Support Services for Micro, Small and Sole Proprietors Businesses

This report aims to find out whether existing services answer the needs of the smallest businesses. Its purpose is to:

• Provide a comprehensive overview of existing national and local support services tailored to the needs of micro, small and sole proprietor's businesses (MSSPB);
• Analyze the needs of European MSSPB with regard to the organization, promotion, content and delivery of support services;
• Improve the supply of support to MSSPB.

The paper:

• Defines support services;
• Explains the methodology of the study;
• Lists the following findings about MSSPB:
  • Creating awareness of support services is an important aim for support policy in the future;
  • Support services should be targeted specifically at MSSPB needs;
  • Client-orientation has to be a fundamental principle of support service provision.
  • Participation in support services is low,
  • Women, educated and growth-oriented entrepreneurs make most use of these services,
  • There is a need for an outside view of needs,
  • There is a lack of awareness of support services,
  • The demand for specific types of services differs according to location
  • The proprietors give preference to direct contact with service providers,
  • They think global, but act local,
  • They need more tailor-made support and targeted services,
  • They are not satisfied with the level of understanding of service providers.

The report ends with the following conclusions:

• Creating awareness of support services is an important aim for support policy in the future;
• Support services should be targeted specifically at MSSPB needs;
• Client-orientation has to be a fundamental principle of support service provision.