SMU Assistant Professor of Marketing (Practice) Marcus Lee commented on how SMEs in the service sector could improve on areas such as manpower, efficiency, productivity and customer satisfaction. He concluded that on the national level, a long-term solution to these manpower problems would be to increase the attractiveness of careers in the service sector among the local population, possibly through the use of branding campaigns, platforms for recognition, and increased opportunities for career development. These activities should not be the sole responsibility of the government. Businesses would also have to play a part, especially with career development.