A new test which tries to identify the skills needed to be a successful owner manager, has been copyrighted by IBEC, the Small Firms Association and the occupational psychologists Saville and Holdsworth.

It is claimed the test is unique internationally and the three organisations have plans to sell it commercially in Europe and elsewhere.

Those attending today's Enterprise Ireland exhibition are invited to see how they measure up.

The test consists of a specially-prepared questionnaire, followed by a 20-minute session with an occupational psychologist who will "assess" their skills and competencies.

The questionnaire tries to ascertain an individual's ability to carry out certain activities, for example, the ability to recognise the threat posed by competitors. The person is asked how confident they are in this area.

If they say they are "very confident" or just "confident", the psychologist will ask them to point to examples of where they have proven this.

According to Ms Laura Phelan, from Saville and Holdsworth, the team involved will not be "afraid" to tell people they do not have the proper skills, but the aim is to identify strengths and weaknesses.

The test concentrates on four key "areas of competency" which are needed to make a success of small business. Among these are analytical capability, people orientation, strategic vision and "energy for enterprise".

The test is unique because it is designed specifically for small business and is based on research with over 100 owner managers. The project received funding from the EU's "Adapt" programme.

The genesis of the test was a series of workshops undertaken with successful owner managers.

"We analysed the data from our workshops and pulled together the key competencies and skills that owner-managers need," says Ms Phelan.

Resulting from this, the questionnaire was drafted and the test was formalised.

The commercial possibilities of the test are considerable, according to IBEC's Mr Liam Doherty who says meetings have already been held with training providers in Britain who want to use it.

"We would hope to supply it all over Europe if we can, although it will have to be modified for local conditions," he says.

The test is normally undertaken as part of a three-day session, which includes offering the questionnaire to the aspiring owner manager's colleagues.

It could have wider applications in career counselling, mentoring or for larger organisations who intend to devolve into small business units.