SmallBusinessNewz

Where Are Small Businesses Spending Their Marketing Budgets?

Microsoft is sharing some survey results from BIA/Kelsey about small businesses. The results were presented at the ILM West conference in San Francisco. The main takeaways are as follows:

Small Businesses Still Hesitant When It Comes To Hiring

The economy still seems to be affecting small businesses - especially when it comes to growth and the hiring of new employees.According to the CBIZ Small Business Emplyoment Index (SBEI), a barometer for hiring trends, October saw a decrease in hiring among companies with 300 employees or fewer.  In October, the index fell 1.28%, after already falling .81% in September.

Small Business Optimism Lowest of the Year

There's a new small business owner optimism survey out from Wells Fargo, and it's not the prettiest.  Small business owner optimism for the future has fallen to its lowest point of the year, according to the survey. The survey was conducted early in the month, but future expectations have been dropping since the first quarter. 

Small Business CEOs Predict Continued Economic Slowdown

It appears that small to mid sized business CEOs aren't very optimistic about the pace of economic growth, in fact they expect the current economic situation to persist looking forward at least a year.

Most Businesses Unprepared for Data Disasters, Says Survey

New research from Carbonite finds that the majority of small businesses are not prepared for a data disaster.

Older People Flocking to Facebook, Other Social Networks

The Pew Internet Project has just released some findings from a survey it conducted over a one month period that give us a look into the shifting demographics of the world of social media.The main takeaway:  Social media use within the older demographic is on the rise.That's right, places like Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace are expanding from institutions for the young to institutions for everyone.

Very Few Small Business Owners Say Social Media "A Must"

As we sit firmly entrenched in the social media revolution, many small and medium sized businesses have taken cues from larger corporations when it comes to building a presence.Is social media integration a good idea for small business?  Is it a necessity?  A recent survey concludes that despite its prevalence, social media is not yet seen as a "must-do" by owners.

Businesses Acquiring Funding, Yet Optimism Still Declines

The latest business feedback survey from the National Small Business Association comes as the stock market has one of its worst days in recent memory. U.S. stocks took a dive today in the biggest drop since the 2008 financial crisis.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped over 500 points as investors lose faith in both the American and European economies.  This huge drop today is the culmination of a terrible few weeks on Wall Street.  People are worried about the economy. 

Businesses Taking Wait and See Approach on Recovery

Insperity released its Business Confidence Survey, finding that small business owners are slowly proceeding with growth plans in 2011, but 40% are delaying their expectations of an economic rebound to the first quarter of 2012 or later still.  Only 12% think an economic recovery  is currently under way. That's down from 23% in May. 

Survey Finds Most Small Business Owners Plan on Hiring Next Quarter

TD Bank released the results from a new poll of 300 small business owners, aimed at gaining perspective on their outlook for the economy, hiring, revenue, etc. These business owners are all from within the Bank's region of coverage, which extends the length of the East Coast, from Maine to Florida.  The good news, is that most plan on hiring more and and meet or exceed revenue projections.  Here are the key findings: