This major report and toolkit offers BDS providers and funders guidance to implement evidence-based practices that boost small business growth and job creation.
There is growing evidence that the growth of small and growing businesses (SGBs) can be spurred by business development services (BDS). But how BDS is provided is critical to its success.
Five fundamental considerations, acronymised as SCALE, have emerged that drive effectiveness. This report shows that even quite simple changes of approach can yield significant benefits to entrepreneurial growth. Together with an accompanying toolkit, it offers both BDS providers and funders guidance on how to implement dimensions of SCALE, proven to increase effectiveness, and as a result, boost SGBs revenues and job creation.
The report has four sections:
1. Summarises the evidence and introduces SCALE
2. Details each aspect of SCALE, presents the evidence, highlights good practices, and offers guidance on how to implement
3. Presents six case studies of top performing BDS providers, exemplifying different SCALE considerations
4. Provides tools and resources to help funders and BDS providers integrate SCALE considerations.
The toolkit includes:
- A one-pager – for quick reference
- A diagnostic tool – for funders to assess and support BDS Providers, and for BDS providers to self-assess against proven practices and identify opportunities
- A reflection tool – to facilitate reflection and discussion on good practices and areas for improvement
- Additional resources – to support particular practices
An executive summary introduces and provides an overview of the report.
