Dec 9

Written by: careers
12/9/2009 11:43 AM

A slightly smaller number of business leaders in the Washington Business Journal/Shugoll Research CEO Panel (40%) believe the economy is in an upturn/recovery than two months ago (51%).  Most of the rest feel the economy is holding steady (42%), with few believing it is still in a downturn (18%). “Given the prestige of the panel and the controlled number of participants, this change is truly minor and not statistically significant.  But it is something to continue to track in the coming months,” said Dr. Mark Shugoll, CEO of Shugoll Research.

When asked about their own business prospects for the next year, over twice as many are optimistic (50%) as pessimistic (22%).  Yet, their enthusiasm is tempered, as most are just somewhat optimistic (45%) and the total number who are optimistic about their business fell slightly versus 2 months ago (59%). Consistent with the downturn in the data, only a third (33%) expect their next 6 months revenues to increase over the past 6 months versus 51 percent in the previous poll.  Twenty three percent believe they will decline (vs. 15 percent 2 months ago) and the rest (42%) say they should stay the same. Slightly fewer are forecasting an increase in staffing levels (32%) than 2 months ago (39%).  Most believe they will retain current staffing levels over the next 6 months (48%, identical to 2 months ago).  Few (18%) predict their staffing levels will decline in this period although this number is up from 10 percent in the previous survey.

(These data are from the Washington Business Journal/Shugoll Research poll of area business leaders.  A total of 61 business leaders participated in the poll from November 23 to 25, 2009.  The Washington Business Journal/Shugoll Research CEO Panel will regularly poll a select group of business leaders on issues important to the community.)

 

 

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