MAKING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES STRONG THOUGH SMALL BUSINESS

Making Families and Communities Strong Through Small Business Mara West, Honours Thesis, Murdoch University, 2007Appendix 1: Survey Questions and Analysis of AnswersResponse Comments/Analysis Common Success Factors Best Practice Elements1. Question: What were your reasons for establishing this type of business?CS 1 Had 25 years experience in the Both businesses have Taking advantage of the Extensive workingearthmoving businessextensive experience opportunity to fill a gap in knowledge of theWasn’t another dozer of its size D7H working in the the industryindustry(caterpillar dozer) in the region to pick up earthmoving and Extensive workingbusiness. Another operator had transport industries.knowledge of themachinery but not one of this size.Worked at Gascoyne Junction and sawthe need for the D7H and the type ofworked involved.Gascoyne Junction Shire offered a certainnumber of hoursBoth saw an opportunityand decided to establishtheir own operations.industryCS 2Worked in the industry for a number ofyears.Pre-existing knowledge and contactsOpportunity arose to purchase truck2. Question: What are the drawbacks in establishing a business in a remote location?CS 1Biggest drawback is no further contactwas made from the funding bodies afterfunding had been allocated. If thegovernment is concerned about wherepublic dollars are spent then shouldn’tthere be some evaluation and monitoringprocess in place especially in terms oflone operators. Their policy seems to be“out of sight out of mind”. The idea ofletting people get on with the businessand if there are any problems thebusiness operators can contact them isOperating in a remotelocation makes it hardto build networks,source information andparts whenever there isa breakdown of themachinery/truck.Maintenance andrepairs are expensiveas is waiting time, andwaiting time means lossof income.Knowingandunderstanding theissues of operating in aremote locationTackling problemsinstead of avoidingthemThe ability to persevereKnowingandunderstanding theissues of operating in aremote locationAddress problemswhen they arise anddon’t avoid them.The ability to persevere45