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NASE Survey Results Topics that Are Important to Small-Business Owners Here’s a snapshot of how micro-business owners feel about the hot topics of the day.
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How Do You Handle Tough Economic Times? (Nov 2008)
| Respondents: 515 | | As the economic crisis facing our nation and the world continues to deepen,
the self-employed and micro-business owners will have to make tough decisions
regarding the operation of their business. Please take this short survey to tell
us how you are presently handling or plan to address the tough economic times
ahead. | | | 1. How much of an impact is the slow economy having on your business at
the present time? | 50% | Significant impact on my business | | 21% | Moderate impact on my business | | 19% | Slight impact on my business | | 08% | No impact on my business | | 02% | No Opinion | | | | 2. In your current business, how does this economic downturn compare to
previous periods of a slowing economy? | 43% | This economic downturn is the worst I have experienced. | | 16% | This economic downturn is similar to hard economic times I have experienced
previously. | | 06% | This economic downturn is not as bad as hard times I have experienced in the
past. | | 26% | This economic downturn is the first I have experienced with my current
business. | | 08% | No opinion | | | | 3. What actions in your business are you considering to address the
difficult economic climate? (Choose ALL that apply.) | 10% | Lower prices of products and/or services | | 17% | Scale back the purchase of inventory or equipment | | 11% | Downsize staff (i.e. let go some employees) or refrain from hiring new
staff | | 09% | Cut benefits for myself and/or my employees (i.e. health care; 401K
contributions) | | 09% | Institute temporary pay cuts for myself and/or my employees | | 06% | Attempt to obtain loans to shore up my business | | 14% | Use my personal savings to shore up my business | | 09% | Increase use of credit cards to assist with cash flow difficulties
| | 04% | Close the doors of my business | | 11% | No change in the way I am conducting business | | 02% | No opinion | | | | 4. Which has experienced the larger negative impact from this economic
crisis? | 32% | My business | | 54% | My family’s personal finances | | 14% | No opinion | | | | 5. What are your expectations for your 2008 year end gross revenue? | 24% | Higher than 2007 | | 18% | Stay the same | | 51% | Lower than 2007 | | 07% | No Opinion | |
Survey Results
- Self-Employed and the Economy
The nation’s smallest businesses are still feeling negative effects of the economy, including cash flow issues for business and family, according to a new survey by the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE). Three-quarters of the self-employed and micro-businesses owners say their company provides the main source of income in their household.
- Can You Keep Your Health Plan Once the Health Reform Law Kicks In?
One big promise made during the reform debate was that you will be able to keep the health plan you currently have, if you like it. To follow up on this promise, the Administration recently issues new regulations on "grandfathered" or existing health plans. The NASE recently conducted a survey of micro-business owners to determine their perspective on these rules and whether they think they will be able to keep their existing health plan post-reform.
- U.S. Energy Policy (June 2010)
Whether you open a local or national newspaper or turn on the TV or radio, we cannot escape the daily news coverage of our nation's worst oil spill which continues to rage on in the Gulf. In light of this environmental disaster, the NASE sought the opinion of its membership on U.S. energy policy and what key proposals should be the focus of policymakers.
- Increased Tax Regulation on Small Business (May 2010)
Many of the nation’s entrepreneurs are about to become more familiar with the IRS. According to a new law set to go into effect in 2012, business owners must report annually every payment for goods or services over $600, utilizing IRS Form 1099. A new survey by the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) found that the average self-employed and micro-business (those with fewer than 10 employees) currently issues two Form 1099 per year. Under the new law, the same business will have to issue roughly 27 reports, mostly to large corporations.
- The Clock is Ticking on Health Reform: What Do You Think? (March 2010)
Companies with fewer than 10 employees – micro-businesses – are asking Congress to keep in mind that a big part of being able to create jobs and grow their companies depends largely on their ability to pay for health coverage. Self-employed business owners say that access and choice of providers/benefits is less important to their businesses than lower bottom line costs. With the clock ticking on a final vote in Congress on health reform, the online poll conducted by the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) received over 1,200 responses regarding the concerns of the self-employed about health reform.
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