Jul 2 2007
Taxes along with energy and fuel costs were the leading concerns of construction and contracting businesses during the second quarter of 2007 according to the latest Small Business Research Board (SBRB) study released here today.
Owners of construction and contracting businesses responding to the nationwide poll co-sponsored by International Profit Associates (IPA) said health care costs, which had been the single most significant issue during the first quarter of 2007, fell to fifth. Finding quality employees and the general state of the economy finished third and fourth on the list of concerns.
IPA, with more than 1,800 professionals, is the largest privately-held provider of management consulting services to small and medium-size businesses in North America. IPA is based in Buffalo Grove, IL.
The quarterly poll of small business owners and managers also measured their interest in expanding their operations over the next 12 to 24 months. Fewer than one-third (31%) said they intend to expand during this period. Of those respondents, 34% said they are considering expanding at current locations, while 16% indicated they intend to increase customer service and 14% said they will provide more services. The addition of locations and adding new products tied for fourth with 10% of the owners reporting they are considering such plans in each of those categories.
Training is viewed as a primary measure for improving productivity. Improved staff training ranked first among the options for enhancing business efficiency during the second quarter. These same owners also said they would add staff (second) before improving automated systems (third) and adding new automation and technology (fifth).
"It is key for the construction and contracting businesses to invest in training, especially in respect to their optimistic hiring plans for the next 12 months," said Gregg M. Steinberg, President of IPA.
"The SBRB recently reported that its Constructions and Contracting Industry Small Business Confidence Index (SBCI) rose 4.6 points to 48 during the second quarter. The increase was driven entirely from plans for more hiring. If these businesses do not invest in their management processes, then they are going to rely more heavily on creating systems to enhance employee productivity to achieve operating goals," Steinberg added.
More than 100 small business owners participated in the nationwide construction and contracting industry poll. The universe of participants is developed from among small businesses across the United States. The SBRB study is a voluntary survey conducted quarterly.
The Small Business Research Board ascertains and reports the opinions of small business owners and managers on a wide variety of topics related to their own businesses as well as national and international issues that may impact their operations. The SBRB conducts these studies for the benefit of small business owners and managers. The SBRB also provides opportunities for third parties to gain real time insight into the attitudes of small businesses nationwide through the independently conducted research.