Arranging events for entrepreneurs: Waste of money or value for money

Abstract

The development of the entrepreneurs of a country is regarded as central to the creation of jobs and the upliftment of communities. All countries have associations and institutions that focus on the development of small business and the assisting of entrepreneurs to grow and develop their businesses. In the USA, EU, Asia and South America, governments are investing huge amounts of money in the development of an entrepreneurial spirit, and to especially stimulate young entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. Many offer the standard services of seminars, workshops, special events, brochures, and mentoring but little research has been done to establish whether these interventions are useful and helpful to entrepreneurs. Research generally focuses on the training needs of entrepreneurs, the profile of entrepreneurs, SMME needs and so forth. It is seldom that specific events are evaluated to determine whether they meet the needs of entrepreneurs and if the entrepreneurs found some benefit from it or not. The aim of this research study was to establish if entrepreneurs felt they received some benefit from these interventions or not. It was found that entrepreneurs do find these events beneficial and that their needs and expectations are met. More than 71% of entrepreneurs were of the opinion that such events do meet their needs. It is however suggested that these types of events be more specific on what they will present, such as how to apply for finance, the processes involved in starting a business and conducting market research.