Survey Confirms Entrepreneurship is Alive and Kicking
If the state of the current economy leaves you uncertain about the future, don't despair. Instead, take a good look inward and remember how you came to be an entrepreneur. After all, it appears that even when unemployment is on the rise, sales are on the decline and the dollar is, well, just simply degenerating, the spirit of entrepreneurship still shines through.
A new survey commissioned by Elance and Microsoft Office Live Small Business and conducted by independent research firm Decision Analyst collected insight from 600 small-business owners across the nation. The survey, released today, determined that nearly 90 percent of respondents would still prefer to start their own business rather than work for someone else, despite the economic downturn.
In addition:
- 40 percent indicate that they have a positive outlook for their business in 2009.
- 76 percent said they would maintain their current levels of staffing throughout 2009.
- 67 percent said that profitability is the most important priority for them in 2009.
The survey also questioned small-business owners regarding their presence on the web. Here are the key findings:
- A majority of respondents do not have a presence on the web even though 43 percent indicate that having a web presence is extremely or very important to the success of their business, and 71 percent report using e-mail and/or online advertising to market their business.
- Money, time and expertise are the key barriers to having a presence on the web, with 60 percent reporting that they spent less than $500 on their websites in 2008.
- Most small-businesses owners would rather do something other than web design.
- Web design/consulting is one area where small-business owners would look for freelance consulting help, with marketing coming in second.
- Most small-business owners would try and redesign the site themselves, or ask a friend for help. About 20 percent would search online for a consultant to help them with web design.
So the next time headlines about our struggling economy give you the blues, find your spirit and continue onward. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and kicking and simply can't be broken.
Started my own business about a year ago and it was the best thing that I could have ever done. 24/7 childcare in a center. Nothing beats entrepreneurship.
Thanks for sharing all the stuff.
Hail the mighty entrepeneur who spits into the wind and is nimble and quick enough to move out of the way and keep going.
Thank you all for making America...
Today, more than ever, people want more control over their destiny. Downsizing, rightsizing, lay offs, have left many in a state of despair. Its truly inspiring to me, that we live in a country where anything is possible and . . . we can take the driver's seat back and and put the pedal to the metal towards success!
Thanks for a great post!
Paul Castain
http://salesplaybook.blogspot.com/
I love reading articles like this one. Entrepreneurship needs to be alive and well in this country, because entrepreneurship spurs the creativity that our business community so desperately needs.
The current economic crisis will provide a new outlook on partnering with other businesses to provide key services (note - I do NOT like the word outsourcing when it comes to entrepreneurs, because entrepreneurs partner to create something that is larger than the sum of the parts!). I have started my own business planning and financial analysis consulting firm focused on other small businesses who need strategic accounting and finance advice on an on-demand basis. There's little doubt in my mind that other firms focused on partnering with entrepreneurs will grow in the post-subprime environment.
Great article! I've heard many times, 'Why would you invest in your own business now, during such bad economic times?' This is the best time! People are looking for something else, and it's time to take matters into their own hands and not rely on working for someone else. We need to create our own stability. www.beabundancenow.com
People are still strongly interested in starting their own business because they know that it can offer more stability than working for someone else can. I think with the ways things are going now, it's a great time for people to at least start something on the side, if they aren't quite ready to jump ship on their corporate job. And, contrary to sometimes popular belief, it doesn't take hundreds of thousands of dollars. But, of course, this is coming from a firm believer in 'bootstrapping'!
www.bootstrapbusiness.org
I did enjoy this article. I too agree that Entrepreneurship is alive and well -- what recession or downturn?
http://www.tazsol.com --> We're here to support small businesses!
Well that's at least good to hear. There have been so many depressing outlooks on the economy and the future and as much as I understand their fears and confusion, having a pessimistic point of view is not going to help anything. Hopefully this year will solve a lot of problems and things will get going again.
Click and Inc http://www.clickandinc.com
Call me crazy, but I'd say that this is the best time for anyone interested in starting their own business to do so, especially if they find themselves unemployed. I actually just quit my job about a month ago to start-up my own business. As a side project I started a blog targeted to others like me who are taking on big challenges and facing risks to do something they love. Check it out at www.theunderdogblog.com and please feel free to leave some comments. Thanks.
Cheers to the spirit of entrepreneurs. I profoundly agree! Come rain or shine, or recession we entrepreneurs will rise to the challenge and succeed.