Small Business Owners Are Highly Optimistic About 2017
Published On :
More Than Half Planning to Hire, Seek Capital and Drive Growth
Majorities Looking Ahead Favorably at New Political Landscape and the Job Market
Owners Looking for Ways to Minimize Taxes and Build Emergency Funds
A large percentage of American small business owners are optimistic for growth in 2017 with some important investments in their businesses, including hiring, according to a New York Life survey of more than 1,200 small business owners fielded recently by Ipsos Public Affairs. Interestingly, the optimism among small business owners significantly outpaces that of the general public.
Small Business Owners | Americans Age 30 and Up | |
Expect financial situation to improve in the coming year | 60% | 43% |
When asked about financial expectations for their business in 2017, 60 percent of small business owners are optimistic compared to 43 percent of Americans age 30 and over, who were asked the same question about their personal finances in a study New York Life issued in late December. This optimism can be attributed to a number of areas that small business owners expect will have a positive impact on their businesses:
- Technology – 75%
- The new political landscape – 57%
- The employment market/talent pool – 56%
- Interest rates – 54%
- Health insurance – 53%
“Small business owners are heading into 2017 with good feelings, and this was consistent across size and years in business,” said Brian Madgett, Vice President, New York Life.
Small Business Owners Are Building Their Companies in 2017:
Plan to incorporate mobile technology in my business | 66% |
Plan to network more with other business owners and/or professionals | 64% |
Plan to grow my company- e.g, open another location, increase revenues, expand capabilities, etc. | 62% |
Plan to seek additional capital | 55% |
Plan to hire more employees | 52% |
Plan to improve my employee benefits package | 49% |
Plan to take out a loan | 46% |
Some of the key planning steps (financial and otherwise) that small business owners are interested in taking throughout 2017 include:
- Learning about ways to minimize taxes – 79%
- Taking a family vacation – 75%
- Learning about ways to build an emergency fund – 71%
“Small business owners have big plans for 2017, with many looking to incorporate tech, seek capital, hire, improve offerings to employees and explore ways to better manage their money,” said Madgett. “We’re hearing positive economic sentiments across the country in our conversations with small business leaders. With this shift in attitude comes a renewed interest in financial planning and is no wonder that 55 percent report they plan to engage a financial professional for assistance as it relates to their business needs in 2017.”
About the Survey
These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted November 30 – December 8, 2016 on behalf of New York Life. For the survey, a sample of 1,244 U.S. adults over the age of 18 was interviewed online, in English. In order to qualify, respondents had to be owners of business that employed no more than 500 employees. After a sample has been obtained from the Ipsos panel, Ipsos calibrates respondent characteristics to be representative of the U.S. The source of these population targets is U.S. Census 2015 American Community Survey data. The sample drawn for this study reflects fixed sample targets on demographics. Post-hoc weights were made to the population characteristics on gender, age, region, race/ethnicity and income. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points for all respondents surveyed.
Wanda Rich has been the Editor-in-Chief of Global Banking & Finance Review since 2011, playing a pivotal role in shaping the publication’s content and direction. Under her leadership, the magazine has expanded its global reach and established itself as a trusted source of information and analysis across various financial sectors. She is known for conducting exclusive interviews with industry leaders and oversees the Global Banking & Finance Awards, which recognize innovation and leadership in finance. In addition to Global Banking & Finance Review, Wanda also serves as editor for numerous other platforms, including Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune.
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