3rd Annual ''State of the Union'' Study for Small and Mid-Size Business Released by AllBusiness.com
Search Engines Now Listed as Top Source of Business Information
SAN FRANCISCO--(Business Wire)--AllBusiness.com, Inc. (www.allbusiness.com), a leading online
resource for businesses, today announced the results of its 2007
year-end "SMB State of the Union Study" and SMB Barometer. The study
found 74% of SMB (small and mid-size business) leaders list search
engines as their top source for business information to help them run
their company.
The study also found 63% of SMB leaders will be turning to search
engines even more going into the New Year. While "word of mouth" is
still a solid source of information at 71%, this marks the first time
in the "SMB State of the Union" study history that search was cited as
the top source.
Overall Business Sentiment Among SMBs is Positive
For the 3rd straight year-end forecast, SMBs are generally
optimistic about their business outlook for the coming year and say
the falling value of the dollar is their most important economic
concern. Other findings focused on SMB outlook included:
-- 55% of small business leaders planned to hold a holiday party
while 38% of small businesses did not. One recent survey of
bigger businesses indicated that 85% of companies hosted a
holiday party this year.
-- 30% of small business leaders were planning on giving year-end
bonuses and 33% were not.
-- 60% of small business leaders are concerned about the falling
value of the dollar while 23% are primarily concerned about
immigration.
-- 78% of small businesses took green measures this past year;
recycling paper and trash were the most common measure.
-- Overall, 73% of small business leaders are optimistic going
into 2008 dipping slightly from 75% in 2006 and 79% in 2005.
"We have been tracking the search habits of SMB decision makers
since the launch of our Web site, and we're excited to report that
search is now their dominant source of business information. This
indicates how deeply seated the Internet is as a primary business
tool. Search is where they start the research process and
increasingly, search is where they find the best answers," says Kathy
Yates, CEO of AllBusiness.com. "Given so many pessimistic forecasts
about interest rates, the housing sector, oil prices and a potential
recession, we're also gratified to see a dose of optimism within the
SMB community heading into 2008."
SMB Barometer Stays Steady and Growth Oriented
Launched near the end of 2005, AllBusiness.com's SMB Barometer
provides a numerical figure that measures overall SMB health by
reflecting the combined values of five components, including staffing
plans, business real estate trends, business branch plans, technology
investment and overall business outlook. The barometer reading is
currently at 63, the same that was reported 4th Quarter last year
signaling continued optimism.
About the "SMB State of the Union" Study
Frank N. Magid Associates prepared the "SMB State of the Union
Study" for AllBusiness.com surveying a national sample of more than
400 for-profit SMB leaders from October 16 through November 27, 2007.
Participants were 18 years or older and were the owner, partner,
president, CEO, COO or vice president at companies with no more than
499 employees. According to the Small Business Association, small
businesses represent 99.7% of all employers, currently employ half of
the private workforce (50.1%) and provide approximately 75% of the new
jobs added to the economy.
About AllBusiness.com, Inc.
AllBusiness.com, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dun & Bradstreet
(DNB), is a leading online resource for businesses. The Company
operates one of the Web's premier business sites, providing practical
information and services for business professionals and growing
businesses. The site includes how-to articles and videos, business
forms, contracts and agreements, expert advice, blogs, business news,
directory listings, business guides and more. In addition to its
flagship Web site, the Company's content can be accessed by its
content syndication program, RSS feeds and e-mail newsletters.
(www.allbusiness.com)
Padilla Speer Beardsley
Tony Berlin, 212-752-8338
tberlin@psbpr.com
or
AllBusiness.com
Dan Silmore, 415-694-5040
dsilmore@allbusiness.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
