Small Businesses Resilient Despite Recession
Even though a majority of owners say the recession isn’t over, small businesses have found a silver lining from its occurrence, according to new survey findings.
Of the 500 owners polled in the nationwide survey conducted by Citibank Small Business, 24% said they had gained market share and 32% said access to talent improved.
“The results of this survey clearly demonstrate the resiliency of small business owners and their dedication to their goals even in less than ideal times,” said Maria Veltre, executive vice president of Citi’s small business segment. “Their ability to adapt and change in the face of the current economic conditions is what makes them vital to our economic recovery.
Employees seem to be more satisfied now too, according to the findings. Among companies with 20 to 99 employees, 36% reported an improved commitment and work ethic in employees. Additionally, 31% of owners reported that employee retention had improved as did 20% of companies in the manufacturing and construction industries. Such improvements will mean significant savings in recruitment and training expenses. But if hiring is a necessity many owners aren’t complaining since 32% say the availability of high quality talent for hire has improved.However, the storm hasn’t passed just yet. About half of small businesses are cutting back on payroll services and employee recruiting services.
Many owners are making temporary adjustments to neutralize the effect of
the economy on their business. Sixty percent say they are spending less on advertising, 42% say they’re making greater use of their company’s Website to generate business leads and sales, and nearly four in 10 are asking current customers for more business and for referrals.—Marcia Wade Talbert
Young Married Women More Money Savvy Than Spouses
Young wives are more money savvy than their spouses, according to a study by FindLaw.com, an online legal resource center.
Married women between the ages of 18 and 34 are the most likely among married couples to play a significant role in managing the couple’s finances, and less likely to squabble with their spouses about money, according to findings.
The study
also found that younger women are more likely to manage the household finances by themselves, rather than letting their spouses handle it or managing the money together. Thirty-seven percent of young married women say they handle all the household finances, compared with only 30% of young married men.“Money and marriage are inevitably intertwined,†said Stephanie Rahlfs, an attorney and editor with FindLaw.com. “Property rights, joint responsibilities and obligations, and legal benefits are as much a part of marriage as vows and wedding rings. How much couples know about their finances and how they decide to manage their money are important issues as couples go through their married life together,†she added.
The survey found that while money is the primary issue most married couples fight about, younger women are more likely to fight about their partner’s bad habits than money. In fact, money is tied for third with issues involving relatives and in-laws, after bad habits and having or raising children.
Whether it’s income, debt, net worth, retirement savings, or credit score, most younger women knew the details about their spouse’s finances before they got married. By contrast, less than half of younger men say they knew their wife’s net worth, retirement savings, or credit score before they got married.
The FindLaw.com survey was conducted using a telephone survey of 1,000 American adults and has a margin of error of 3%.
— Renita Burns