Michigan Small Business Development Center/State Office
The SBDC Futures Project
The SBDC Futures Project was an examination of the changing nature of economic-development policy and funding as well as a prescription for positioning the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program to anticipate and adapt to the changing environment. Completed in the fall of 1993, the project included an analysis of trends in state and federal economic-development policy, a review of SBDC impact on high-priority customers, and research on the business-development needs of such firms. Also examined were potential new sources of funding and alternative economic-impact measures that might better reflect the true value of the SBDC. Methodologies utilized by PPA included a statewide series of focus groups, interviews with state and federal officials, and secondary analyses of several client databases. The result of the project was a picture of the SBDC of the future, emphasizing sharper focus, deeper knowledge, more aggressive outreach, and innovative services.
Oregon Economic and Development Department
Oregon Small Business Services Evaluation
The Oregon Small Business Services Evaluation was a thorough examination of the effectiveness of six business assistance programs as well as the state's overall system for addressing small business-assistance needs. With a desire to improve coherence, coordination, effectiveness, and efficiency of its small business efforts, the Oregon Economic Development Department commissioned PPA to assess current trends and policies. Using five distinct research methodologies, PPA examined the small business climate and the economic impact of the targeted programs. PPA surveyed client and nonclient firms to determine their recent business performance, business-development needs, and experiences with publicly supported programs. The sample of nearly 500 firms was stratified by industry, size, and urban/rural location of the firm. Findings addressed both the overall business needs of Oregon small businesses and the ability of state-supported programs to address those needs. The report included a comprehensive new structure and action plan for providing effective business-development assistance in Oregon. Results were reported by PPA to the Oregon Legislature in testimony before the Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Development.
Michigan Small Business Development Center/State Office
The Michigan SBDC Client Satisfaction Survey
The Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC) contracted with PPA to investigate client satisfaction with and the impact of the services provided by its subcenters. Interviewing over 1,500 individuals drawn from the client lists of the 33 Small Business Development Centers statewide, PPA produced the most precise data ever available to the MI-SBDC. The compilation of data was divided into two parts: results aggregated for the entire MI-SBDC network, which included discussion of the variation among clusters and centers, and results for individual centers throughout the state. These results were used to improve the delivery of services and to market services more effectively.
Small Business Association of Michigan
Member Studies
In an effort to better understand the key issues of its member constituents, the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) engaged PPA to conduct surveys and focus groups involving members over a two-year period. The assessments included an analysis of the perceived value of programs, communications, and benefits offered by the organization and helped shape the organizations strategic plan. This work greatly expanded upon the ongoing Small Business Barometer study that PPA conducts for SBAM and the Michigan Small Business Development Center four times a year. PPA continues to conduct various studies for SBAM.
Small Business Association of Michigan
Small Business Barometer
The award-winning Small Business Barometer is a unique cooperative effort between the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and the Center for Urban Studies at Wayne State University. The ongoing project was designed by PPA to track recent small business performance in Michigan and expectations for small business performance over the next year. It traces changes in attitudes within the small business community about government, taxes, regulations, small business services, political leaders, and various issues such as education reform. Each iteration of the Barometer requires surveying 200 small business owners and managers. It has been in progress now for over nine years, or 33 waves. The survey is conducted four times each year by PPA, and reports are given to SBAM to include in publications and on their Web site. More than 13,000 copies of the Small Business Barometer are distributed by SBAM to SBAM members, other small business owners, members of the Michigan Legislature and Congress, state government officials, and the news media. PPA staff also attend press conferences and other meetings to provide briefings and answer questions. In an effort to better understand the key issues of its member constituents, SBAM has also engaged PPA to conduct surveys and focus groups involving members as well as other short-term research projects and reports. The assessments have included an analysis of the perceived value of programs and SBAM’s communications including several rounds of focus groups; an examination of insurance benefits offered by the organization, which involved the analysis of over 900 surveys completed by insurance agents; and assistance with shaping the organizations strategic plan. This work greatly expanded upon the ongoing Small Business Barometer study that PPA conducts for SBAM four times a year. PPA continues to conduct various studies for SBAM.
Small Business Association of Michigan
Research
The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) retained PPA periodically over a period of nearly a decade to conduct research on the needs, interests, and perspectives of its members. The research took the form of focus groups and surveys, with topics including business advocacy, service expectations, and benchmarking SBAM against competitor organizations. Some elements of this research helped the association learn how to build relationships with insurance agents who serve as an important marketing channel for SBAM. The results of that work contributed directly to a reformulation of SBAM’s strategy for connecting effectively with agents. During this period, the association relied on PPA for virtually all of its research needs, using the firm as an external research department. Because of the long duration of the engagement, PPA was able to continually build on the knowledge gained in previous research to shape and inform the next project.
Michigan Office of Waste Reduction Services
Michigan Waste Exchange Demonstration Project
PPA was the successful bidder for The Michigan Waste Exchange Demonstration Project aimed at implementing a large-scale industrial waste exchange in order to facilitate the recycling of commercial waste into reusable materials and sponsored by the State of Michigan Office of Waste Reduction. In order to determine the course of the waste exchange, PPA conducted focus groups with manufacturing companies and surveyed existing waste exchanges across the country. An extensive literature review was also completed. Based on this research, PPA designed, developed, and implemented Resource Exchange Services (RES) as the vehicle through which the project would be operated. PPA developed all marketing and promotional materials for RES, creating a highly visible and innovative new service for Michigan businesses and organizations to utilize in order to decrease waste. RES employed an innovative approach to matching waste material generators with potential users of these wastes. Implementation included development of an extensive computer database to facilitate waste exchange matches. The project report serves as a model for others who may attempt to develop similar services. In addition, it provides guidance to state policy makers who wish to support additional resource recovery activity.
Michigan Small Business Development Center/State Office
The Michigan Small Business Needs Assessment
The Michigan Small Business Needs Assessment was the most comprehensive analysis of the business service needs and preferences of small firms ever undertaken in Michigan. Commissioned by the Michigan Small Business Development Center at Wayne State University and Michigan State University, the study was unique in the nation in terms of its breadth and depth. It was designed to assist business service providers in understanding the way in which business survival and growth barriers affect their markets. The PPA team convened and facilitated a project advisory committee comprised of representatives of the client organizations, policy makers, and other key constituencies. PPA also worked very closely with the clients to ensure that the results of the study would be readily usable in reshaping and marketing their services. The project was extremely complex in that it included a variety of distinct elements and a very aggressive timeline. In addition to eight focus groups, this project entailed a survey of 1,800 business owners, an extensive literature review, and extended interviews with small-business leaders. The study targeted firms with up to 500 employees that were engaged in manufacturing, service, or retail activity. Utilizing state-of-the-art research and analysis techniques, PPA developed valuable new facts and perspectives pertinent to small business development in each of six regions across the state. The data generated by this evaluation was utilized extensively by the client to refine services and was still being used more than four years after the study was completed. The study provided our clients a clearer picture of the small business environment in Michigan and opportunities to serve their customers more effectively. Results were presented in briefings of the client organizations and extensive distribution of the project report as well as a series of briefings for economic-development officials, policy makers, and media in 14 communities across the state. PPA designed and produced all presentation materials, media releases, and events entailed in the aggressive outreach strategy.
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