RENO, Nev. — Small-business decision-makers from across the country reported a relatively unchanged opinion about the U.S. economy but a slight increase in optimism about their own prospects for revenue growth in 2012 compared to last year, according to a recent small-business opinion poll.
The poll conducted by ORC International and commissioned by EMPLOYERS® revealed that 44% of small businesses believe the U.S. economy will improve in 2012. Last year, 46% believed the economy would be better the following year.
Small businesses are bullish about their own business revenue projections, with 45% expecting revenue growth vs. 17% expecting revenue declines.
Though 58% of small-business decision-makers report business-related worries keep them up at night, this is significantly improved compared to poll results from one year ago. This year, 40% responded they don’t worry about their businesses vs. 30% who didn’t have sleep-depriving worries in 2011. The latest poll also reveals that today’s small-business worries are more focused on issues related to growth (20%) rather than variables that are more out of respondents’ control, such as the economy.
Other notes:
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23% are currently at pre-recession revenue levels
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21% are currently hiring vs. just 15% a year ago
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21% plan to hire additional part-time or seasonal workers for the summer
