ROI-NA Research Shows Fear Still Controls Small Business Owners' Hiring Plans

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Small businesses are afraid to hire employees, despite October's slight increase of 151,000 job openings, according to Dave Danzig, President of ROI-NA Consulting, a full-service business development group and general management consulting firm that helps small and medium-size businesses maintain positive cash flow, control costs and accelerate profitable growth.

Although net job openings exceeded most economists' expectations, they were not enough to change the unemployment rate of 9.6%. "Employers still lack confidence the economy will improve appreciably over the next several months even though the number of private sector layoffs is the lowest it has been in four years," said Danzig, whose business consultancy firm provides strategic management services.  

"Historically, recessions are followed by more rapid recovery than this one evidences. As a result, many employers fear hiring or taking any action to expand their market share," he said.

Fear has transformed owners' perceptions of elements common to business such as budgeting, accounting, marketing, and management into almost insurmountable problems.

"The natural reaction for many is to wait and see what shakes out. Unfortunately, those who sit back will be the ones shaken out. Owners must pro-actively grow themselves out of it," said Danzig. "More people contact us now than ever before for help. We advise them to market their goods and services aggressively and control their costs tightly in order to fight their way back to profitability."  

Fortune 500 companies have always used multiple outside resources. Small businesses also have a variety of companies available for objective perspectives and solid support and should use that valuable collaboration as often as possible.

"Look for a consulting company with a broad range of expertise and experience that is a good cultural fit. Communicate openly and directly with them and hold consultants accountable for delivering specific outcomes. However, do not expect miracles to be delivered in a matter of days," Danzig advised.

About ROI-NA

ROI-NA is a full-service business development group and general management consulting firm focused on small and medium-size, privately held companies in North America.

We help small and medium-size businesses maintain positive cash flow, control costs and accelerate profitable growth, allowing entrepreneurs and managers to make the most of their work and their lives.

The company also features expertise in employee stock options, business valuations, tax planning, negotiation and arbitration representation, succession planning, estate planning and IPOs. For more information, please see the company's website: http://www.roi-na.com  

SOURCE ROI-NA