Key Economic Recovery Trends in the US & Canada

2 2011 STATE OF SMALL BUSINESS Key Econo mic Recovery Trends For US & Canada CHALLENGES ACCESS TO CREDIT/CAPITAL Finding access to credit and capital is a challenge to 70% of owners seeking it FINDING NEW CUSTOMERS 8/10 small businesses report finding new customers to be a challenge PERCENTAGE OF BUSINESSES WHO CONSIDER ACCESS TO CREDIT/CAPITALA CHALLENGE PERCENTAGE OF BUSINESSES WHO CONSIDER FINDING NEW CUSTOMERS A CHALLENGE E 70% 65% D = 84% 76% D GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS RETAINING CUSTOMERS 4/5 of small businesses reported the Half of small businesses call III same or increased costs associated retaining customers a challenge with government regulations PERCENTAGE OF BUSINESSES WHO CONSIDER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONSA CHALLENGE PERCENTAGE OF BUSINESSES WHO CONSIDER RETAINING CUSTOMERS A CHALLENGE E 86% 94% O E 48% 50% O TAXES HEALTHCARE COSTS 86% of small businesses consider 65% of small businesses saw a taxes a challenge healthcare cost increase in 2010 PERCENTAGE OF BUSINESSES WHO CONSIDER TAXES A CHALLENGE PERCENTAGE OF BUSINESSES WHICH SAW AN INCREASE 87% 77% D E 70% 22% D OPTIMISM FOR THE FUTURE HOW BUSINESSES ARE ADAPTING ECONOMY I 60% of small business owners expect the state of the economy to improve in 2011 8 out of 10 small businesses maintained or increased marketing expenses in 2010 60% 70% of small business owners are currently taking strategic action to adapt, reduce or improve their tax situation 62% of small business owners are optimistic about their own business' 5x as many small businesses maintained or increased their pricing vs decreased their pricing success in the economy T HE ALTERNATI VE B O AR D AD VA NTAGE Members of The Alternative Board vs. Non-Members: Small business 76% owners involved 8% less likely to have had decreased profits in 2010 8% more likely to increase in The Alternative revenue 62% Board feel more optimistic than their peers about their business' 17% less likely to report 11% more likely to increase employee salaries increased cost of materials success in the 1 in 4 TAB members increased the pricing of their product or services in 2010 current economy The Alternative Board is an exclusive, membership-based organization that helps business owners achieve profitability, productivity, and personal fulfilliment through the use of peer advisory boards and private business coaching.Throue a piaionat NS most- e platform of knowledge and guidance, The Alternative Board delivers real world rs most. The Alternative Board has k.com/The AlternativeBoard AERatine been heininrs that provides a results driven advantage to haie business . information visit www.TheAlternativeBoard. owners succeed for over 20 vears, For more sstay focus rom andw business THE ALTERNATIVE BOARD