High Hopes
FedEx Office released the findings of its third annual Sign of the Times national small business survey. The study, conducted in April, finds that small business owners are more optimistic now relative to their views last year at this time. They look forward to leading the U.S. out of its protracted recession, as 72% expect to be the driving force of the economic recovery in 2010. Half of those surveyed stated that their businesses have recovered or will fully recover by year-end. Perhaps these findings should be taken with a pinch of salt, as the survey was conducted before the Gulf Coast oil spill changed the outlook for our energy markets. Nevertheless, other findings of the survey continue to resonate. About 42% of small business owners are considering increasing spending on marketing and advertising initiatives this year and 30% may increase spending on sales programs. It is encouraging to read that small businesses see the opportunity for growth in the recession; perhaps opportunities that were previously out of reach have now become affordable. That is certainly my experience. To read the full FedEx Sign of the Times survey and learn of the sentiment of your peers in the small business community, click here.