Western Australian Small Business Benchmarks 2010
A new online Benchmarking tool for Small Business is almost here! After a successful pilot of the WASBB concept in 2008, we have refined the various measures of small business success for the second round of WASBB in 2010 (opens July 2010).
The feedback we received from users of WASBB 2008 was to make it shorter (we have-significantly) and that every small business would like to be able to get a more customised measure of success, focusing on what matters to the individual owner. This has been achieved through an innovative redesign of the data collection and feedback process, to create the Small Business Success Benchmarks (SB2).
The new SB2
- SB2 is a novel benchmarking tool that gives owners the capability to confidentially compare their performance with other similar businesses, across a range of easy to understand measures, with feedback given as soon as the information is input (subject to a minimum number of responses).
- The web-based tool is designed to be quick and simple to supply the information in one 20-30 minute session. Once the owner has supplied the required business information they are given an immediate ranking of their business on a range of factors. This ranking against other similar businesses is provided without disclosing any confidential information to other benchmark participants as soon as enough responses are available to ensure anonymity. All participants are given password protected access to recheck their ranking for the entire year and can update their performance data annually.
- The tool contains simple instructions on how to use the output to customise measures that matter to each business, industry and circumstance. If preferred, users can rely on the predetermined weightings that our team have developed. The best thing is, the tool is still free to use for 2010! Between April and June we will be focusing on securing more sponsors and advocates of WASBB.
The tool will go live for business owners to participate in July 2010.
Contact
Interested in supporting WASBB? Please contact:
Mr Louis Geneste
Email: L.Geneste@curtin.edu.au
Telephone: 9266 7897
OR
Dr Paull Weber
Email: P.Weber@curtin.edu.au
Telephone: 9266 7897
If you are a business wanting to participate, email: SBBenquiries@curtin.edu.au and we will reserve your place for the July launch.
View demonstration video of SB2
To view a 4 minute demonstration video on SB2 output go to 
2008
About the project
The research is an ambitious long-term project to partner with many stakeholders in the small business community in Western Australia, to create a range of best practice indicators and industry norms that business owners can use to help them start or grow a more successful business. These indicators will cover areas such as marketing, finance, operations, human resources, strategy, community and environment to name a few.
Download a copy of the project outline(PDF)
Researchers
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Chief Investigator
Lead Investigator
Investigator
Investigator |
2008 Report
Western Australian Small Business Benchmarks 2008 in pdf format. (1.9MG)
2008 Snapshots
These snapshots have been created to provide users with a more focussed view of the WASBB data for business owners, advisors and other stakeholders. The snapshots report the average response to all questions in the survey for various subsets of WASBB respondents. Snapshots are predominantly created by business type as defined by the ANZSIC classification method used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. There are also some snapshots available on a regional basis and other samples based upon demographic and behavioural characteristics. To maximise relevance for individual users the snapshots are created at the finest level where we can still ensure individual respondent data is not disclosed. The total sample (all responses) is also provided in snapshot format to assist users to make your own comparisons. Because of the variability of sample sizes (as large as 344 and as small as 7) used in this methodology it is not appropriate or possible to report on statistical significance in these reports. Please note the disclaimer on the compilations use of this data that is published on the last page of each of the snapshot reports and the sample size disclosed
1. Total Sample (for comparison purposes) 2008 Snapshot
2. Perth Region 2008 Snapshot
3. South West Region 2008 Snapshot
4. Great Southern Region 2008 Snapshot
5. Wheatbelt Region 2008 Snapshot
6. Agriculture Subdivision 01- 2008 Snapshot
7. Food Product Manufacturing Subdivision 11- 2008 Snapshot
8. Textile, Leather, clothing and Footwear Manufacturing Subdivision 13- 2008 Snapshot
9. Fabricated Metal product Manufacturing Subdivision 22- 2008 Snapshot
10. Building Construction Subdivision 30- 2008 Snapshot
11. Construction Services Subdivision 32- 2008 Snapshot
12. Food Retailing Subdivision 41- 2008 Snapshot
13. Other Store-Based Retailing Subdivision 42- 2008 Snapshot
14. Accommodation Subdivision 44- 2008 Snapshot
15. Property Operators and Real Estate Services Subdivision 67- 2008 Snapshot
16. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Subdivision 69- 2008 Snapshot
17. Management Advice and Related Consulting Services Class 6962- 2008 Snapshot
18. Computer System Design and Related Services Subdivision 70 - 2008 Snapshot
19. Administrative Services Subdivision 72- 2008 Snapshot
20. Medical and Other Health Care Services Subdivision 85-2008 Snapshot
21. Creative and Performing Arts Activities Subdivision 90-2008 Snapshot
22. Repair and Maintenance Services Subdivision 94- 2008 Snapshot
23. Personal and Other Services Subdivision 95-2008 Snapshot
Media enquiries
For media enquiries, or if you would like to be included in the study as a participant or a supporting association, please email SBBenquiries@curtin.edu.au or contact Mr Louis Geneste
Copy of questionnaire
A copy of the questionnaire is available for interest only. Please do not complete and submit this copy.
Sponsor support
We are grateful of the significant sponsor support for the inaugural WASBB from Australia Post and The Curtin Centre for Entrepreneurship.
