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MicroTest’s MicroTest's Client Outcomes Survey is a cost-effective yet powerful methodology for understanding the changes clients experience after receiving program services. A program contacts a sample of clients and asks about the client's business, household and work experiences. The resulting rich data allows programs to augment anecdotal client successes with quantifiable data. Using direct feedback from clients, programs improve their program services to better meet clients' needs. To see the premises on which the survey is based and the questions the survey is designed to answer, click here.

At the Five Year Mark: Outcomes Reported by US Microenterprise Clients (March 2010)
This special report funded by the Citi Foundation explores outcomes reported by clients five years after engaging with a microenterprise program. Key questions are explored using MicroTest client outcomes survey data such as "what are business start and survival rates?" "How do business revenues and owner's draw change over time" and "what type of employment is being generated?" The report also includes a section on implications for practitioners.

Microenterprises and Employment: 2008 MicroTest Outcomes (February 2010)
Issue five in the MicroTest Outcomes fact sheet series delves into employment generated by microenterprises and is based on client outcomes surveys conducted by MicroTest members in 2008. This report examines employment generated for business owners as well as additional paid workers. New jobs as well as net jobs figures are reported, and factors affecting employment are explored, including business industry and part-time and full-time business operation.

Business Growth: 2008 MicroTest Outcomes (January 2010)
Issue four in the MicroTest Outcomes fact sheet series delves into the growth of business revenues based on client outcomes surveys conducted by MicroTest members in 2008. This report examines factors affecting business revenues, including business industry and part-time and full-time business operation.

Business Start and Survivability: 2008 MicroTest Outcomes (August 2009)
Issue three in the MicroTest Outcomes fact sheet series delves into business start and survival rates based on client outcomes surveys conducted by MicroTest members in 2008. This report examines factors affecting business start rates and explores the sectors, revenues and part-time and full-time status of surviving businesses.

Microentrepreneurs and their Businesses: 2008 MicroTest Outcomes (March 2009)
The second in a series of fact sheets drawn from client outcomes surveys, this 4-page report highlights key findings from client outcomes surveys conducted by MicroTest members in 2008. This report summarizes data such as business start and survivability, business growth, job creation and retention, business contribution to the household and health insurance. Future issues will explore each of these topics in-depth.

Click here to see research reports and presentations from previous years.

Women's Opportunities Resource Center Client Outcomes Data Report highlights key findings from the client outcomes surveys conducted by WORC through the MicroTest project in 2008. The report interweaves text and simple charts and is being used to bolster state support for microenterprise.

MicroTest Client Outcomes Survey Demo (PowerPoint)
MicroTest also offers a simple but powerful tool for conducting outcomes tracking surveys of a microenterprise programs' clients. Please view the demo to walk through the Outcomes’ survey’s main features.

What does Client Outcomes Data Collection Look Like? (pdf)
How does collecting client outcomes data differ from program performance data? Consult our visual for a quick overview of the client survey process.

Sample Outcomes Custom Report (pdf)
MicroTest members participating in the Outcomes Survey project also receive a custom report that provides feedback on their clients' economic, business and employment experiences, as well as on clients in other MicroTest member programs.

MicroTest Intake Form English (Excel)
MicroTest has developed an intake form that is fully consistent with the intake data required to participate in the MicroTest program performance and client outcomes data collection. Also available in Spanish.

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