Small Businesses View Knowledge as
Both a Key to Success and a Challenge

Toronto, ON - Decision-makers at small and medium-sized businesses widely recognize the benefit of acquiring and sharing business information within their organization, but they also find it challenging according to a new Ipsos Reid survey conducted in Canada and Australia on behalf of Intel.

Overall, three quarters of SMB decision-makers in Canada (74%) and Australia (75%) are familiar with the concept of "knowledge management," with nearly two-thirds (65% in both countries) saying they manage information better today than they did two years ago. However, a majority in both Canada (63%) and Australia (57%) cite the need for further improvement of the management of information at their company. In addition, roughly half of SMB leaders (57% in Canada and 49% in Australia) say they could serve their customers better if they had better access to information.

The poll of over 600 decision makers at Canadian and Australian businesses with 20 to 100 employees found that improved business information management goes hand in hand with business growth. In both countries, SMB decision-makers who perceive their business to be growing faster than the competition are more likely to be familiar with the concept of knowledge management (78% in Canada and 81% in Australia), than those who feel their business growth is stagnant (69% in Canada and 59% in Australia).

While SMB decision-makers recognize the benefits of managing information and the means used to facilitate the flow of information at their company, they also cite challenges. Nearly half of them (46% in Canada and 48% in Australia) report not having enough time to make better use of acquired information during business planning. Lack of staff (33% in Canada, 30% in Australia), lack of training (24% and 21%, respectively) and doubts about cost-effectiveness (23% in both countries) are also major barriers to better use of business information.

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Intel from September 8-16, 2008. This online survey is based on a sample of decision-makers from businesses with 20 to 100 employees in Canada (305 respondents) and Australia (302 respondents). The survey was hosted by Ipsos Interactive Services and was conducted simultaneously with an identical questionnaire in both Canada (English and French) and Australia (English only).

For more information on this news release, please contact: John McMurray Senior Research Manager Ipsos Public Affairs (425) 586-5553 [email protected]

About Ipsos Reid Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

About Ipsos Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999.

In 2007, Ipsos generated global revenues of e927.2 million ($1.27 billion U.S.).

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