Issue #2, May 2008

About The Top 9 from 411SmallBusinessFacts.com

Welcome to the second 411 letter! The following nine questions, whose answers are available on 411, offer you a variety of facts on small business which may be of interest. In light of the current run-up in energy prices, you may also find the information in the 411 Polls on Adjusting to Cost Increases, Transportation and Energy Consumption particularly relevant.

Expect to receive The TOP 9 e-mail the last Saturday of every month.

Regards,

NFIB Research Foundation

The TOP 9 Questions for May 2008

1. 1
   EMPLOYEE TRAINING How many small business owners in the last three have used courses over the Internet to train one or more employees? (Q#28a; Vol 5, Iss 1)
2. 2
   ENERGY PRICES How do small business owners anticipate offsetting further energy cost increases? (Q#23; Vol 1, Iss 4)
3. 3
   RESIDENCE How far (in minutes) do small business owners or managers typically live from their businesses? (Q#6; Vol 6, Iss 2)
4. 4
   BUDGET How many small business owners and managers prepare a written budget for the firm that projects revenues (sales) and expenses (costs) by major category? (#1; Vol 7, Iss 4)
5. 5
   PAPERWORK What is the most difficult aspect of government paperwork for those operating small businesses? (Q#12; Vol 3, Iss 5)
6. 6
   WAL-MART PHENOMENON How many small business compete against a box store or large chain store? (Q#7; Vol 3, Iss 8)
7. 7
   PRINCIPAL ADVISOR/CONFIDANT How many small business owners or managers have one person that they are likely to consult before addressing a serious problem or making a critical decision? (Q#1; Vol 2, Iss 5)
8. 8
   INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) Are small business owners more likely to encounter IT problems with hardware or software? (Q#6; Vol 7, Iss 5)
9. 9
   BANKING Are banks competing for small business's banking business more today, less today, or about the same today as three years ago? (Q#1; Vol 5; Iss 8)