New Economic & Workforce Report: Small Business Climate Vastly Improved

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Feb 12, 2018, 11:37 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Small Business Association (NSBA) and ZipRecruiter today released the NSBA 2017 Year-End Economic Report, which shows decade-highs in small-business outlook. For the first time since 1997, the majority of small firms—53 percent—reported increases in revenues, and the overwhelming majority—84 percent—are confident in the future of their business.

"In the past two years, the number of small-business owners who say they expect to see an economic expansion in the next year has more than doubled," stated NSBA President Todd McCracken. "Unfortunately, the ever-rising cost of healthcare remains the biggest challenge small businesses face."

Featured in the report is a section on workforce and hiring, which zeroes in on hiring practices, wages and automation issues, as well as recruitment and retention trends. Although 37 percent of small business owners have increased part-time employees in the past five years, the majority were new part-time employees, whereas just 17 percent reduced current full-time employees to part-time.

And while one-third of small businesses expect to implement some kind of automation in the next year, of those, only nine percent say it will result in fewer employees. In fact, many more (24 percent) say it will result in needing more employees.

"We tend to think of corporate America when we think of career ladders, however small businesses have ample opportunities for career growth," stated Cathy Barrera, chief economist at online employment marketplace ZipRecruiter. "Sixty-six percent of all small businesses offer opportunities for promotion, and at companies with more than five employees, that number rises to 85 percent."

There were few surprises when it comes to policy, particularly the fact that "end the partisan gridlock and work together" is the number one thing small businesses want policymakers to do.

Please click here to download the full report.

About NSBA: Celebrating 80 years in operation, NSBA is a staunchly nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of America's entrepreneurs. NSBA's 65,000 members represent every state and every industry in the U.S. Please visit www.nsba.biz or follow us at @NSBAAdvocate.

About ZipRecruiter: ZipRecruiter is the fastest-growing online employment marketplace. Powered by industry-leading artificial intelligence matching technology, it connects millions of SMBs and job seekers through innovative mobile, web, and email services. Founded in 2010, Santa Monica-based ZipRecruiter now has close to 1000 employees in two states and three countries.

SOURCE National Small Business Association