Small-business managers need more training with financial management and technology to cope with both the economic slowdown and the eventual recovery, new research shows.
Survey respondents said that small business owners needed to improve their skills on information technology (31 per cent), financial management (17 per cent) and marketing (15 per cent), telecommunications company Optus said in its national research.
Optus marketing director for small and medium business Phil Offer said 53 per cent of owners/managers did not undertake any skills training.
"We know this sector is really time poor and they are manically running their businesses," Mr Offer said.
"Yet, there is a perception that over a quarter of them feel they have to do six hours of training a month."
Mr Offer said computing skills was the most desired area, with 31 per cent of owners wanting to improve their information technology skills.
"Many have the idea of what they want, but they just don't know to get the IT working and bring their costs down."
"The integration of IT and the web is really one of the core areas where they need more help."
Mr Offer, a former accountant, said 30 per cent of respondents found financial management was the area they enjoyed least in running their business, while 19 per cent said it was their weakest business skill.
"As we go through these economic times, it is going to be more key that they do that," Mr Offer said.
"As a telecommunications company, we can provide them how to cut their telco costs."
Accountants were the most sort after source of business advice, 71 per cent, followed by online, 39 per cent, and media, 35 per cent.
Small businesses preferred personal contact, hence the high rating for accountants for advice, Mr Offer said.
"Once they have them in that relationship, that is when they get sort of personal one-on-one contact," Mr Offer said.
More than of a third of respondents preferred small group training, with online services another popular method, Mr Offer said.
Mr Offer said Optus' website, www.bizthinktank.com.au, had specialists in their fields to help with training.
"They (managers) are looking for skills and advice that is relevant to small business, not just an academic lecture," he said.
"We have pulled together business experts to give some of that advice on a one-to-one basis.
"If they are time poor, they can do that when it is convenient for themselves."
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