Network Solutions and the Center for Excellence in Service have constructed a new benchmarking survey that will continually measure the overall health of U.S. small businesses on an annual basis.  Called the Small Business Success Index, wave 1 of this survey was conducted by Rockbridge Associates in December 2008 and January 2009 and consisted of a telephone survey of 1,000 small business owners, while wave 2 was conducted in June 2009, surveying 500 small business owners.

The wave 2 survey contains again a competitiveness "report card" comprised of 6 distinct dimensions, comparing such findings to wave 1.  Six months later, the survey has found that 28% of small business owners believe the economy will worsen in the next year, down from 48% (see figure).   Though scarcity in capital remained a major issue for businesses, the wave 2 survey also focused on workforce benefits, detailing how the recession has affected what benefits small businesses can offer as well as problems they are facing in providing benefits like health care.  Despite these negative outcomes, the wave 2 survey found that the recession has positively impacted small businesses in that small businesses are finding ways to operate more efficiently and function better as a team.

» Assess the Health of Your Small Business! Take the survey to see how your business scores

» Abridged Version of the June 2009 Small Business Success Index

» Abridged Version of the 2008/09 Small Business Success Index

» Full Press Release