Exploring Entrepreneurship Workshop Evaluation Summary

Jan. – Dec. 2008

QUESTIONS 1 – 5

Respondents utilize a rating scale to denote theirlevel of satisfaction with the training opportunity. The scale uses an ascending to descending ranking; a rating of 5 (five) represents agreement while a rating of 1 (one) denotes disagreement.There were a total of 182 respondents. The table below reflects a compilation of how those attendees responded to these five questions:

#1The information this training provided helped me to better understand the steps required when evaluating what is needed to plan for successful business ownership.

AGREE(“5” and “4” responses) / NEUTRAL(“3” response) / DISAGREE(“2” or “1” responses)
97.3% / 2.7% / 0%

#2The trainer’s business knowledge met my expectations.

AGREE(“5” and “4” responses) / NEUTRAL(“3” response) / DISAGREE(“2” or “1” responses)
96.7% / 3.3% / 0%

#3The trainer presented the information in a way that was easy to understand.

AGREE(“5” and “4” responses) / NEUTRAL(“3” response) / DISAGREE(“2” or “1” responses)
97.8% / 2.2% / 0%

#4Information about the IVRS Self-Employment Program was helpful. *

AGREE(“5” and “4” responses) / NEUTRAL(“3” response) / DISAGREE(“2” or “1” responses)
96.7% / 2.7% / 0%

#5I would recommend this training to other people with disabilities who are interested

in self-employment.

AGREE(“5” and “4” responses) / NEUTRAL(“3” response) / DISAGREE(“2” or “1” responses)
99.5% / 0.5% / 0%

* Response total does not equal 100% as one participant did not respond to Question #4.

QUESTIONS 6 – 10

Respondents are asked to answer freely in their own words to the questions noted below. A sampling of comments is included.

#6Describe what you learned from this training.

  • How to go about structuring and planning a business. Very good information on creating a business plan.
  • The process from start to finish of the Self-Employment process.
  • The steps and the need to follow those steps to have the best opportunity to succeed. It presented the realistic risks and expectations of Self-Employment.
  • I learned what I might expect as well as your expectations of me in regard to this program.
  • I learned what was available to me for help with technical assistance and what was involved with the financial assistance in the way of money-matching.
  • What it takes to be the most likely to start a successful business which has “excess cash flow from profitable operations.”
  • The importance of up-front planning. continued...

Exploring Entrepreneurship Training Evaluation Summary Jan. – Dec. 2008

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#7What other information would be helpful to know?

  • Local contacts for research.
  • Very complete information provided.
  • Capital resources for disabled owners; non-loan sources.
  • Specific business information unique to niche marketing.
  • People to talk to who have started businesses.
  • Success stories. Stories of where things didn’t turn out.

#8What did you like best about the training?

  • It was presented in an interesting way. Lots of good examples – also, a sense of humor helped make some points easy to remember.
  • The personal attention.
  • Moved along quickly – didn’t stagnate.
  • The interaction between trainer/participants was open and discussion was encouraged.
  • It seemed down-to-earth and easy to understand – more like one-on-one training.
  • Personable – open and willingness to answer each participant’s questions. Also, it opened my eyes to new unknown questions needing to operate a business.
  • The trainer was excellent!

#9What suggestions do you have for improving the training?

  • Keep it as a small group always.
  • Additional handout with web sources for beginning further exploration.
  • More ideas of websites that can be accessed for info.
  • I don’t know that I do at this time have any suggestions. This has certainly given me an open door to my pursuits. I’m left in a positive attitude of this experience and my goals.
  • Perhaps...have questions audio-recorded and then post them along with the answers on a FAQ page on the website.
  • More people should attend. Do many IVRS clients know about this?

#10Additional comments?

  • Very helpful, explained patiently so everyone could understand.
  • Enjoyed it! Thanks for the help.
  • Thank you! Thank you!
  • The way the presentation was presented kept me interested the whole time. Was great.
  • More disabled people should lose their fear and try.
  • Instructor was very clear; good answers to questions and knowledgeable.
  • Thank you! I feel charged.