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Is there a need for structured learning?
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We believe that structured formal learning does have a valuable role to play in accelerating business growth in the micro and small business sector. Structured learning opportunities can provide a means by which knowledge and skills acquired through one's own experiences can be validated by and build upon the experience of others. It is the means by which best practice methods can be dispersed, analysed and used as a discussion point to stimulate individual business development. Effectively incorporating this 'scaffolding' approach into business and personal development can accelerate change and development and avoid time wasteful 'reinvention of the wheel' or trial and error type activities.
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Kilpatrick and Crowly (1999) note there is evidence that businesses which actively engage in skill and knowledge development are more likely to be successful. To support this Holmes, MacLean and Coughlin (1996) note that those who have successfully managed to overcome the difficulties associated with formal training do find it beneficial, evidenced by the fact that 85% of their respondents who had undertaken some form of training in the previous 12 months intended to pursue further training in the coming 12 months.
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Lambing and Kuehl (1997), argue that all small business owners are likely to need to pursue skills development and personal growth due to the very nature of business growth. They argue that early on in the life of a business the 'entrepreneur' will require task skills upon which the business is based. Financial, planning and business management skills will need to be added if the business is a success and as employees are recruited leadership, motivation and communication skill will become crucial. So, in a typical cycle of business development which takes account of market driven development needs, a person building a small business is likely to need to learn and develop.
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