A successful small business management applying project manager approach

Abstract

This thesis will be a study of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in the United States of America, with some comparison to the SME business sector in the third world countries, such as Lebanon. The study will focus on developing a Management Model for the small business enterprise using state of the art software and techniques to improve the quality and efficiency. It will also include some analysis to minimize the risk and to compete locally and globally. Finally, the study will include hypothetical cases of applying the model to start new small business as well as an application to modify an existing one. Several business software are now accessible and affordable for the small businesses. Many small businesses are using such software, but not in a coherent, systematic, and permanent way. A considerable nwnber of small businesses use some accounting software that runs on a personal computer (PC). In addition to the standard accounting transaction handling, this type of software package may include other modules such as personnel, payroll, inventory control, and fmance. Some examples of these software are MS Great Plains, Peach Tree accounting software, and MAS90 accounting software. Project Manager software has been used for many years to plan and control the execution of large projects. The project manager techniques can be implemented in the operation of many small businesses and its benefits will vary with the type of business. Most small companies don't apply such techniques and especially in a similar model that we will develop in this paper. There are several types of project manager software in the market but the most known ones are Primavera and Microsoft Project Manager. This thesis will explain how a small business can run smoother and more efficient by applying the developed Management Model. Combining the latest version of MS Project and advanced current accounting software with implementation of project management techniques, the small business will run smoother and with higher efficiency. The Management Model will use customization setup and interface with other business software packages. If the software is setup properly, the small business manager will have much better knowledge of how the business is running and he will have more control and faster respond to fix or avoid any foreseen problems. In addition, applying the Model will increase employees' efficiency and the quality of customer/business relationships.