Soft Skills – The Missing Piece for Entrepreneurs to Grow a Business

Abstract

Small businesses and entrepreneurial startups are continually cited as critical engines for economic and social growth and development of our country. Many municipalities and state governments provide tax incentives, low (or no) interest loans, infrastructure improvements and “economic gardening” – an economic development model with the fundamental idea that entrepreneurs drive economies. Economic gardening initiatives connect entrepreneurs to resources, assist with refining business models, encourage the development of essential infrastructure, assess competitive intelligence, and provide entrepreneurs with needed information. The authors suggest what is missing is assisting entrepreneurs with development of their interpersonal or soft skills.