Mapping the Shift in Business Development Services: Making markets work for the poor

Small enterprises not only need credit they also need many other services: training, advice, marketing, supplies, premises, accountancy, materials, technology and many others. Without them, credit alone may do no more than add the burden of debt to all the other problems entrepreneurs have to face. Governments and foreign donors have traditionally responded to these needs by trying to provide the services themselves. Despite or because of heavy subsidies, these services have been inadequate and of poor quality, and their main effect has been to 'crowd out' potentially more effective private suppliers. But policy makers are now learning that entrepreneurs are willing to pay the market price for quality services, and that small businesses in the private sector are the best source of services for other small businesses. The goal is to make markets work in business services as well as in other products. Business Development Services for Small Enterprise shows how to make markets really work, how to reduce dependence on donor agencies and illustrates critical issues, new findings and radical changes with a wealth of wide-ranging material. This is a key title for all B.D.S. practitioners.

Malcolm Harper is an emeritus professor of Cranfield University; he is an independent researcher, writer and teacher who works mainly in India. He has published on enterprise development and microfinance. He was Chairman of Basix Finance from 1996 until 2006, and is Chairman of M-CRIL, the microfinance credit rating agency and business development, and author of numerous books and articles. He is the co-editor of What's Wrong with Microfinance? (Practical Action, 2007).

Jim Tanburn is currently employed by the International Labour Organization in Geneva and is an advisor on small enterprise development internationally.