Mina makes the most of human‐resource management : Mini‐market switches from competing on price to competing on service

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe how strategic human resource management has transformed the fortunes of three Greek micro‐enterprises. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explains the problems faced by Mina mini‐market, Franco leather manufacturing and Yiannis Hair Care, and how they overcame them. Findings – The paper highlights the key role that training can play in improving product quality and customer service and setting a struggling company back on the track to success. Practical implications – The paper reveals that training can go hand in hand with new bonus schemes, employee empowerment and better conditions of employment. Social implications – The paper details a number of approaches that small companies can adopt to help them to survive in a challenging economic context. Originality/value – The paper recounts how three Greek micro‐businesses have achieved organizational change against the background of difficult economic circumstances.