STUDY OF SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS IN THE FORMS OF BUSINESS SUPPORT

Russia lags behind the developed countries in the share of small business in GDP and employment rate, which hinders its economic growth. Online surveys of business attitudes of small and medium-sized enterprises confirm negative expectations regarding the dynamics of demand for services and products, as well as the lack of resources support. Small businesses cannot operate in the aggressive market competition relying only upon entrepreneurial initiative and intuition. To identify prospective market niches, products, services and goods, they need professional marketing research, consulting in the selection of resources provision, tax and credit policies, opportunities for obtaining loans, benefits, etc. Marketing business services, according to the authors, should be aimed at helping entrepreneurs in identifying prospective market niches, services, products, goods and organization of business that promotes business activity, contributes to the growth of employment, an increase in contribution to GDP.

The analysis presented in the paper leads to the conclusion that to support small business enterprises they need business services in marketing and consulting provided by specialized non-profit organizations that are coordinated by state and local authorities.

The author analyzes and describes the domestic experience, including activities of GBU “Small business of Moscow”, in consulting on the issues of business establishment, its state registration, determining the forms of taxation and rent, registration of labor contracts, obtaining loans, credits, grants, etc. The work reveals the need for development of small business in the social sphere, particularly in the provision of social services, such as eldercare, disabled-care, and child-care, social transport services, etc., because the relevant market niches are not filled. The authors consider it necessary to intensify the implementation of the project of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation “Support for non-governmental organizations to get access to social services provision”.

The paper proves the feasibility of establishing an information-consulting agency to provide business services to small businesses.