Why was Springboard developed?

Research has shown that only about 20% to 30% of home-based, micro and small business operators genuinely want to grow their businesses. We have found that a larger proportion are keen on growing their profits, but do not have enough business planning skills to do so. The remaining 70% to 80% of business operators seem generally happy with their current situation, whether it is for lifestyle, business, family or other reasons.  This majority, though, usually complain they are ‘too busy’, especially if their business is successful, and we have seen more businesses struggle to manage growth than struggle to find customers.

The two important segments of the home based, micro and small business market are those that want to grow, and those struggling to manage increasing sales.  Both these segments are ripe for business development skills delivered in the right way. And with better skills they can generate additional wealth and employment for their proprietors and their communities, especially with more sensible regulations.

Growing a business relies upon good business planning, integrated into the management of a business. This is not the same as preparing business plan to obtain a loan, but requires an attitude that welcomes evaluation and continuous improvement.

All too often home based business are too caught up working in the business to ever work on the business, to use the language of Michael Gerber’s E-Myth publications.

Research into how small and home based businesses learn shows that peer to peer learning is paramount; learning from trusted networks, as opposed to more formal learning mechanisms.