Good Information Articles

U.S. Small Business Confidence Index Drops 3 Points; Nationwide Concern About Economy, Regional Pessimism About Revenue Growth Drive Key SBRB Indicato

NORTHFIELD, Ill. (BusinessWire EON) September 24, 2007 -- Businesses in the Northeast, Midwest and the South -- the same regions that provided the foundation for optimism in the first half of the year when the SBCI rose from 41 to 46 -- were the same regions that contributed to the third quarter decline. Each of those regions reported decreased confidence indexes signifying their concern about prospects for improvements in their business during the next 12 months, according to the report co-sponsored by International Profit Associates (IPA).

More than 800 small businesses participated in the SBRB poll.

The greatest loss of confidence is among businesses in the southern states where the confidence index dropped to 44 from the 50 recorded during the second quarter. Businesses in the western states, where the SBCI reached 47.66, were the only to report improved business prospects from the previous quarter. Businesses in the Northeast with an SBCI or 42.33 and the Midwest with an SBCI of 39.66 both were both below the national average of 43.

Nationally, 37% of the respondents said they believed the economy will improve the next 12 months which was a decline from the 43% reported during the second quarter.

The owners and managers of small businesses in each of the four regions all expressed greater concern about the economy.

The overall prospects for revenue increases for the next 12 months also contributed to the lower SBCI with 53% of the participants acknowledging they believe their sales will grow, a decrease of the 58% who said the same the previous quarter. Business in the South and West showed the greatest concern.

One improvement in the nationwide study is in hiring where 39% of the participants said they expect employment to increase during the next 12 months. This 2% increase from the summer 2007 poll was mostly supported by businesses in the western states where 45% believe they will add to their staff levels (up from 29%) and in the Midwestern states where 38% will boost employment (up from 36%).

"When looking at small business confidence from the start of 2007 and into the third quarter, two of the three most important indicators are flat or down," said Gregg M. Steinberg, President of IPA, based in Buffalo Grove, Il. IPA is the largest privately-held provider of management consulting services to small and medium-size businesses in North America.

"Only increases in hiring plans in each of the three reporting periods have buoyed the SBRB Small Business Confidence Index. Significantly, it might portend that businesses have had to and will increase hiring even though revenue is flat just to offset productivity decreases. As a result, the real crunch will be on operational efficiency," Steinberg added.

The opinions and projections about the strength of the economy, revenues and hiring looking forward 12 months are the three key ingredients to determining the SBCI and providing the basis for these quarterly and annual comparisons.

SBRB

CONFIDENCE INDEX

                                 ALL US      NE     MW   S/SE   W/Pac

                                ------- ------- ------ ------ -------

Q3 2007                              43   42.33  39.66     44   47.66

Q2 2007                              46   47.66  42.33     50   45.66

Q1 2007                           40.78   40.36  32.33  42.67   49.48

The Small Business Research Board ascertains and reports the opinions of small business owners and managers on a wide variety of topics related to their own businesses as well as national and international issues that may impact their operations. The universe of participants is developed from among small businesses across the United States. The SBRB study is a voluntary survey conducted via phone and email.

The latest information about the Small Business Research Board can be found at www.ipasbrb.com.

International Profit Associates, Inc. (IPA) is the largest privately-held provider of management consulting services to small and medium-size businesses in North America. IPA and its more than 1,800 professionals offer a wide range of proven and innovative methodologies to help businesses grow and prosper regardless of the economic cycle. IPA either provides directly or through its affiliated companies a comprehensive array of business advisory services, tax and estate planning services or merger, acquisition and other financial advisory services in the United States and Canada. More information about IPA can be found at www.ipa-iba.com.

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

MORE ARTICLES:

7 Tips for Home Business Start-up Success
1) Prepare a realistic business plan.Think of this as your business road map.

Tips For A Budget Family Camping Holiday
With the rising costs of everything in today?s society, it is difficult to afford a fun vacation for the whole family. Many people try to save throughout the year for that one special week on a beach or in a resort. Others give up on the idea altogether. With careful planning and forethought, almost any family can have a pleasant, memorable trip. Parents and kids alike will enjoy taking part in a budget family camping holiday. It doesn?t have to break the bank or cause a lot of stress. A few simple tips can make the fantasy a reality.

Brain Health Improved with Brain Wave Vibration
Our brains hold a vast amount of potential that remains untapped. Ilchi Lee (http://www.ilchi.com) has drawn upon his experience with ancient Asian practices and his philosophy of the brain to create modernized techniques that help us tap into that potential at every age. Called Brain Education, this training is available at Dahn Yoga Centers (http:llwww.dahnyoga.com). Lee gives instructions for a powerful brain-enhancing exercise, Brain Wave Vibration.

Bills.com CEO Suggests Summer Home Check-up
Get your home in bikini-season shape to protect property & finances.

Health insurance Tips
Usually, this type of health insurance is advisable to those who have to take frequent trips, especially abroad trips and whose job involves frequent journeys. Traveler?s health insurance provides you protection from recurring medical conditions and health conditions. You may be having a health insurance policy that did not admit insurance claims involving out-of-network costs, especially those incurred overseas. Under such circumstances traveler?s health insurance is best option to secure health care protection for you.

3 Real Work From Home Jobs
Imagine that you?ve just been out of a job ? not a very self-boosting image, but just imagine it hypothetically If this was about fifty years ago, you wouldn?t have many options to resume your way to earning a livelihood

Entering Business Aviation, Part I: Types of Aircraft
The jets that people fly in corporate aviation are usually a lot smaller than those found with the airlines. Exceptions to the rule are Boeing's BBJ and Airbus' Corporate Jet, both of which are based on some of the smaller types of aircraft marketed to the airlines.

eLocal Listing Offers Online Small Business Video Marketing Product
New online video product makes video marketing accessible for small businesses.

Medical Transcription Services And Your Healthcare Business
When you need high quality medical transcription services, an outsourced medical transcription team can manage the entire dictation-to-reporting cycle efficiently and with HIPAA compliance in mind While some healthcare organizations maintain their dictation and reporting projects in-house, most are turning to outsourced transcription services to save on costs and receive high quality reports and documents on a consistent basis

Start Up a Nude Photography Business
There are major obstacles to overcome to get into nude photography, not least of which is the need to practise technique. By its very nature there has to be at least one subject, and the big problem for the photographer here is image.

Toshiba Re-Launches Satellite Pro Notebook Series for Mobile Business Users
Toshiba's Digital Products Division, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced the Satellite Pro(R) A200 and Satellite Pro A210 notebook series -- a new line of affordable business-essential notebooks for mobile professionals.

Promoting Your Business With Travel Clocks
Travel clocks are an excellent promotional item They are both classy and useful, so your clients will enjoy using and displaying them

Sustainable Architecture: Going Green for Health and Comfort
Green design is about being environmentally friendly; but one sustainable architecture firm is building green homes to improve health and comfort for their clients as well. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, Carlton Architecture is a residential design firm dedicated to excellence in design, sustainable architecture, and sustainable housing. As innovators in their field, Carlton is showing the world that green doesn't mean sacrifice, and in fact it means houses that are healthier and more comfortable.

Boon or Boondoggle? Maui Conference More than a Write-off for Business Leaders
Success With People announced today the Maui Deep Dive, a conference for business executives and owners to be held at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa from April 27 ? May 3, 2008. Is this another opportunity to write off vacation as a business expense, or is it real business?