Many Are Taking The Plunge From Corporate World And Starting Their Own Small Business

In fact, strong majorities of today's small business owners agree that "more women, seniors and corporate executives are starting up their own small business than ever before" (92%, 35% strongly agree) and, from what they've experienced, most agree that "many people today are making a lifestyle decision to leave the corporate world and start their own small business" (82%, 25% strongly agree).

According to small business owners, the most common reasons for deciding to leave the corporate world and start a small business are "to achieve a better work/life balance" and a "sense of freedom/no more boss" (72%). Other reasons for taking the plunge include "to be able to work at home more often to raise family" (47%), "earn a living following my passion" (46%), and some have "developed a new idea" (34%).

But, small business owners do offer some words of wary for those contemplating taking the plunge into the small business world, namely: 88% agree that someone starting their small business should "have the right technology in place before they begin work".

Most small business owners agree that it's important for prospective small business owners to plan their technology investment before they get started because it helps them achieve a competitive advantage -particularly when it comes to "access to relevant and timely business information" (75%), "promoting the business" (73%) and "helping to win new customers" (71%).

Many would equate choosing their technology investment to that of choosing a business partner, 88% agree that "technology is like a silent partner that helps my business be more efficient, deliver optimum customer service and close more sales".

However, while most agree that technology is a crucial part of their business, many admit their business situation has a long way to go in terms of their level of technology:

• 46% would describe it as "Getting Their Feet Wet" - meaning they only use computers for running software such as word processing and spreadsheet programs and connecting to the Internet;
• 32% would describe it as "Swimming Along" - meaning a mix of desktops and laptops that work on a shared server, with the ability to use the Internet for research and for marketing as well as word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software;
• 23% would describe it as "Taking the Plunge" - meaning an integrated mix of desktops, laptops and mobile devices and server software that allow employees to share file, use the Internet, produce sophisticated client deliverables and manage customer relationships.

Small business owners aren't afraid to take care of their work in non-traditional work settings either. Fully six in ten (57%) have responded to a business email or call "sitting in traffic" (57%), while smaller proportions have done so in the "grocery store" (40%), and "while taking family to extracurricular activities" and "at the cottage/vacation home" (31%).

These are the findings of an Ipsos-Reid poll conducted from September 21st to September 26th, 2006 via a regionally representative online Canadian sample of 1054 small business owners (for this study, small business was defined as 15 or fewer employees). For this sample, results can be considered accurate 95% of the time with a 3.1% margin of error, of what it would have been had this entire population been surveyed.
For more information please contact:
Paul Orovan
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
416-324-2299
[email protected]