May 26

Written by: careers
5/26/2010 5:00 PM

A significantly larger number of business leaders in the Washington Business Journal/Shugoll Research CEO Panel (59%) believe the economy is in an upturn/recovery than 6 months ago (40%). This is the highest level since the poll began in September 2009. Most of the rest feel the economy is holding steady (28%), with few believing it is still in a downturn (13%). “This is the most optimistic Washington business leaders have been about the economy since this panel began,” said Dr. Mark Shugoll, CEO of Shugoll Research.

When asked about their own business prospects for the next year, nearly two thirds are optimistic (64%, vs. 50% in November) with about a quarter pessimistic (26%). Yet, their enthusiasm continues to be tempered, as most are just somewhat optimistic (55%) than extremely optimistic (9%).

Consistent with the upturn in the data, over half (57%) expect their revenues in the next 6 months to increase over the past 6 months versus 33 percent in the previous November poll. Only 13 percent believe they will decline (vs. 23% 6 months ago) and the rest (30%) say they should stay the same.

More are forecasting an increase in staffing levels in the next 6 months (45%) than said so 6 months ago (32%). Most of the rest believe they will be able to retain current staffing levels over the next 6 months (43%). Few (12%) predict their staffing levels will decline in this period and this number is down from 18 percent in the previous survey.

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