The May survey asks for your views on UK entry to the Euro, reflections on starting a business, accountancy, aspects of staffing, pressure of competition on profit margins and the World Cup.
From your experience, do you feel that the availability of an accurate 'Start Your Own Business' pack would be of practical use to new start-up businesses?
To what extent do you think that the daytime coverage of the Football World Cup might affect your employees' concentration and attendance?
(1) To what extent does the prospect of UK entry to the Euro, in 2004/5, present opportunities/difficulties to your business?
Response
Total answers: 138
%
1. significant opportunities
6.5%
2. some opportunities
26.8%
3. neutral
41.3%
4. some difficulties
10.1%
5. significant difficulties
5.8%
6. not applicable
9.4%
(2) Now that the Euro has been in use for 4 months, to what extent have you revised your views of its impact upon your business, since its introduction?
Response
Total answers: 138
%
1. significantly more positive
2.2%
2. more positive
17.4%
3 no change
59.4%
4. more negative
8%
5. significantly more negative
3.6%
6. not applicable
9.4%
(3) How has the introduction of the Euro across Europe affected your business so far?
Response
Total answers: 138
%
1. very positively
0.7%
2. positively
12.3%
3. no effect
68.1%
4. negatively
6.5%
5. very negatively
1.4%
6. not applicable
10.9%
(4) Have you ever attended a 'Start Your Own Business' course?
Response
Total answers: 138
%
1. yes
20.3%
2. no
79.7%
(5) Apart from course handouts, have you made use of a 'Start Your Own Business' pack from any source (eg. Government, banks)?
Response
Total answers: 138
%
1. yes
29.7%
2. no
70.3%
(6) From your experience, do you feel that the availability of an accurate 'Start Your Own Business' pack would be of practical use to new start-up businesses?
Response
Total answers: 138
%
1. yes
81.2%
2. no
18.8%
(7) To what extent is staff retention a problem for your business?
Response
Total answers: 138
%
1. highly
5.8%
2.
13%
3.
25.4%
4.
33.3%
5. not at all
22.5%
(8) How do you expect the number of employees in your business to change over the next 6 months?
Response
Total answers: 138
%
1. increase
42.8%
2. stay the same
48.6%
3. decrease
8.7%
(9) During the next 6 months, I expect the number of vacancies in my business to:
Response
Total answers: 138
%
1. rise
26.8%
2. remain the same
66.7%
3. fall
6.5%
(10) Compared with 12 months ago, to what extent are profit margins constrained due to the pressure of competition?
Response
Total answers: 138
%
1. highly
21%
2.
33.3%
3.
22.5%
4.
15.9%
5. not at all
7.2%
(11) Which, if any, of the following measures have you taken in order to keep your business competitive?
Response
Total answers: 138
%
1. sales and marketing initiatives
41.3%
2. cutting the cost of materials
7.2%
3. cutting staffing costs
16.7%
4.reducing other overheads
20.3%
5. other
6.5%
6. none
8%
(12) To what extent do you think that the daytime coverage of the Football World Cup might affect your employees' concentration and attendance?
