Survey shows businesses optimistic about New Year

•Business owners anticipate increases in revenue, capital spending and hiring Newton — The Alternative Board, an organization that offers real world advice to small to medium-size businesses, has just released its 2007 forecasting survey, with results that show business owners in the United States are optimistic about the growth of their companies this year. According to Marcy Turkington, a Northwest Jersey/Poconos-based Certified Facilitator, the data gathered from the survey forecasts relevant opinions to promote the awareness of the concerns facing the business world. What is encouraging for the small and medium-size businesses in general, Turkington said, is that more than 60 percent of those surveyed said they were optimistic about the future of the economy. “The survey was created to identify the needs and concerns of business owners so we can create a better awareness for the opportunities and challenges facing owners of small and medium-size businesses,” Turkington said. “What we found most interesting for the 2007 economy is that the business owners surveyed projected an increase in their revenues, capital spending and hiring for 2007.” One component of the survey evaluated U.S. board members who receive regular peer advice and business coaching, saying they expected substantial increases in several areas of business. For example, more than 80 percent of them anticipated an increase in revenue. And more than 60 percent of the business owners predicted they would hire more employees, while 35 percent projected they would have the same amount of employees. About half of the business owners expected their capital spending would remain relatively flat in 2007. While it is easy to see that business owners are looking forward to the future, the survey also reveals pressing concerns that they have about their business, which are in the areas of sales, marketing, human resources, finances and managing growth. “What many small and medium-size business owners find most challenging is the lack of practical, seasoned advice on the concerns that are pressing on them the most,” Turkington said. “TAB’s peer advisory boards and coaching solutions are designed to help business owners develop ideas, insight and solutions from other business leaders who can speak of similar situations they have experienced first-hand.” The survey was administered to small- and medium-size business owners throughout both the United States and Canada. For more information about this survey or to find out more about the services offered by The Alternative Board, contact Turkington at 973-940-2020.