Chapter 5: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS
5.2.13 Implementation
Recommendations of policies and programmes could be implemented at the three tiers of Government: national level (Department of Trade and Industry), provincial level (Small, Medium & Micro Enterprises Desk), and local municipal level (Local Economic Development). This will ensure that there is a high level of commitment from all role players. Rather than just implementing policies passed by national
98
structures, all stakeholders should participate in the design of policies. For the solution to be holistic, the private sector as well as the business chambers of commerce need to be involved in both the strategic as well as the implementation processes.
5.3. CONCLUSION
In this research paper, Chapter 1 focused on the introduction of the study and brief literature on entrepreneurship. The chapter looked at the problem statement with the objective of answering the main problem and sub problems. In order to develop a research strategy to deal with and solve the main problem, the following questions were identified:
Why are entrepreneurial skills necessary for emerging black entrepreneurs? How can emerging black entrepreneurs utilize their entrepreneurial skills to develop competitive advantage? Does the Western Cape need to build competitive and sustainable businesses? What entrepreneurial skills do the current black entrepreneurs have? What can be done to facilitate skill develop amongst emerging black
entrepreneurs? How can the results obtained from the resolution of the above sub-problems be integrated in entrepreneurial skills for emerging black entrepreneurs in the Western Cape?
The findings from this research identified specific entrepreneurial success skills needed by emerging entrepreneurs in the Western Cape.
Chapter 2 focused on a detailed literature review, which highlighted that, for emerging entrepreneurs in the Western Cape to be successful and build sustainable businesses, the following entrepreneurial skills need to be mastered.
financial management skills marketing and sales skills communication skills self-motivation skills
99 time management skills
Chapter 3 dealt with the research design and the data collection method, namely, the questionnaire.
Chapter 4 presented and analyzed the results emanating from the questionnaire responses. These were presented as statistics on the economic sector most represented by emerging entrepreneurs in the Western Cape, their average age, gender, qualification and skills levels, the challenges they faced, as well as the personal characteristics that exemplify these entrepreneurs.
100 APPENDIX A
Quantitative Research Questionnaire
Ezekiel Vilakazi MBA Student
NMMU Business School Tel: 072 6277 114
Fax: 086 615 9893 e-mail:
Dear Sir/Madam,
SUCCESS SKILLS: A STUDY OF EMERGING BLACK ENTREPRENEURS IN THE WESTERN CAPE – A Research Project
Kindly complete the attached questionnaire and send it to me at the above address after completion.
I am undertaking a study on an evaluation of entrepreneurial skills needed by emerging black entrepreneurs in the Western Cape as a university programme in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Business Administration that I am doing with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
All replies are treated in the strictest confidence and the information will be used solely for our research and no other purpose.
As such it will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. I appreciate the time and commitment invested on your part. A summary of the findings will be sent to all interested respondents once completed.
Please submit your response via fax to 086 615 9893 or via e-mail to [email protected] before or on 30 September 2011. If you have any
101
queries about the questionnaire or the research project in general, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above details.
I look forward to receiving your response.
Yours sincerely
Ezekiel Vilakazi MBA STUDENT
102
THIS SECTION ASKS FOR PERSONAL PARTICULARS. Please supply the following information.
1.1 In which town in the Western Cape is your organization situated?
TOWN MARK WITH X TOWN MARK WITH X
Cape Town 1 Stellenbosch 6
Knysna 2 Hermanus 7
George 3 Franschhoek 8
Bellville 4 Central Karoo 9
Mossel Bay 5 Other 10
1.2 Indicate the number of employees in your organization. NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES MARK WITH X
1-20 01 21-40 02 41-60 03 61-80 04 81-100 05 101-150 06 151-200 07 200+ 08
1.3. In which sector of the economy does your organization operate?
ECONOMIC SECTOR MARK WITH X
Manufacturing 01 Wholesale 02 Retail 03 Service provider 04 Utility provider 05 Other 06
103 1.4. Please indicate your race?
RACE MARK WITH X
Black 01
Coloured 02
Indian 03
Other 04
1.5. Which business unit within your organization do you belong to?
BUSINESS UNIT MARK WITH X
Finance 01 Commercial 02 Services 03 Manufacturing 04 Projects 05 Human Resources 06 Other 07
1.6. Which option best describes your responsibility within your department?
FUNCTION MARK WITH X
Partner / Owner 01 Director 02 Financial manager 03 Senior buyer 04 Buyer analyst 05 Financial analyst 06 Financial clerk 07 Buyer 08 Other 09
104 1.7. What is your gender?
Male 01
Female 02
1.8. For how many years have you been an entrepreneur?
Less than 1 year 01
1-5 years 02
6-10 years 03
1.9 How many years have you been running your own business?
Less than 1 year 01
1-5 years 02
6-10 years 03
1.10 To which age group do you belong?
20-30 years 01
31-40 years 02
41-50 years 03
Above 50 years 04
1.11. What is your level of education?
National Diploma 01
Degree 02
Honors Degree 03
Master’s degree 04
Other – Specify 05
1.12. Did your training include entrepreneurship?
Yes 01
105
THIS SECTION SEEKS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS NEEDED BY EMERGING ENTREPRENUERS.
2.1. Please define what is an entrepreneur?
2.2. Do you think emerging black entrepreneurs in the Western Cape lack success entrepreneurial skills?
Yes [ ] No [ ]
2.3. Give reasons to support your answer on 2.2 above.
2.4. Name 5 entrepreneurial skills you think emerging black entrepreneurs in the Western Cape need.
1. 2.
3. 4. 5.
2.5. Give reasons to support your answer on 2.4 above
2.6. Check the column that best describes your skill level (mark with X). SECTION B - ENTREPRENUERIAL SKILSS
106 Skill Not Developed Beginner Quite Capable Very Capable Financial management
(I know how to manage cash flow and how to read a bottom line)
Marketing (selling)
(I know how to sell and can describe what selling involves)
Communication (writing)
(I produce accurate, clear, error-free writing)
Communication (oral)
(I speak and present clearly and effectively)
Self-motivation
(I set priorities and organize to achieve them)
Time management
(I get more value out of my time)
THIS SECTION SEEKS TO ASCERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF ENTREPRENUERS
3.1 . What characteristics do you think an entrepreneur should have?
3.2. Rate the following characteristics of an entrepreneur according to the ways you view them (in order of importance to you from 1-13)
Are decisive decision makers
107 Enjoy taking charge.
Want to be master of their financial destiny Are organized, independent and self-confident Are hard workers.
Creative and Innovative Vision
Come from a small business background. Can take criticism and rejection.
Have specialized business ability from experience or education
Are determined and persistent.
Can see how all the parts fit together. Calculated risk taking
THIS SECTION SEEKS TO IDENTIFY CHALLENGES FACING EMERGING ENTREPRENEURS IN THE WESTERN CAPE?
4.1. What are the challenges facing emerging entrepreneurs in the Western Cape?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE IN THIS RESEARCH.
108
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