Home |
Press
Room |
Press Release Archives | Small Businesses Continue To Struggle
Small Businesses Continue to Struggle Despite Slightly Improved Economy,
According to Decision Analyst's 2011 U.S. Small Business Study
Arlington, Texas—Decision Analyst's 2011 U.S. Small Business
Report reveals that the country's small businesses are still mired in recession
and pessimism, although actual conditions were slightly improved in early 2011.
Small businesses report that “business activity” is better in 2011,
compared to 2010 and 2009, although the improvement is slight. Even so, there
are still more small firms reporting “weak” business activity than
“strong” business activity in 2011. From 2009 to 2011, the percentage
of small businesses reporting “very strong” business activity increased
from 7% to 10%, while those reporting “somewhat strong” business
activity increased from 15% to 19%.
“Small businesses in the U.S. are still facing major
headwinds in 2011,” said Jerry W. Thomas, President/CEO of Decision Analyst.
“Overall, the nation's small businesses continue to struggle financially,
many because of inadequate credit. This does not bode well for the unemployment
numbers in 2011, since small businesses must do better before they can be the
great engines of job creation.”
In 2011, the smaller the business, the greater the chance that
its business activity was less than robust. For instance, business activity
was very strong for only 7% of companies with less than 10 employees, compared
to a range of 13%-17% for companies with 10-99 employees. Fifteen percent of
companies with less than 10 employees reported “somewhat strong”
business activity, compared to 18%-27% of companies with 10-99 employees.
Small businesses of all sizes report decreased credit availability.
Thirty-four percent lack adequate credit, when combining those who don't use
credit and those with less than adequate credit (assuming that the “Do
not use credit or borrow money” category is largely the result of no credit
available). There is slightly improved access over the past three years among
those with more than adequate credit, but still small businesses continue to
cite diminished credit availability in 2011.
The full Decision Analyst 2011 U.S. Small Business Report is available for download in PDF format. For more information, email bharrin@decisionanalyst.com .
Methodology
Survey participants were from Decision Analyst's Executive
Advisory Board®, a worldwide group of more than 100,000 business leaders
(from managers, executives, and directors of smaller companies to those in the
largest corporations). The objective of this
annual survey is to monitor the well-being and actions of small businesses (<100
employees) in the U.S. and five other countries.
Decision Analyst's Small Business Survey was conducted online
using its Executive Advisory Board®, one of the world's largest online panels
of executives and managers (more than 100,000 members). These respondents were
invited via email to Decision Analyst's DAISurvey™ website to complete
the survey. This press release summarizes the findings for the U.S. portion
of the survey. The margin of sampling error is less than 2 percentage points,
plus or minus, at a 95% confidence level.
About Decision Analyst
Decision Analyst (www.decisionanalyst.com) is a global marketing research and analytical consulting firm specializing in strategy research, new product research, advertising testing, and advanced modeling for marketing-decision optimization. The 33-year-old firm delivers competitive advantage to clients throughout the world in the consumer packaged goods, telecommunications, retail, technology, medical, and automotive industries.
For additional information contact:
Brooke Harrington
Publicity
Email: bharrin@decisionanalyst.com
Phone: 1-800-ANALYSIS (262-5974) or 1-817-640-6166
Address: 604 Avenue H East
Arlington, TX 76011
Visit our Logos & Images page for photographs and logos, if needed.
Related Services
Brochures
Related Case Studies
