PCF5:
Small Business Development and Export Guidance
The Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning Wiki
A collaborative space to draft and talk about contributions to the Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum (PCF5)
Abstract
The definition of a ‘small business’ varies across the world, but irrespective of the definition, small businesses make up a significant component of the number of businesses in many countries. In New Zealand there are an estimated 300,000 small businesses (defined as employing < 20 people). SMEs accounted for 39% of the economy's total output, and yet the training and development of their principals and staff is often limited, and certainly insufficient for them to expand and grow both internally and internationally (only around 11,000 are involved in export).
The inherent difficulty in trying to work with such disparate industries, to get a consensus of opinion as to how best to up-skill and develop potential meant that an new approaches for ODL had to be considered.
In order to meet the need for improved effectiveness in small businesses, and in particular to help them to assess their export capability, an innovative approach to the development of a curriculum has been used by The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand in the creation of a course entitled “Certificate in Entrepreneurship (Export) or “CertEnEx” ”.
This includes an web based diagnostic tool to assist businesses determine their capability levels in six key areas with experienced mentors working alongside. It is supported with online discussions, including invited input from industry professionals. This is an innovation from The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development
This paper outlines the principles underlying the demand for this course, and how it has been developed in conjunction with industry and government to meet the needs of New Zealand small businesses. The paper also identifies a generic approach which is drawn from the New Zealand case, which can be applied in any country in which there are small businesses wishing to grow both internally and internationally.
The particular skills offered by CEED in support of small business generally are described together with a concept for the transposition of the ‘CEED’ concept to other natural business networks.
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Work in progress, expect frequent changes. Help and feedback is welcome. See discussion page. |
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The Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning Wiki
A collaborative space to draft and talk about contributions to the Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum (PCF5)
Abstract
Small Business Development and Export Guidance
The definition of a ‘small business’ varies across the world, but irrespective of the definition, small businesses make up a significant component of the number of businesses in many countries. In New Zealand there are an estimated 300,000 small businesses (defined as employing < 5 people). SMEs accounted for 39% of the economy's total output, and yet the training and development of their principals and staff is often limited, and certainly insufficient for them to expand and grow both internally and internationally (only around 11,000 are involved in export).
In order to meet the need for improved effectiveness in small businesses, and in particular to helpt them to assess their export capability, an innovative approach to the development of a curriculum has been used by The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand in the creation of a course entitled “Certificate in Entrepreneurship (Export) or “CerteNeX” ”.
This includes an web based diagnostic tool to assist businesses determine their capability levels in six key areas with experienced mentors working alongside. It is supported with online discussions, including invited input from industry professionals. This is an innovation from The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development
This paper outlines the principles underlying the demand for this course, and how it has been developed in conjunction with industry and government to meet the needs of New Zealand small businesses. The paper also identifies a generic approach which is drawn from the New Zealand case, which can be applied in any country in which there are small businesses wishing to grow both internally and internationally.
The particular skills offered by CEED in support of small business generally are described together with a concept for the transposition of the ‘CEED’ concept to other natural business networks.
[category:PCF5]
