A recent study by Dr. Dan Geller (2007) found no correlation between the educational level of micro-business owners and the practice of strategic planning in their companies. Dr. Geller studied 228 micro companies in Northern California and found that 163 respondents (70.56 percent) hold bachelor’s, master’s, or post-graduate degrees; yet there was no correlation (r = -0.0370; p = 0.5723) between the educational level of the micro-business owner and the practice of strategic planning in the company. In other words, incidence of strategic planning did not go up with higher education.

Based on previous scientific studies, which established correlation between the practice of strategic planning and micro-business success, and Dr. Geller’s study, which found no correlation between the educational level of micro-business owners and the practice of strategic planning, the conclusion is clear – higher education is not a factor in micro-business success.

Dr. Geller’s findings raise a question. Why would highly educated business owners, who have the knowledge and who understand the importance of planning in business, not practice such activity?

One reason is that micro-business owners lack the time to do so. Since traditional strategic planning methodologies were designed for very large companies, they are complex and time consuming. To help micro-business owners practice strategic planning, even though they have very limited time and resources, Dr. Geller developed the Instant Strategistâ methodology, which allows one to develop a valid and practical strategic plan in less than eight hours. “Clearly,” says Dr. Geller, “even a busy business owner can afford that.”

Dr. Dan Geller is the President of Instant Strategistâ (www.instantstrategist.com), a strategy-research company established in 1998 in San Rafael, CA, to help micro businesses succeed through the practice of quick and easy strategic planning. The company offers a range of planning tools, including a book, software, audio and video CD’s, to help busy micro-business owners plan their way to success. For more information go to www.instantstrategist.com, e-mail info@instantstrategist.com, or call toll free at 866-343-5537.