Scottish Government

ANNEX 5 INTERVIEW STRUCTURE

Minority Ethnic Enterprise: Scoping Study

Interview Structure

Researcher introduction

(previous letter or as appropriate to introduction)

The purpose of the study is to establish the importance of issues facing minority ethnic enterprises in Scotland. These may be concerned with establishment, development and growth of your business and the environment that you face. We wish to reassure you that any information given is confidential to the study.

Interviewer __________________

Date ________________________

Interview recorded ____________________

Reference number ____________________

I wish to begin by asking some questions about you and your business:

1. The Business Owner and the Business Profile

1.1 How long has your business been operating (years)

1.2 Are you the founder/owner? Are there other founding partners/owners?

Probe for other involvement or ownership in the enterprise

1.3 Location

Has this changed?

Probe for reasons?

1.4 Ethnicity as per Census 2001 definitions

1.5 You have been invited to be part of this study as a minority ethnic enterprise owner, would you agree with this description?

Check on business owner's perception of ethnicity

1.6 Generation and age: are you first, second or third generation?

1.7 What did you do before you started (or joined or bought) this business?

1.8 Your previous education? And qualifications?

1.9 Why did you start (join or buy) this business?

1.10 What is the main product/service of your business?

Probe for diversification

1.11 Who or what are your main markets and customers?

1.12 Why are you in this business sector?

1.13 Do you have any other business interests?

1.14 What is your current turnover this year?

1.15 Over the last three years, what has happened to your turnover?

Increase/decrease?

Probe for the extent of growth?

1.16 Who are your main competitors?

1.17 Over the last three years, what has happened to your competition?

Increase/decrease

Probe for the extent of change

1.18 What are the main ambitions and objectives for your business?

Probe for short term? Medium term? and long term?

2. Sources of Finance

2.1 How have you financed your business and it is development?

2.2 What were the main sources of finance used at start-up?

Please give proportions:

Check list

Approached?

Did this involve referral from a business advice or support agency such as Business Gateway?

Experiences?

2.3 How has the importance of these changed during business development?

2.4 Did you have to provide any security to obtain finance?

2.5 EITHER: (NB OR/AND CAN APPLY)

If you have not raised finance from an external source (eg a bank or other financial institution), why not?

Probe for views of external funders

OR

If you have you approached or applied to an external source and not been able to raise finance, why not?

Probe for experience, what were reasons given?

How did you feel about the reasons given?

If you have raised finance from an external source, why?

Probe for experience -how would you describe your relationship?

2.6 Do you have any experience of micro-credit or other special funding ( e.g., Developing Strathclyde, Edinburgh City?)

2.7 Do you plan to fund expansion, development or diversification of your business in the future?

If appropriate; how and why?

If not, why not?

Check list for source for expansion

3. Sources of Advice

3.1 What have been the main sources of advice that you have used at the start and/or development of your business?

Check list:

3.2 Why did you approach < EACH SOURCE > and what were your experiences?

Probe for experience; did it meet your needs?

3.3 Are you aware of < EACH SOURCE> ?

3.4 For future development of your business where would you turn to now for advice?

Is there anywhere you would not seek advice? If so, why not?

3.5 What are your most important current needs for advice?

Resources/sourcing?

Development/growth?

Training?

Diversification?

Recruitment?

Staff development and related training?

Technology-related?

E-business?

Succession planning?

Business planning?

4. Business issues

4.1 What are the current most important or critical issues facing your business?

Check list

4.1 Where would you go for advice on < CHECK LIST>?

Any places you would not go, and why not?

4.2 What do expect will be the most important issues in the future for your business < CHECK LIST>

4.3 What are your plans for the future development of your business?

4.4 Have you used or developed a business plan?

Probe for issues in planning

4.5 Have you considered planning an exit from this current business?

If Yes probe for reasons/measures considered.

5. Other Issues

5.1 How do your resolve problems?

Self-reliant? Or Discuss with others?

5.2 What are the needs of minority ethnic enterprises?

That is; generic issues that may be similar to other businesses

Probe for issues?

5.3 What are the special needs of MINORITY ETHNIC enterprises?

That is; special issues that may be distinctive for minority ethnic enterprises

Probe for issues?

5.4 Would you see a role for:

Scottish Minority Ethnic Business Forum?

Minority Ethnic Chamber of Commerce?

Asian or other Minority Ethnic Group or Association?

Sectoral association ( e.g., clothing/food /other body)

Any other body to represent minority ethnic enterprises?

5.5 What role or function should this body perform for minority ethnic enterprises?

5.6 What networks do you currently use?

5.7 What is the role of business advice and support agencies in these networks?

5.8 What barriers do you perceive in business networks?

5.9 Are there any other important issues which you would like to discuss that we have not covered?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP ETC