Belmont University

SME Survey

The leaders of America’s small- and mid-sized businesses (SME's) are working long hours, concerned about keeping up with the latest technology. The UPS Business Monitor - United States shows they also think the economy and healthcare reform are the nation's most pressing problems. About two-thirds of the companies surveyed have sales between $250,000 and $5 million, with the remaining third between $5 million - $50 million.

Some highlights from this survey:

- SME executives work an average of 53 hours a week, with one-third (34%) working 60 hours or more.

- 59% say their top technology worry is just keeping up with the pace of technological change, although 53% also worry about Internet security breaches.

- Cell phones are clearly considered the most-needed technology device.

- The respondents are evenly split when asked if they expect difficulty in the future finding skilled employees.

- And the group clearly believes political leaders should be paying the most attention to sustaining economic growth, changing the healthcare system, and securing future energy supplies, in that order.


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