Poll Shows Optimism For New Year

The majority of small-business owners will be focused on marketing, sales and investment in new technology in the new year to fuel continued growth in the small business sector, the fastest growing segment of the U.S. economy in 2005. According to a poll by SBTV.com, the online television network for small business, 89.3% of small-business owners responding ranked marketing and sales as their top priority in 2006, followed by investment in new technology (25.5%).
Small firms will also increase staffing in 2006, according to SBTV poll results. Small businesses employ more than two-thirds of the American workforce and, according to national statistics, about 25% of small businesses will be increasing their staffs in the first quarter of 2006. Additionally, 60% say they will not decrease staff during the new year.