Entrepreneurial skills assessment: the perspective of SBDC directors

This paper examines the perspective of Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) directors located in several mid-American states on 17 skills suggested as being critical to individuals seeking to embark on entrepreneurial activities. A survey questionnaire was completed by the directors regarding the importance and usefulness of these skills to individuals pursuing entrepreneurial activities. The results of this survey are compared to an earlier exploratory study of SBDC clients of one regional office in their first two years after initial contact with the office. Two of the skills (Operational and Higher-Order) viewed most differently by the two groups are examined in more detail. Implications for future research and for practice are discussed.