Q.Prepare a questionnaire to find out the actual problems faced by an owner of a small scale unit. Prepare a project report on it.

This project asks you to go into the field, interview a real small-scale unit owner using a questionnaire you design, and write up the problems you find.

What the project tests

The project checks whether you can connect the chapter's list of problems — finance, raw materials, managerial skills, labour, marketing, quality, capacity utilisation, technology, sickness and global competition — to a real small-scale unit, by gathering first-hand information and reporting it clearly.

How to approach it

Choose a small-scale unit near you (a workshop, food unit, garment maker, printing press, etc.), fix an appointment with the owner, and use a written questionnaire so that your interview covers every important area in an organised way. Note the answers and then write them up under headings that match the chapter's problem areas.

Sample questionnaire

1. General information — name and type of unit; year of starting; number of workers; product(s) made; whether registered as a micro/small enterprise.
2. Finance — How did you raise your starting capital? Do you face a shortage of working capital? Have you been able to get bank loans, and were collateral or margin money a difficulty?
3. Raw materials — Are the raw materials you need easily available? Do you face problems of price, quality or storage?
4. Labour — Is it easy to find skilled workers? Do you face high turnover or difficulty in paying competitive wages?
5. Managerial skills — Do you manage everything yourself? Which functions do you find hardest (production, marketing, accounts)?
6. Marketing — How do you sell your products? Do you depend on middlemen? Do you face problems of low prices or delayed payments?
7. Quality and technology — Are you able to maintain quality standards? Is your machinery up to date?
8. Capacity utilisation and sickness — Do you run at full capacity? Have you ever faced losses or the threat of closure?
9. Competition and support — Do you feel pressure from larger firms or multinationals? Have you received any government assistance?

Sample report outline

• Introduction — the unit chosen, the product, and why you selected it.
• Method — that you interviewed the owner using the questionnaire above.
• Findings — the actual problems reported, arranged under finance, raw materials, labour, marketing, quality, technology and so on.
• Conclusion — the two or three biggest problems the owner faces and any suggestions for tackling them.