01. Overall, how satisfied are you with the condition of the economy as it affects your business -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied?
Apr ‘07
Oct ‘06
4%
6%
very satisfied
21%
27%
somewhat satisfied
25%
33%
Total SATISFIED
36%
38%
somewhat dissatisfied
38%
25%
very dissatisfied
74%
63%
Total DISSATISFIED
1%
4%
Undecided/don’t know
02. Over the next six months, would you say that your business outlook is good or bad?
Apr‘07
Oct ‘06
15%
23%
very good
39%
41%
somewhat good
54%
64%
Total GOOD
8%
8%
Some ways good/some ways bad
22%
16%
somewhat bad
13%
8%
very bad
35%
24%
Total BAD
3%
4%
Undecided/don’t know
03. Over the next six months, do you expect your bottom line to improve with profits growing over expenses, will your bottom line worsen with costs taking a larger share of profits, or, do you think your bottom line will pretty much remain the same? Would that be a lot or somewhat?
Apr ‘07
Oct ‘06
3%
5%
improve a lot
15%
17%
improve somewhat
18%
22%
Total IMPROVE
--%
2%
Costs will exceed profits (volunteered)
48%
49%
Costs will remain the same
20%
13%
worsen somewhat
9%
6%
worsen a lot
29%
19%
Total WORSEN
5%
8%
Undecided/don’t know
04a – c. What would you say are the top two or three concerns that you have about your business?
Apr ‘07
Oct ‘06
Apr ‘07
Oct ‘06
19%
19%
Economy
1%
1%
Advertising costs
10%
18%
Customers/Lack of
1%
1%
Location
7%
5%
Health care/costs
1%
––%
Auto industry
7%
––%
Increased costs
1%
––%
Regulations
7%
––%
Taxes
1%
2%
State government/legislation
6%
––%
Not enough sales
1%
––%
Utilities
5%
2%
Unemployment
––%
7%
Bottom line
3%
2%
Competition
––%
7%
Revenue
3%
1%
State budget
––%
4%
Supply costs
3%
––%
Cash flow
––%
3%
Employee retention
3%
––%
Qualified customers
––%
3%
Finding right people/good employees
3%
––%
Service tax
––%
3%
Insurance costs
3%
––%
Staffing
––%
2%
Member involvement
2%
5%
Fuel costs/prices
––%
1%
Climate of depression
2%
3%
Housing market
––%
1%
Energy costs
2%
––%
Bankruptcy
––%
1%
School budget cuts
2%
––%
Customer satisfaction
––%
1%
Statewide elections
2%
––%
Growth/no growth
––%
1%
Technology
2%
––%
Single business tax
––%
1%
Weather
1%
3%
Property tax/taxes
05. Over the next six months, do you plan to hire more employees, maintain the number of employees you have, or, do you expect that you might have to lay off some of your employees?
Apr ‘07
Oct ‘06
69%
66%
Will maintain number of employees
16%
21%
Plans to hire more employees
5%
4%
Will lay off employees (volunteered)
7%
3%
May have to lay off employees
3%
6%
Undecided/don’t know
06. In the next six months, do you plan to increase wages for your employees?
Apr ‘07
Oct ‘06
27%
38%
Yes
67%
53%
No
6%
9%
Undecided/don’t know
07. In the next six months, do you anticipate that the benefit package for your employees will stay the same or change?
Apr ‘07
Oct ‘06
81%
81%
Benefits will stay the same
12%
10%
Benefits will change
--%
1%
Change for some/stay the same for others (volunteered)
