Abstract
Orientation: Despite the increased emphasis on the importance of business coaching for SMMEs, research on this topic has been neglected. Economic growth and job creation are focus areas for SMMEs, and effective business coaching for their owners plays a vital role in South Africa. Therefore, this research aimed to study the role that business incubator coaching plays in supporting and developing SMMEs. Further, the research explored whether business incubator coaching is easily and readily accessible for SMMEs.
Research aim: This study aimed to explore business incubator coaching for SMMEs in the South African context.
Motivation for the study: The researcher’s motivation for undertaking this study was to create an awareness of the importance of the South African government investing in incubator services, such as effective business incubator coaching for SMMEs and to proffer pertinent best practices.
Research approach and method: A qualitative, exploratory study was utilised in this research. One-on-one interviews were conducted with participants who were selected using purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data through a combination of inductive and deductive analysis approaches.
Main findings: The study indicated the best practices associated with business incubator coaching programmes include individualised guidance, objective setting, feedback sessions, and creating avenues for socialising. Also, knowledge of business models, funding solutions, and financial literacy tops the list of necessary programmes for start-up success. Incubatee collaboration and peer assistance also supported objectives that substantially affect the success of SMME businesses. The programme should be well structured, and the initial matching between the coach and entrepreneur was crucial to establishing and building rapport. Furthermore, it is important to note that how the entrepreneur shows up plays a factor in the
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coaching journey; they should be willing to participate and show initiative in the programme. The coach’s characteristics and experience in assisting the SMME entrepreneur in reaching their coaching goals are equally important.
Theoretical Contributions: As coaching is still evolving, limited contemporary studies are available. This research contributed to this growing body of knowledge on studies conducted in the South African business incubator coaching context.
Practical Contribution: The researcher aimed to address the role that business incubator coaching plays in the sustainability of SMMEs and how the intervention it delivers is essential in driving the learning and sustainability of these SMMEs. The revelation of such insights further helped the researcher make practical recommendations that may be consulted or adapted by organisations similar to those explored in this study.
Keywords: Entrepreneur; business incubator coaching; Small Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME); public incubator; private incubator