SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS

The top concerns small business owners have for the success of their businesses in the next 12 months include—-

*Health care costs 77%
*Effectiveness of government leaders 76%
*Commodities prices 70%
*Strength of U.S. dollar 69%
*Consumer spending 63%

Source: Bank of America Small Business Owner Report, Fall 2013. A survey of 1,000 small business owners with annual revenues between $100,000 and $500,000 and employing between 2 and 99 employees.

WHERE DO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS GO FOR FINANCIAL ADVICE?

*Accountants/bookkeepers 75%
*Other small business owners 55%
*Financial Advisor 53%
*Banker 45%
*Family of friends 45%
*Lawyer 42%
*Online Sources 37%
*Nationally recognized small business experts 27%
*Non-profits or government agencies 25%

Source: Bank of America Small Business Owner Report, Fall 2013. A survey of 1,000 small businesses in the U.S. with annual revenue between $100,000 and $500,000 and employing between 2 and 99 employees.

EMAIL IS THE MOST POPULAR COMMUNICATION CHANNEL FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Forty-six percent (46%) of small businesses use email as their primary channel for business communication.  Why?  Small businesses cited ease of use (60%), cost effectiveness (59%), and familiarity (40%).

Source:  2013 Small Business Communications Benchmark Study conducted by Pitney Bowes.