Educating women in small business in a regional area of Queensland, Australia

The Smart State is a Queensland Government vision of a State where knowledge, creativity and innovation drive economic growth to improve prosperity and quality of life for all Queenslanders (The State of Queensland (Department of the Premier and Cabinet), 2006). As a result of the Queensland Government's designation of Queensland as The Smart State, State Development and Innovation called for applicants to apply for funding for their Women in Business Coaching Scheme. The purpose of the Scheme was to "facilitate improved business performance by supporting long-term growth and development of Queensland businesses that are owned and operated by women" (Queensland Government State Development and Innovation, 2005 p.1). The Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd were successful in receiving funding and this paper presents the outcomes of the Gladstone Women in Business Coaching Scheme. While the Women in Business Coaching Scheme catered to 20 participants, the pre and post test only captured the responses of ten participants due to late enrolments, dropouts and incomplete attendance. The women came from many areas of business with 69% being business owners; 15% business managers; 36% identified as working in a male dominated industry and 14% worked in a community based business. The majority of business women (57%) were aged between 31 and 50 years of age and 78% worked full-time supervising an average of six staff members. Using paired-sample t-tests to measure differences, it was found that all ten participants reported a statistically significant improvement in knowledge in 24 of the 25 areas covered. Improved business knowledge and self-confidence were the major outcomes for attendees at the Women in Business Coaching Scheme. In addition, all participants were so satisfied with the course that they would recommend it to others if it were repeated and were prepared to attend a more advanced session in the future.