Fewer Small Construction, Contracting Businesses Considering Expansion; Near Term Investment Plans to Focus on Customer Needs Finds Latest Small Business Research Board Study
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TMCNet: Fewer Small Construction, Contracting Businesses Considering Expansion; Near Term Investment Plans to Focus on Customer Needs Finds Latest Small Business Research Board Study

[March 27, 2008]

Fewer Small Construction, Contracting Businesses Considering Expansion; Near Term Investment Plans to Focus on Customer Needs Finds Latest Small Business Research Board Study

(Market Wire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) NORTHFIELD, IL, March 27 / MARKET WIRE/ --

The reality of the staggering economy and
decreasing confidence about near term business prospects are compelling
fewer owners and managers of small construction and contracting businesses
to consider expanding their operations, according to the results of the
latest Small Business Research Board (SBRB) poll released today.

The SBRB report said that 30% of the small construction and contracting
businesses during the fourth quarter were planning to expand their
businesses the next 12 to 24 months. This was six points fewer than the
36% who felt the same during the third quarter 2007 reporting period.

Furthermore, respondents to the survey co-sponsored by International
Profit Associates, said they are re-orienting their operating agendas to
focus more heavily on customer issues than making investments in facilities
and processes.

Providing more services (22%) and adding new products (20%) were the two
most mentioned enhancements that will be made by the owners and managers
participating in the study who intend to grow their businesses. They
ranked fourth and sixth respectively during the prior quarter.

Expansion at existing locations (19%) fell to third in the most recent
rankings after having been the cited the most during the third quarter.
Enhancing customer services capabilities (18%) was fourth during the last
quarter.

Human resources continued to be the most important ingredients to improving
productivity during the fourth quarter. Improved staff training, the
addition of more staff and implementation or enhancement of employee
incentive programs were the top three elements cited for improving
productivity. Those were followed by improvements to existing automation
or technology and adding more automation or technology, which finished
fourth and fifth.

The opinions about issues impacting their business were consistent with the
recently reported decline in confidence. The SBRB Construction &
Contracting Industry Small Business Confidence Index (C-SBCI) dropped 12
points or nearly 25% during the fourth quarter of 2007 indicating owners
and managers had significant concerns about their near term business
prospects.

Declines during the fourth quarter in all three key indicators drove the
C-SBCI lower. The fourth quarter construction and contracting industry
indicators were similar to what was found among all businesses
participating in the nationwide study.

The current Construction & Contracting Industry Index is 1.33 points higher
than the 33.67 reported for all U.S. small businesses during the fourth
quarter of last year. The overall U.S. SBCI of 33.67 was nearly 10 points
(21.7 %) lower than the index of 43 reported during the third quarter of
2007.

More than 950 owners and managers participated in the national study.

The Small Business Research Board ascertains and reports the opinions of
small business owners and managers on a wide variety of topics related to
their own businesses as well as national and international issues that may
impact their operations. The SBRB conducts these studies for the benefit
of small business owners and managers. The SBRB also provides
opportunities for third parties to gain real time insight into the
attitudes of small businesses nationwide through the independently
conducted research.

The universe of participants is developed from among small businesses
across the United States. The SBRB study is a voluntary survey conducted
via phone and email. The latest information about the Small Business
Research Board can be found at www.biznus.net.

International Profit Associates, Inc. (IPA) is the largest privately held
provider of management consulting services to small and medium-size
businesses in North America. IPA, based in Buffalo Grove, Il., and its
more than 1,800 professionals offer a wide range of proven and innovative
methodologies to help businesses grow and prosper regardless of the
economic cycle. IPA either provides directly or through its affiliated
companies a comprehensive array of business advisory services, tax and
estate planning services or merger, acquisition and other financial
advisory services in the United States and Canada. More information about
IPA can be found at www.ipa-iba.com.

For more information about this poll, results of previous studies or other
matters related to the SBRB, please contact Raymond D. Minkus,
(847) 441-4192.

Contact:
Raymond D. Minkus
(847) 441-4192Email Contact

Copyright ? 2008 Market Wire, Incorporated

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