Strategies For Improving Small Scale Enterprises

INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The strategies for improving small scale enterprise in Nigeria is a programme embarked upon by developing countries as one of the asset of economic increase of their nations. Before Nigeria had their independence in 1960, the people of Nigeria were engaged in commerce and in various kinds of occupations like fishing, hunting, buying and selling to earn their living. These occupations were determined by factors such as geographical Location and Nature of land, etc.
However, they engage on those activities but there were a lot of problems facing them such as, under-capital, inadequate infrastructure, lack of experience, etc. And these led to the introduction of a programme known as (SAP) Structural Adjustment programme in July 1986 by the government of General Ibrahim Badanasi Babangida. This programme was to help in generating the Nigeria Economy. It went a long way in encouraging private individuals to participate in the ownership of their own companies.
The structural adjustment programme (SAP) Introduced made employment rate to decline as a result of placing an embargo on employment, retrenchment of workers followed and many labours both skilled and unskilled could not get employment decided to get a self employed business such as craft work, drawings and paintings etc.
The small scale enterprises is a private owned and operated business characterized by a small number of employees and low turnover.
They are normally private owned co-operations and sole-proprietorship. Small scale enterprise varies country by country and industry by industry. Taking for instance in Australia under the work act of 2006; The range is fever than 15 employees. In Europe, their range is not more than 50employees and fewer than 500 employees to qualify for U.S small business Administration programs. (Isemin 2009:19)
The importance of small scale business enterprise includes the following: small scale enterprise promote competition and hinder monopoly. Small scale enterprise serves as a nursery for entrepreneurial organization all over the world. They ensure the supply of goods and services within the reach of a great majority of the populations. Finally they employ labour intensive technology and also provides further, the necessary apprenticeship training in skills and entrepreneurship which enables the beneficiaries get self employment. The small scale business which enjoys the patronage of the overall investors were established for the purpose of retailing goods and rendering services required for satisfying the needs and desire of our people in Nigeria. (Norbert Mille).
Government Through its various policies has given active encouragement and incentives to small scale enterprises in form of banning the inflow of some foreign goods and sometimes encouraging the importation of certain needed materials and equipment for the private sector of the economy. In 1987, Government also went further to establish a programme known as (NDE) National Directorate of Employment in Nigeria aiming at consciously creating more job opportunities. It also served as a vehicle for promoting entrepreneurship among the nation youths. At inception NDE developed four core programmes which is the youth employment and vocational skills, small scale enterprise and Graduate employment, special public works, Agricultural and Rural employment promotion.
The youth employment and vocational skills development programme was further split into four schemes namely:- National open Apprenticeship (NOA) scheme, schools on wheels (SON) scheme, waste to wealth (WIO) scheme and Resettlement Scheme. Various schemes that were embarked upon three of this programmes in one way or the others encouraged self employment. They provide their participants with necessary vocational and managerial skills, in order to cope with the demands of their preferred entrepreneurial activities. They also provide them with part of their initial capital in form of guaranteed and re-settlement loans as well as tools and equipments.
Government went on to set up other organizations for the development of small scale enterprise from where entrepreneurs can obtain the necessary information and other helps they require in order to establish and run their business successfully. These institutions include: Co-operate Affairs Commission (CAC), Industrial Development Centre (IDCS) Centre for Management Development (CMD), National economic Reconstruction Fund (NEFRUND), Development banks and people bank of Nigeria (DPBN) etc. these institutions went. Further to promote and develop small scale enterprises throughout the country.

Statement of the Problem
Despite the effort of both federal and state Governments to help in the development and improvement of small scale enterprise, it is still doubtful whether the small scale enterprises are not facing a lot of problems which is the reason why many of them are being closed down or terminated. There fore the following are some of the problems small scale enterprises are having:
a) Under capitalization
b) Inadequate planning
c) Incompetence of management
d) Inadequate Infrastructural facilities
e) Lack of skilled manpower
f) Poor competitive position
g) Problems of acceptability of Nigeria made-goods etc.

Objective/ Purpose of the Study.
1. To determine financial requirements for effective management within an organization.
2. Need for man power planning, training and development to avoid incompetence.
3. The role of government (particularly the federal & state government has a great role to play in the improving process).
4. To determine the problems of small scale business and possible solution.
5. To know employees/workers relationship in an organization or firm.

Significance of the Study
1. Having known some of the problems of small scale enterprises and also government effort in improving small scale enterprises.
The followings are the beneficiaries and benefit of small scale business enterprises.
1) Researchers:-
a) It will help the researchers to identify some of the problems of small scale enterprises.
b) It will sensitize the researcher about the small scale business.
c) It will enable them suggest the possible solution for the problem of small scale enterprises.
2. Government:-
a) It will help the government to know the adequate roles that are needed for the improvement of small scale enterprises.
b) This study will as well help the government to know the basic infrastructural facilities needed in progress of small scale enterprises
c) It will help in generation of revenue through tax collections for the government.
3. Enterprises:-
a) It will help them in minimizing risks involved in their businesses.
b) It will give them the required strategies for more improvement in their business.
c) It will help them to manage their business effectively.

Research Questions
1) What are the strategies for improving small scale enterprises?
2) What are the needs for manpower planning in the establishment of small scale enterprise?
3) What are the roles of government to play on the improving process?
4) Why is effective financial management needed in improving small scale enterprise?
5) What are the technological needs in improving small scale enterprise?
6) What are the possible solutions to solve the problems?

Scope of the Study
This study is designed to cover Ifekwesi ventures, NIG LTD. Small scale enterprise in Urba of Udenu Local Government area.

Definition of Terms
1) Enterprise: This can be defined as the ability to think of new projects and make them successful. Also it is the development of businesses by the people of a country rather than Government.
2) Small Scale: this can be defined as something not larger on size number, degree or amount or not doing business on a very large scale.
3) Strategies: Strategies can be seen as a plan that is intended to achieve a particular purpose, or the process of planning or putting a plan into operation on a skillful way.
4) Improvement: To improve is to make something become better than it was before, or to achieve or produce something that is of a better quality than something else.
5) Sap (Structural Adjustment Programme)
It is a comprehensive economic package designed by a country to achieve both internal and external balance in its economy.
6) Nde (National Directorate of Employment)
This is a programme established by Government in 1987, it aims at consciously creating job opportunities. And it also served as a vehicle for promoting entrepreneurship among the nation youths.
7) Questionnaire:- These could be defined as a set of questions presented to the respondents in a written form which the respondent are expected to answer in writing.
8) Interview:- this is a formal meeting at which a journalist or a researcher asks someone questions in order to find out their opinions about a particular thing or issue.
9) Rural People:- These are people living in various communities, especially those communities that has not yet been developed.
10) L.G.A (Local Government Area). It is always situated or located in every State.
11) Development:- This is gradual growth of something so that it could become more advanced and strong.
12) Economy:- This is the relationship between production trade and the supply of money in a particular country or region