Economy Keeping Small Biz. Owners Tossing, Turning at Night

May 11, 2009 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - A new survey by a Reno, Nevada, small business insurance provider found nearly two-thirds confess their businesses keep them awake at night.

A news release about the survey by Employers Holdings, Inc. said respondents worry most about the economy, growing and maintaining their business, meeting operating expenses, and about their business closing.

More than half (55%) of small businesses do not believe the initial federal stimulus bill included enough provisions to benefit them. “America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs will play a more profound role than ever in driving growth in the next economic cycle,” said Douglas Dirks, president and CEO, Employers Holdings, Inc., in the news release.

Additional small business decisionmaker sentiments garnered from the survey include:

  • Small business decisionmakers are evenly split on whether the Obama Administration will be a stronger advocate for small businesses than the Bush Administration (47% vs. 47%, with 6% undecided);
  • 72% expect their 2009 revenue to stagnate or decline in 2009;
  • 81% expect to cut costs in some way in 2009;
  • 42% expect to eliminate or cut back expenses in 2009; and
  • 21% expect to lay off workers in 2009.

Data was collected through telephone interviews held February 19 – March 2, 2009 (for stimulus bill-related data) and December 11 – 22, 2008 (for sleep loss data). The survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation.

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