Small Biz Maintaining Optimism

A recent report analyzes the attitudes entrepreneurs have in six different countries: the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Spain. According to Sys-Con Media, although business hasn’t been at its best, most entrepreneurs are still optimistic.

Forty three percent reported negative or no growth in revenue last year. Despite this performance and the general economic climate, 47% of all respondents were optimistic about the year ahead for their business, against 26% who were not and 27% who were not sure. The Germans and Dutch were the most optimistic, the British and Spanish the least.

The main motive for going into business was to be one’s own boss, rather than to make money. Sixty two percent defined business success as affording a comfortable lifestyle. Average working hours were 42.5 hours per week (suggesting an increase of two hours since February 2010). The Germans worked longest (average 46.9 hours) and the British worked shortest (39.4 hours). The most frequent lunchtime choice was a working lunch or sandwich at the desk. The Germans were most likely to skip lunch altogether (20%) – the Dutch and the French were least likely (6% and 7%). Forty three percent said that the economic downturn had caused them greater stress. The Spanish (60%) were the most stressed, the Dutch (26%) were the least. Nearly three in ten (29%) reported sleep problems (led by the French). But 28% said that the crisis had made them more determined to succeed, and 29% said it had made them work more efficiently.

Photo by Kevin Dooley

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