Small Business Exposed

This book is a look into the world of the small business owner through their eyes – how the five different "tribes" of business perceive the world around them, how they run their businesses, their motivations and goals. It’s not another "how to" book or an academic treatise.

Everyone’s needs and hopes are different; however, by using cutting-edge social scientific research techniques, we break the business community into five groups (or tribes): The Seekers, Whatnows, Drifters, Satisficers and Digitals. Each tribe has its own set of issues. And there are also some things which cut across all the tribes – the consistent elements in small business owners’ DNA. Understanding which tribe you belong to could make the difference in growing your business – or help you better advise businesses to achieve their goals.

Small Business Exposed will bridge the gap between the frontiers of small business research and the popular business book market. As such, it will become an essential text not only for the small businessperson, but also enter the libraries of advisors, accountants, bankers and anyone else with a vested interest in the business economy.

Professor Scott Holmes is the Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President; Dean, School of Business; and Professor of Public Policy at The Whitlam Institute, Western Sydney University. He holds honorary Professorships at the University of Queensland, Australia and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Dr Michael T. Schaper is the Deputy Chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and a former Small Business Commissioner. In 2009 he was named Australia’s "National Small Business Champion". He is also an Adjunct Professor at several Australian universities.