Minneapolis, MN - Microbusiness Strategies LLC, in association with the Microbusiness Research Institute (MRI) and Minnesota Small Business Development Center (MnSBDC) Network, has announced the launch of a series of Microbusiness Issues Forums around the state of Minnesota beginning in February 2008. The forum series, collectively entitled IssuesLive, will gather American microbusiness owners together with other key stakeholders to discuss key issues related to operating and growing a microbusiness.
IssuesLive organizers plan to expand the forum series to include events held at various locations around the country. The series is expected to include a policy forum in Washington, D.C. in 2008.
Microbusinesses are generally defined as small businesses with fewer than ten employees. They comprise 95.1% of all U.S. businesses, according to the most recent data available from the Census Bureau and the Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy. Yet, in spite of the numbers, microbusinesses are not well-understood by economists, policy makers or the private sector.
Organizers describe the series as a national needs assessment, the first of its kind, through which they expect to spread a deeper understanding of the role of microbusinesses in the economy – how they operate, how they grow, how much unrealized potential they have, and how they are impacted by public policy and corporate business practices.
In addition to microbusiness owners, IssuesLive participants will include federal, state and local elected representatives, government administrators, business leaders, non-profit leaders, and academics. During the events, guest and expert panelists will participate in a dialogue with audience members that will be facilitated by representatives from Microbusiness Strategies, MRI, the SBDC network and other partner organizations.
“The point of the exercise, beyond achieving a deeper understanding of the largest segment of the American economy, is to apply what we learn from these exchanges and convert that new understanding into policy and practice that helps microbusinesses - and the overall economy in turn,” said Ron Wacks, CEO of Microbusiness Strategies and President Emeritus of the American Association of Microbusinesses.
“It’s a bit of a twist on the usual forum format,” added Dawn Rivers Baker, president of MRI. “Instead of making presentations to the audience, we expect the panelists to be learning from the audience. We think these events could provide everyone involved with a excellent opportunity to engage in meaningful, actionable dialogue.”
The initial round of IssuesLive forum events will be hosted by the Minnesota Small Business Development Center Network, at SBDC locations around the state. Michael Myhre, Minnesota SBDC State Director, views the events as a valuable opportunity to improve SBDC services.
“This partnership will help assist the Minnesota SBDC Network identify the critical issues which affect its primary demographic, microbusinesses, and design services and products to meet their needs and help them grow and succeed,” said Myhre.
Mark Ritchie added, "As Minnesota's Secretary of State, I am dealing with every business in our state on a regular basis. I know from this experience the value that these microbusiness forums can add to my work and to the work of others who provide business services across this county. This is a very important initiative that needs to happen as soon as possible."
Each forum event will be webcast live to facilitate real-time participation by stakeholders from around the country. The webcasts will also be archived on the Internet for easy access by anyone at any time.
Additionally, MRI will compile data collected at the events into statistically-based summaries of the issues identified by microbusiness owners during each event. Future MRI research initiatives will examine the extent to which that data is representative of microbusinesses nationwide.
A copy of the research summaries will also archived on the Internet.
