Industry, regardless of size, needs information on all aspects of enterprise management – markets, processes, technology, finance, human resource management. As a small businessman, you may have felt frustrated at one time or another by the seeming inaccessibility of needed information. The problem, however, may not lie with the availability of information but rather with knowing where to source it and how to extract the exact information required.
One of the most useful resources for small businessmen are government agencies, private organizations, industry chambers, embassies and legations, bankers, accountants and lawyers (not to mention libraries and the Internet).
There are three basic ways you seek information: by going online, by using the telephone (some agencies have telephone hot lines), and by visiting the agency for a face to face consultation.
Face-to-face may usually be preferred because it enables you to specify what you need and ask probing questions and get referrals to other sources of information.
Let’s say you have identified a government agency, say a government bank, as a source of information that you need for your financing difficulties. Do you just go there without preparation?
For any information-seeking situation, you need to follow guidelines to help you save time, effort and money, and lead you to the information you need.
The following may be useful:
- Know your problem – First of all, clearly define your problem. Study your problem closely because it may not be the only problem that requires solution. Be specific. For example, if your problem is financial, ascertain whether you really need credit or financial management skills and systems. If you really need credit, is it to buy raw materials? New machines? Pay your people?
- Know how to ask a question – State your question in such a way that it is short, simple and direct to the point. People you consult with are often as busy as you are. The faster your communicate with each other, the more time is saved and the more promptly information and assistance are given and received.
- Disclose– If you want to get precise answers to your questions, you need to be frank and start trusting your adviser.
- Develop good relations with information sources – Remember that the success of your business will depend a lot on how you deal with people around you. One or more of these people may serve as your source of information and assistance. Do not be disappointed if you do not get all the information you need during your first visit. Be prepared to go back.
- Make an appointment before going for consultation.
- Pay attention to developments in technology, business and industry – As a businessman who always works for the success of his firm, you need complete up-to-date information which newspapers, business and trade magazines, and online sites can provide. It will be advisable to subscribe to some of these.
However, by far the best way to get information and assistance you need is attending business seminars and workshops that are generally low cost, led by experts in their field, held in welcoming environments with like-minded business people, supported by handouts of interactive workbooks, and backed up by action learning. Be sure however to exercise due diligence and ascertain that the seminar or workshop you will enroll in provides a good match to your information and training needs. That will need another information-seeking exercise.
The UP ISSI and SERDEF regularly hold business seminars and forums, like start-your-own business training and the manager’s course for small and medium enterprises.
Remember, information-seeking is one of the hallmarks of the true-blue entrepreneur.
Photo: from www.farm1.static.flickrcom
