Entrepreneurial skill development and how best to assist entrepreneurs: Policy implications for enterprise *development practice

The main objective of enterprise development is to provide assistance to local entrepreneurs in order to create significant economic benefits for local communities. However, there is a lack of sound policy in the enterprise development field. Many current enterprise development programs are based on the provision of standard business training that utilizes passive transference of knowledge.;This research reveals that the process of skill development is transformational in nature and requires active participation on the part of the entrepreneur. Successful learning begins with critical self-reflection that highlights important strengths and weaknesses of the entrepreneur. Another major resource for entrepreneurs is relationships with peers, which contain significant potential resources: learning from others, peer coaching, feedback and advice from experienced peers that confirms the relevance of their own experiences and provides opportunities to help others and to give back to the community.;It is suggested that two conditions must be met to assist entrepreneurs. First, service providers need to understand and address entrepreneurs' needs and skills. The assessment of the entrepreneurs' skill is essential to providing adequate assistance to entrepreneurs. Enterprise development practitioners should focus on developing relevant skills of entrepreneurs rather than on a standard educational approach.;A second condition for improved enterprise assistance is the creation of a supportive entrepreneurial environment and facilitation of networking among entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs share similar experiences without regard to the different natures of their businesses. The findings of this research suggest that enterprise development support should assume responsibility for assisting entrepreneurs to learn and develop. This assistance should target specific needs of individual entrepreneurs rather than businesses. Effective enterprise development is the development of human capital.;Current research suggests that entrepreneurs learn in a principally different way. This research inquires if and how entrepreneurs develop their skills. The present study provides evidence of the development of entrepreneurial skills by entrepreneurs who are assisted by personal coaching and peer groups.