Survey on Entrepreneurship for Small-Scale, Nature-Based Businesses

UNDP is currently designing a Massive Open Online Course for entrepreneurs working on small-scale nature-based businesses. The course is a learning opportunity for anyone who is interested in small and medium businesses that are based on the sustainable use of natural resources and environment. Our goal is to support entrepreneurs so that they can grow their businesses and make them more successful. We would love to receive your inputs so that we design the course in a way that is most helpful for you. The course will be offered free of charge.

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* 1. Have you ever taken an online course before?

Yes, from NBSAP Forum and/or Conservation Training

Yes, the course was provided by:

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* 2. What is the main reason that you would like to take this course?

General interest in the topic

I need to learn more about this topic to succeed in my current business

I would like to start a business, but don't know how

I would like to meet other entrepreneurs

I would like to pursue an MBA (Master of Business Administration)

Other, please specify:

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* 3. Are you an entrepreneur?

Yes, I operate my own business

Yes. I am currently employed but plan to own my own business

No, but I may want to own my own business someday

No, but I am interested in learning more about entrepreneurship

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* 4. Which topics are you most interested in?

Ideas and Creativity: Nurture the development of entrepreneurial ideas.

Intellectual Property: Examine the opportunities and challenges of identifying/protecting rights to intangible business products and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities.

Refining Ideas: Focus and narrow a business idea to its most viable form.

Resourcing: Obtain the necessary financial and material components for effective operation of your business.

Finance Sources: Identify sources and methods for raising capital.

Financial Statements: Prepare and maintain statements of financial information that are critical to a business.

Spreadsheet Modeling: Utilize technology to simulate hypothetical/possible situations for the future of a business.

Feasibility and Value Potential: Determine the commercial viability and ability of a business idea to create value.

Pitching and Presenting: Clearly communicate business ideas in a way that achieves partnership and/or fundraising.

Marketing: Communicate to attract, win, and keep satisfied customers.

Social Business and Green Business: Examine types of businesses that measure their impact on individuals, communities, and the environment rather than on profitability.

Strategic Planning: Define a company's strategy and allocate resources to accomplish it.

Organizational Behavior: Manage personnel to maximize business productivity.

Other, please specify:

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* 5. How much time are you willing to spend on a course in a week?

Up to 2 hours

Up to 5 hours

Up to 10 hours

Up to 20 hours

More than 20 hours

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* 6. Are you willing to commit 200 cumulative class and study hours to the completion of this course over the next 6-12 months?

Yes

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* 7. How will you access the course?

Home desktop computer or laptop

Home tablet

In an Internet cafe

On a mobile phone

Other, please specify:

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* 8. How often can you access the internet?

Continually. I have an internet connection in my home and/or business.

Daily. I can access the internet through an internet cafe or other local internet source.

Every few days. I can access the internet through an internet cafe or another local internet source, but it is not reliable.

Once per week. I have to travel several hours to get to a location with internet connectivity.

Other, please specify:

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* 9. Please identify and rank the the components of an online course that are most important to you?

Online lessons

Video lectures

Audio-only lectures

Downloadable online lessons

Case studies and other written resources

Group learning opportunities

Project based learning

Optional review sessions with the instructor

I don't know

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* 10. Do you desire to pursue an academic degree beyond this course?

Yes

Maybe

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* 11. Would you be interested in obtaining academic credit for this course towards a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Edinburgh School of Business, Heriot-Watt University? This would mean you could use this course as part of the required course work for an MBA taught through online learning by the Edinburgh School of Business.

Yes

Maybe

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* 12. If yes, would you be willing to pay $160 to receive academic credit for this course from the Edinburgh School of Business, Heriot- Watt University?

Yes

Not Sure

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* 13. If yes, do you believe that you could obtain outside funding to pursue academic credit for this course, such as from a partner organization?

Yes

Maybe

I don't know

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* 14. If you are currently running a business, what are the greatest challenges or needs that you have in your business?

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* 15. If you are thinking of starting your business, what are the biggest obstacles that prevent you from doing so?

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* 16. What is the main outcome you hope this course will help you achieve? Please be as specific as possible.

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* 17. Please select your age group:

Under 18

18-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60 and over

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* 18. Please specify your sex:

Male

Female

Other

Prefer not to specify

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* 19. What country do live in?

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* 20. What is your primary language of communication?

English

French

Spanish

Other, please specify:

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* 21. Please indicate your highest level of education completed:

Less than a high school degree

High school or equivalent

Vocational/technical school

Some college but no degree

Bachelor's degree or higher

Other, please specify:

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* 22. Which of the following categories best describes your occupation?

Agriculture and forestry

Fishing and hunting

Mining, oil and gas extraction

Biodiversity conversation

Education and training

Government and public administration

International development

Protected area management

Other, please specify: