Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to improve assessment and feedback processes in the training practices of very small firms, thereby improving the firms' human capital. Design/methodology/approach: The paper reviews research and practice on effective assessment and feedback. Findings: Based on this paper, human resources are increasingly seen…

Purpose: In recent years a significant number of intellectual capital (IC) metrics has been developed and applied in many organizations. However, there is still a strong need to specify the relations among the different categories of intellectual assets that exist in the context of small to medium-sized enterprises (SME), and to determine the way…

The Illinois Community College Board provided more than $3.3 million to community colleges during fiscal year 2009 to support local workforce and economic development services through their Business and Industry Centers. The workforce development activities conducted under this grant include customized job training on campus or on-site at a…

This paper presents the recruiting trends for 2007-2008. This year's report is based on 994 respondents, including 84 K-12 school districts. The researchers focused attention on growing companies, based on lists from Forbes and Inc. magazines, and as a result, they have more small and medium-size employers represented this year. The sample…

Small businesses represent a resource of tremendous potential for school-to-work partnerships. Work in small businesses exposes students to many facets of running a businesses, and small businesses are creating most of the new jobs in the United States. On the other hand, small businesses have had limited involvement in school-to-work programs…

Noting that entrepreneurs know that marketing can make or break a business and that outreach requires effective written materials, this guide argues that anyone can learn to write effective copy. The guide demonstrates how to write effective sales letters and advertisements and persuasive press releases. It takes readers step-by-step through the…

A project created a model for literacy councils that would allow them to form working partnerships with small businesses and provide instruction based on the needs of both the employer and the employee. Fifty employers received Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council (GPLC) program information by mail; 20 participated in a workplace survey. Three…

This issue in the series, "Research at a Glance," explores Australian small business and its attitudes to training, needs, how small business becomes involved in training, and how training happens. It begins with an overview of findings, some policy options, and a list of 11 references used in preparation of this publication. Research…

Global technological and demographic changes have established the need for vocational training and labor force development. The problems begin in defining the type of training needed, its effectiveness, how to fund it, and how to ensure benefits for the trainee, the employer, the national economy, and society. Four pitfalls to training should be…

This guide is designed to help women business owners become more successful by providing them with information about marketing their goods and services to the federal government. Part 1 focuses on how the government buys. It covers briefly general procedures, consolidated purchasing programs, and individual federal agencies. Three government tools…

Seven small business owners, professors, and leaders answered the question of whether academia can help small business owners. In the opinion of a small business owner, academia offers too much theory and too few real skills. According to the president of the National Federation of Independent Business, academia can play a role in the development…

A survey of 255 owners of independent businesses in the Midwest investigated their planning activities. Findings indicate that a large majority of the owners of existing businesses engage in both long-term and short-term planning. They believe that some of their planning is beneficial. However, most believe that they are only moderately well…

This guide was developed to help small business owners and managers select effective programs for their companies. Seven guidelines to help the small business manager analyze and compare programs and predict training effectiveness are presented in the forum of questions. They are: (1) Are the training objectives specific? (2) Is the structure…

This pamphlet discusses questions to consider when planning a child care facility. Topics discussed include licensing, financial management, written policies on facility operation, recordkeeping, insurance, the physical nature of the facility, program planning, scheduling of daily activities, personnel selection, staff development, parent…

This curriculum guide is one of five developed as part of the Illinois Plan for Business, Marketing, and Management Education for use in 9th and 10th grades. The curriculum guide includes teacher and student activities that can be implemented in many ways. Information on how to integrate the activity objectives of the Illinois Plan into the State…