Small and medium-sized enterprises are an important part of the national economy and an important source of innovation vitality. According to the data of the National Bureau of statistics, by the end of 2022, the number of small and medium-sized enterprises in China has reached 35 million, accounting for 99.8 of all enterprises, providing 80% of jobs, creating 60% of GDP, contributing 50% of tax revenue, accounting for 70% of patent applications and 65% of technological innovation. Small and medium-sized enterprises have played an irreplaceable role in promoting economic growth, expanding employment, increasing income, promoting scientific and technological progress, and cultivating market players.

However, small and medium-sized enterprises are facing many difficulties and challenges, such as market competition, lack of funds, brain drain, backward technology, etc., resulting in insufficient innovation ability and difficult to achieve sustainable development. According to the survey of the China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, in 2022, the innovation vitality index of SMEs was 58., a decrease of 3.4 percentage points from 2019. Among them, the four dimensions of innovation willingness, innovation investment, innovation results, and innovation environment have all Decline to varying degrees. The innovation vitality index of small and medium-sized enterprises reflects the innovation ability and innovation effect of small and medium-sized enterprises, and is an important indicator to measure the level of innovation and development of small and medium-sized enterprises. The decline of the innovation vitality index of small and medium-sized enterprises shows that the innovation and development of small and medium-sized enterprises are facing a severe situation. It is necessary to take effective measures to enhance the innovation vitality of small and medium-sized enterprises, enhance their competitiveness and adaptability, and realize innovation-driven development.

This paper discusses how to stimulate the innovation vitality of small and medium-sized enterprises from the perspective of specialization and innovation, and puts forward the following suggestions:

1. define their own core competitiveness, focus on their areas of expertise, the formation of characteristics and advantages

If small and medium-sized enterprises want to survive and develop in the fierce market competition, they must find their own positioning, clarify their core competitiveness, focus on their own areas of expertise, and form characteristics and advantages. Core competence refers to the ability of an enterprise to create value continuously, which is unique and difficult to imitate in a certain field or aspect. Core competitiveness is the core assets of an enterprise, the soul of an enterprise, the lifeline of an enterprise, and the foundation of an enterprise. Small and medium-sized enterprises should determine their core competitiveness according to their own resources, capabilities, technology, market and other factors, concentrate their limited resources and energy on their core competitiveness, and constantly strengthen and improve their core competitiveness. make it become its own brand and logo, so as to stand out in the market, win the recognition and trust of customers, and improve its market share and profit margin.

2. constantly update their own knowledge and technology, keep pace with the times, the pursuit of novel and unique

If small and medium-sized enterprises want to improve their innovation vitality, they must constantly update their knowledge and technology, keep pace with the times, and pursue novelty and uniqueness. Knowledge and technology are the foundation and source of innovation, and are the driving force and guarantee of innovation. According to the changes of the market and the needs of users, small and medium-sized enterprises should constantly learn and master new knowledge and technology, improve their knowledge level and technical ability, enhance their innovative thinking and innovation ability, create new products, services, processes and models, meet the needs and expectations of the market, and improve their market competitiveness and innovation efficiency. Small and medium-sized enterprises should dare to break through traditional thinking and technology, dare to try new ideas and methods, pursue novelty and uniqueness, and form their own innovative style and characteristics, so as to gain differentiated advantages in the market, win the favor and love of users, and improve Own brand influence and loyalty.

3. actively participate in cooperation and exchanges, expand their own resources and networks, learn from the experience and creativity of others

If SMEs want to improve their innovative vitality, they must actively participate in cooperation and exchanges, expand their own resources and networks, and learn from the experience and creativity of others. Cooperation and exchanges are the ways and means of innovation, the driving force and catalyst of innovation. According to their own characteristics and needs, small and medium-sized enterprises should find suitable partners and exchange platforms, establish good cooperative relations and exchange mechanisms, share and integrate the resources, capabilities, technology, information, etc. of all parties, so as to achieve mutual benefit and common innovation. Improve the efficiency and quality of innovation. Small and medium-sized enterprises should humbly learn from the experience and creativity of others, broaden their horizons and ideas, stimulate their inspiration and creativity, and create more valuable and meaningful innovation results.

4. the establishment of innovative culture and mechanism, encourage the creative thinking and behavior of employees, improve the efficiency and quality of innovation

If small and medium-sized enterprises want to improve their innovation vitality, they must establish innovation culture and mechanism, encourage employees' creative thinking and behavior, and improve innovation efficiency and quality. Innovation culture and mechanism are the atmosphere and guarantee of innovation, and the driving force and guidance of innovation. According to their own characteristics and goals, small and medium-sized enterprises should establish their own innovation culture and mechanism, create an environment conducive to innovation, formulate a system conducive to innovation, encourage a team conducive to innovation, cultivate a temperament conducive to innovation, and form a habit conducive to innovation. Small and medium-sized enterprises should encourage employees' creative thinking and behavior, provide employees with enough freedom and space, provide employees with sufficient support and rewards, and provide employees with timely feedback and guidance, so as to improve employees' enthusiasm and initiative in innovation and improve innovation Efficiency and quality.

Conclusion

Small and medium-sized enterprises are an important part of the national economy and an important source of innovation vitality. In order to improve their innovation vitality and realize innovation-driven development, small and medium-sized enterprises should take the following measures from the perspective of specialization and innovation: first, to clarify their core competitiveness, focus on the areas they are good at, and form their own characteristics and advantages; second, to constantly update their own knowledge and technology, keep pace with the times, and pursue novelty and uniqueness; third, to actively participate in cooperation and exchanges, and expand their own resources and networks, learn from the experience and creativity of others; the fourth is to establish an innovative culture and mechanism, encourage employees' creative thinking and behavior, and improve the efficiency and quality of innovation. Through specialized and new strategies, SMEs can improve their competitiveness and adaptability, win market recognition and respect, and achieve sustainable development.