the right technology solutions; (6%) point to lack of trusted advisory support, underscoring the challenges MSMEs face in navigating an increasingly complex technology landscape.
  • 83% of MSMEs who completed the Vi Business #ReadyForNext assessment report measurable benefits from its recommended solutions, underscoring how structured assessment can convert strategic intent into outcomes.
  • Among MSMEs that adopted Vi Business’s recommended solutions following the #ReadyForNext assessment, 87% report reduced downtime and fewer operational disruptions.

“A clear pattern emerges around execution-level challenges. Shortages in internal digital skills and difficulty identifying the right technology fit remain key constraints. These gaps highlight where structured advisory support can deliver the greatest value as MSMEs move from strategic intent to actual implementation,” added Sugandha Srivastava, Senior Analyst, Industry Consulting Group (ICG), CyberMedia Research (CMR).

About the Study:

CyberMedia Research (CMR) conducted a comprehensive pan-India survey covering over 400 MSMEs across key sectors, including Financial Services, Retail, IT / ITeS, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Telecom, Professional Services and others.

The study was designed with a 95% confidence level and a statistical margin of error of ±3%, ensuring robust and reliable insights into MSME perceptions across diverse demographic segments.