| STATISTICS
Evaluation: (for projects disbursed
as of 31 December, 2006)
Compared with other programmes providing business consultancy services in Bulgaria, the BAS Programme offers to entrepreneurs’ clear application requirements, prompt procedure for assessment of application forms, flexibility, and services in conformity with the real needs of the companies
The BAS format has been noted by entrepreneurs as influential in helping them identify their most urgent and pressing needs when they have competing development priorities (needs for quality management systems, marketing research, introduction of new software, etc.). With the help of BAS Programme staff, entrepreneurs select the most qualified among a number of competent consultants to ensure best value-for- money execution of the service. An additional benefit of the familiarity with the circumstances of numerous local companies is the ability to direct them to other Programmes or resource centres. BAS clients benefit from the Programme's knowledge base even after the completion of their particular projects as they can turn for general advice to BAS personnel. As a result of such counselling, two of the BAS Programme clients are now working on a co-operation agreement to use the underutilised resources of the distribution service of one company for the purposes of the other.
Upon disbursement of grants, companies fill out a BAS Evaluation Form where they rank the work of the consultant (according to price, quality, timing, methodology, reality of recommendations), the project (in terms of expected benefits to the company), and the BAS Programme (in terms of the BAS procedure, timing, assistance in identifying company’s needs, selection of consultant, competence). The table below summarizes are the evaluations submitted by the 209 companies to whom funds have been disbursed. Results indicate that feedback from BAS clients in Bulgaria is overwhelmingly positive.
| |
Project assessment
|
Consultant work
|
BAS programme assistance |
| No of projects |
% |
No of projects |
% |
No of projects |
% |
| Highly Satisfactory |
168 |
80% |
165 |
79% |
196 |
94% |
| Satisfactory |
41 |
20% |
44 |
21% |
13 |
6% |
| Unsatisfactory |
0 |
0% |
0 |
0% |
0 |
0% |
| TOTAL |
209 |
100% |
209 |
100% |
209 |
100% |
The evaluation of the consulting services provided with BAS programme support show the following results:
80 % have rated the expected business performance (improvement of skills, market expansion, restructuring, cost reduction, etc.) as very successful; 20 % have rated it as successful;
79 % of respondents (owners and managers of SMEs) have evaluated the consulting service projects as very successful; 21 % have rated them as successful;
94 % of respondents have rated the BAS Programme assistance (including procedure, timing, cooperation in selection of the consultant, etc.) as excellent and 6% as very good.
The local BAS office, efficiently supported by the BAS operations headquarters in London, has developed effective management, supervision and reporting procedures. Therefore the current and prospective future donors can have clear insight and overview on status, developments and results of the Programme.
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