BNI survey reveals SMEs are cautiously confident
MOST small to medium-sized businesses are confident of growth in 2013 but remain nervous of making significant investments, a survey carried out by Business Network International has found.
The confidence survey, the first of its kind carried out in the Staffordshire and Shropshire BNI region, found that 80% of businesses expected better times in 2013 than in 2012 and 84% thought their businesses would grow this year.
But most businesses did not expect to invest significantly in the first half of the year.
Carl Evans, BNI director for Staffordshire and Shropshire, said: “Our findings indicate a broadly positive outlook for business opportunities in 2013. Many of our members are upbeat, but remain realistic.
“A significant number are also planning significant investment including taking on new staff. Since most of our members are SMEs, this is good news for UK Plc as it’s accepted that the SME sector will be the engine of economic recovery.
“However, members do appear to temper their optimism with some caution. This, perhaps, reflects sensible concern among SMEs not to over-reach themselves and play a waiting game to see how the economy develops in 2013.”
BNI networking groups, or chapters, in Stoke-on-Trent, Leek, Stone, Stafford, Tamworth and Telford took part in the survey.
The organisation’s members are drawn from a wide range of professions and trades, including electrical and plumbing services, construction, manufacturing, marketing, retail, business support, finance and legal services.
