The most important Essential Skills for small business owner/operators are:

• oral communication
• thinking skills
• working with others

A. READING TEXT

The typical reading tasks of small business owner/operators are at Complexity Level 2 to 3. Their most complex reading tasks are at Complexity Level 3 to 4.

Examples:

Small business owner/operators read:

• newspapers and newsletters to stay abreast of economic and industry trends (daily).
• manuals, product information brochures, warranties and guarantees to evaluate products and services as well as provide customer service.
• industry publications to determine business opportunities through market research (weekly).
• promotional materials to get ideas for marketing as well as sales and service.
• bid documents to prepare competitive bids.
• memos and notes from employees for managing operations (daily).
• labels on products or supplies to find out directions for use.
• forms to make applications for funding, such as credit application forms (annually).
• résumés.
• manuals to obtain information for professional development and informal ongoing learning.
• summaries and conclusions in sales reports to evaluate business performance.
• contracts for equipment leasing.
• specifications for building or office space.
• statistical reports, such as Statistics Canada information (monthly).
• legislation in order to comply with federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal/regional legislation such as taxation, employment standards, and building permits.
• legal documents relating to ongoing business management such as incorporation, insurance and building leases, etc.

Reading Profile