Perspectives on small business in Canada · Perspectives on small business in Canada CFIB/HP/Intel...

Research July 2011

Perspectives on small business in Canada CFIB/HP/Intel poll finds Canadians value and respect entrepreneurship; small business is driving growth through IT investment

Nicole Troster, Research Analyst

The majority of Canadians highly respect small business. As for small businesses, they too are proud of what they do and share valuable insight into how they started and where they’re headed. Technology is an important factor that helps businesses to get there.

Contents Page Introduction 1 The general public on small business 2 Small business on small business 6 Small business on technology 8 Conclusion 11 Methodology 11 Earlier this year, the federal government appointed 2011 as the Year of the Entrepreneur (YOE). To celebrate the YOE and its 40th

This report is divided into three sections: the public opinion poll results, results from a poll

of small businesses and specific questions to small business on technology.

anniversary, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), in partnership with Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co. and Intel of Canada, Ltd. commissioned a set of two opinion polls through the Angus Reid Forum to better understand the public’s opinions about small business, entrepreneurship and what it will take to ensure that we maintain a vibrant small business sector going forward.

Highlights from the polls include:

Results from public opinion poll:

94 per cent of Canadians admire entrepreneurs;

92 per cent of Canadians would approve of an immediate family member starting a business;

Close to 60 per cent of Canadians indicate that lack of money prevents them from going into business for themselves;

Perspectives on small business in Canada 2

Results from small business poll:

Close to half of small business employees work for small businesses because they believe in what the business is doing;

The main challenges that businesses face are regulation and paper burden, competition from other businesses and total tax burden;

Results from questions on technology:

In terms of technology adoption, approximately 90 per cent of businesses have at the very least a computer and an internet connection; and

More than 80 percent of businesses feel that their investments in technology met or exceeded their expectations.

The general public on small business

Canadians place a great deal of importance on small businesses and their contributions to the community, and to the economy overall. In fact, Canadians place small business as the second most respected institution behind farmers. Both institutions received high scores, small business with a mean of 8.2 out of 10, and farmers, most of which are small businesses, scored 8.7 out of 10 (see Figure 1). Government and labour unions in comparison scored 5.3 and 5.1 out of 10 respectively.

Figure 1

How much respect do you have for each of the following in Canada? (mean, scale of 0 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of respect)

Source: Angus Reid Forum poll (2,028 responses)

What’s even more telling is that 92 per cent of Canadians would approve (41 per cent) or strongly approve (51 per cent) of their child or immediate family member starting their own business (see Figure 2). The fact that the majority of Canadians would approve of their loved ones taking the entrepreneurial route is a clear sign that small business is highly respected. The results from this poll are similar to those found by CFIB’s American counterpart, the National Federation of

Independent Business, whose results state that 89 per cent of Americans approved of their son or daughter starting a business. (NFIB, 2004)

Figure 2

To what extent would you approve of your child or a member of your immediate family starting their own business? (% response)


Linked to the high approval rating is the value that the public associates with the specialized and personalized service that they receive from small businesses. An overwhelming 52 per cent of Canadians strongly agreed and 43 per cent agreed that they value the products, services and personal attention they get from a small business (see Figure 3).

5.1

5.3

5.6

5.6

5.9

7.0

7.0

8.2

8.7

Labour unions

Government

Banks

Large companies

Legal system/Courts

Healthcare system

Education system/Schools

Small business

Farmers

Approve, 41

Strongly approve, 51

Strongly disapprove, 2Disapprove, 6


Figure 3

I value the products, services and personal attention I get from a small business (% response)


Intuitively, Canadians know that being an entrepreneur can be hard. Over half of Canadians strongly disagreed that starting and operating a business is easy and 34 per cent disagreed with the same statement (see Figure 4).

Figure 4

Starting and operating a business is easy (% response)


Overall, Canadians admire entrepreneurs because they know that starting a business takes a lot of courage and perseverance, especially when you consider the many challenges that entrepreneurs face. When Canadians were asked if they admire entrepreneurs, 94 per cent agreed (55 per cent strongly agreed and 39 agreed) (see Figure 5).

Figure 5

I admire entrepreneurs (% response)


Most Canadians agreed that small business is vital to their community (59 per cent strongly agreed and 35 per cent agreed) (see Figure 6). These poll results parallel CFIB members’ views which indicate that 85 per cent of members give back to their communities (see CFIB, Secrets of entrepreneurial success, April 2011).

Figure 6

Small business is vital to my community (% response)


In particular, businesses contribute to their communities through employing people locally (84 per cent), meeting the community’s unique needs through the tailoring of products and services (63 per cent), donating goods and services (50 per cent) and acting as strong role models in the community (46 per cent) (see Figure 7).

Strongly agree,

52Agree,

43

Strongly disagree, 1 Disagree, 3

Agree, 11

Strongly agree, 3

Strongly disagree, 52

Disagree, 34

Strongly agree,

55

Agree, 39

Disagree, 5

Strongly Disagree, 1

Agree, 35

Stronglyagree, 59


Disagree, 5


Figure 7

How do small businesses contribute to your community? (% response)


Not only is small business vital to the community but it is vital to the economy, with close to 80 per cent of Canadians indicating that the economy is powered by entrepreneurs (30 per cent strongly agreed and 49 per cent agree) (see Figure 8).

Figure 8

The economy is powered by entrepreneurs (% response)


When it comes to entrepreneurship in schools, business owners are on par with the public1

1 Entrepreneurs have no regrets, a CFIB report in the ‘Insight on Entrepreneurship’ series draws attention to the fact that 56 per cent of business owners do not feel that there is enough of an emphasis on entrepreneurship as a career option in schools.

; 25 per cent of the public strongly disagreed and 46 disagreed that there is a strong enough

emphasis on entrepreneurship as a career option in schools.

Figure 9

The school system puts a strong enough emphasis on entrepreneurship as a career option (% response)


Eighty-three per cent of Canadians feel that governments undervalue the contribution of entrepreneurs and small business (see Figure 10). Given the level of respect by the public, governments should dedicate more efforts to creating a better environment for small business to thrive in, e.g. reducing regulatory burden, providing tax relief and so on.

Figure 10

Governments undervalue the contribution of entrepreneurs and small business in Canada (% response)


An overwhelming 98 per cent feel that small business is important to Canada’s future (see Figure 11). Over 70 per cent of respondents

84

63

50

46

32

31

5

2

Employ people in the community

Business meets community’s unique needs

Donate goods and services to the community

Act as strong role models in the community

Provide leadership and support

Provide financial donations

Don’t know

Other

Agree, 49


Disagree,18

Stronglyagree, 30

Strongly agree, 4

Agree, 25

Disagree, 46

Stronglydisagree, 25

Agree, 43

Strongly agree, 40

Disagree, 14Strongly disagree, 3


indicated that small business was very important, and 27 per cent indicated that small business was somewhat important to Canada’s future.

Figure 11

How important is small business to Canada’s future? (% response)


According to the poll, one in five (20 per cent) of Canadians currently own or have owned a small business and close to half have given some thought to running their own business (see Figure 12).

Figure 12

What are your thoughts on the idea of starting a business? (% response)


The question remains then, why aren’t more Canadians going into business for themselves? The answer is that there is much at stake in terms of financing and risk. The biggest barrier to business ownership was the lack of money (57 per cent) (see Figure 13). The

public’s views are very much in line with findings from CFIB’s Banking Matters report, which shows that 61 per cent of business owners had trouble securing term financing or a loan from their bank. (CFIB, 2007)

Figure 13

What prevents you from going into business for yourself? (% response)


The next biggest barriers are the amount of risk involved (40 per cent) and uncertainty about the success of the business (36 per cent).

Starting a business can be difficult because there are so many unknown factors which can challenge the viability of a business. In part, this is why governments need to ensure that entrepreneurs are not hindered in their ability to continue to be a vital part in the economy.

Very important,

71

Somewhat important,

27

Somewhat unimportant,

2

Currently own or have

owned a business,

20

Seriously thought about it ,

13

Given it some

thought , 33

No interest,

35

57

40

36

29

22

21

19

5

Lack of money

Amount of risk involved

Uncertain about success of business

Lack of skills or knowledge

Lack of resources

Lack of time

Other

Lack of support from friends and family


Small business on small business

To get a better perspective, small businesses were asked about their views on various aspects of their business. When asked why entrepreneurs started their own business, 60 per cent indicated that they wanted to be their own boss and make their own decisions (see Figure 14). Others saw business ownership as an opportunity to make better use of their skills and knowledge (37 per cent), while yet others did it to create more flexibility in their schedule (30 per cent) or for a financial opportunity (30 per cent).

Figure 14

Why did you become a business owner? (% response)


Close to half of the employees in small businesses who took the poll indicated that they wanted to work for the business mostly because they believe in what the business is doing (45 per cent) (see Figure 15). The other two top reasons for working for small business included having a more flexible schedule (36 per cent) and having the opportunity to contribute to the business (35 per cent). This relates to why people admire small businesses and why they would approve of their family members starting a small business.

Figure 15

Why did you choose to work for a small business? (% response)

Source: Angus Reid Forum poll (786 responses)

Competition as well as regulation and paper burden tied for first place as the greatest operating challenges (39 per cent). Total tax burden followed closely at 33 per cent (see Figure 16). These are the areas in which small business needs governments to reduce barriers so that businesses can continue to flourish, create jobs, support families and give back to communities.

Figure 16

What are the main challenges you face in running your business? (% response)


Two thirds of the businesses surveyed intend to increase their current operations in the next three years, and close to one-third of businesses are looking to maintain current operations (see Figure 17).

60

37

30

30

19

17

7

4

To be my own boss and make my own decisions

To make better use of my skills and knowledge

To have a more flexible schedule

Financial opportunity

Had a great idea for a business that I wanted to pursue

Other suitable job opportunities were not available

To continue the family business

Other

45

36

35

33

19

19

12

9

I believe in what the business is doing

To have a more flexible schedule

Opportunity to contribute to the business

Less bureaucracy than a larger organization

Impressed by business owner

Other suitable job opportunities were not available

Profit-sharing opportunities

Other

39

39

33

29

18

17

11

Regulation and paper burden

Competition

Total tax burden

Financing

Technology

Labour shortages

Other


Figure 17

Which of the following describes your overall business goal for the next 3 years? (% response)


Close to 70 per cent of less established small businesses (those operating 10 years or less) were looking to increase their operations while only 54 per cent of more established businesses (11 or more years) had the same intent (see Figure 18). This can be explained by looking at the businesses’ life cycle and the fact that more established businesses are probably looking to exit through succession planning, while less established businesses are looking to expand their operations.

Figure 18

Which of the following describes your overall business goal for the next 3 years? (% response, less established businesses (10 years or less) vs. more established businesses (11 years or more))


Increase, 66

Don’t know, 3

Maintain, 29

Downsize, 3

69

28

1

2

54

36

6

4

Increase

Maintain

Downsize

Don’t know

Less established More established


Small business on technology

The poll asked small businesses about their use of technology and what role technology plays in the future of the business. Approximately 60 per cent of businesses believe they use technology to the same degree as their competitors (see Figure 19). Eighteen per cent of businesses felt that they used technology to a greater extent and 18 per cent to a lesser extent than their competitors.

Figure 19

Compared to your competitors, how much does your business use technology? (% response)


Businesses were split on whether increased investment in technology would help them to achieve their overall business goals (see Figure 17). Over 40 per cent of businesses indicated that increased investments in technology would help them achieve their goals, while 37 per cent said that it wouldn’t and 20 per cent didn’t know (see Figure 20).

Figure 20

Would increased investment in technology help your business achieve its overall goals? (% response)


When asked about how increased investment in technology would help businesses achieve their goals, 67 per cent of businesses indicated that it would help them save time and money (see Figure 21). Other benefits from increased technology included improved access to information (64 per cent), helping to remain competitive (58 per cent) and promoting innovation (48 per cent).

Figure 21

How would increased investment in technology help you achieve your overall business goal? (% response)


Less, 18

Don’t know, 8

Same, 58

More, 18

Yes , 43

No, 37

Don’t know,

20

67

64

58

48

5

1

Saves me time and money

Improves access to information

Helps me remain competitive

Promotes innovation

Other (please specify)

Don’t know


In general, around 90 per cent of businesses indicated that they had at the very least a computer and an internet connection (see Figure 22). Over half of businesses use networking devices such as routers (61 per cent), productivity software such as office suites with email, word processing and spreadsheet programs (60 per cent) as well as HR, accounting and financial software (56 per cent). Also, businesses used smart phones or other handheld devices (52 per cent), customer database systems (47 per cent), security software and hardware (47 per cent) and data storage and server infrastructure (44 per cent).

Figure 22

Which types of technology are used by your business? (% response)


Close to half of small businesses on a whole believe they adopt technology at the same time as their competitors (see Figure 23). Whereas, approximately 20 per cent adopt technologies before their competitors and 30 per cent adopt technologies after.

Figure 23

Generally, how quickly does your business adopt the latest technologies compared to your competitors? (% response)

Source: Angus Reid Forum poll (1,160 responses) Business identified cost as the primary barrier for adopting technologies (63 per cent) (see Figure 24). Other barriers included technology not being tailored specifically to the company’s needs (28 per cent), available technology was not expected to pay off (20 per cent) or that businesses are simply not aware of tools that will help them improve their operations (18 per cent).

Figure 24

Why does your business adopt the latest technologies after your competitors? (% response)


All this being said, over 80 per cent of businesses feel that investments in technology matched or exceeded expectations (see Figure 25). These results are in line with those from

89

89

61

60

56

52

47

47

44

27

26

25

21

17

15

14

3

2

Desktop computers, laptops, and tablet PCs

Internet connection

Networking devices

Productivity software

HR, accounting and financial software

Smart phone or handheld device

Customer database systems

Security software/hardware

Data storage and server infrastructure

Payment processing technologies

E-commerce

Audio/video conferencing systems

Inventory management systems

VOIP

Cloud computing

Business intelligence tools

None of the above

Other

At the same time,

46

After most

others, 30

Don’t know,

6Before, 17

63

28

20

18

14

14

13

Purchasing is too costly

Off-the-shelf technology is not tailored to needs

Available technology tools are not expected to pay off

Not aware of other tools

Training is too costly

Discouraged by the uncertainty of the business environment

Other


the 2006 CFIB survey Building Business Success (80 per cent) and they suggest that business owners see the value in adopting technology to improve their operations, saving them time and money as well as helping them to remain competitive and innovative.

Figure 25

How have the results from your investments in technology met your expectations? (% response)


Lower, 12

Don’t know,

8

Match, 73

Above, 8


Conclusion

These polls allowed us to understand the opinions of Canadians on small business and entrepreneurship as well as small business perspectives on their firms and technology. Overall, entrepreneurs are truly respected and admired by Canadians. Poll results show a high level of support and interest from the public, whereas the public sees a lack of support from governments and the school system for entrepreneurship.

Close to half of Canadians have thought about starting a business, but recognize that it is not easy as there are many challenges.

Many employees work for small businesses because they believe in what the business is doing and find satisfaction in being able to contribute to the business.

Small businesses actively use technology to improve their operations, saving them time and money, as well as helping them to remain competitive and innovative.

The poll results certainly reinforce the importance of small business in Canadian economy and society.

Sources

CFIB, 2007. Banking Matters. www.cfib.ca/research/reports/rr3044.pdf. Accessed 13 June 2011.

National Federation of Independent Business, 2004. The Public Reviews Small Business. www.nfib.com/Portals/0/PDF/AllUsers/research/The%20Public%20Reviews%20Small%20Business.pdf, Accessed 13 June 2011.

Methodology From April 26th to April 27th 2011 an online survey was conducted among 2,028 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.06%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

From May 2nd to May 9th, 2011, an online survey was conducted among a sample of 1,160 Canadians who are business owners/senior employees in small businesses and who are Angus Reid Forum panel members. The margin of error on the full base — which measures sampling variability — is +/- 2.79%. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

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25

21

23

25

So

urce

: Ang

us R

eid

Foru

m p

oll,

Apr

il 20

11 (2

,028

res

pons

es)

Pers

pect

ives

on

smal

l bus

ines

s in

Can

ada

15

Tabl

e A

10

Go

vern

men

ts u

nd

erva

lue

the

con

trib

uti

on

of

entr

epre

neu

rs a

nd

sm

all b

usi

nes

s in

Can

ada

(% r

esp

on

se)

BC

A

B SK

/MB

ON

Q

C

ATL

C

AN

Stro

ng

ly A

gre

e 34

34

38

39

46

42

40

A

gre

e 46

48

38

44

41

42

43

D

isag

ree

16

17

20

14

9 12

14

St

ron

gly

Dis

agre

e 4

2 4

3 4

4 3

Sour

ce: A

ngus

Rei

d Fo

rum

pol

l, A

pril

2011

(2,0

28 r

espo

nses

)

Tabl

e A

11

Ho

w im

po

rtan

t is

sm

all b

usi

nes

s to

Can

ada’

s fu

ture

? (%

res

po

nse

)

BC

AB

SK/M

B O

N

QC

A

TL

CA

N

Ver

y im

po

rtan

t 68

69

86

74

65

74

71

So

mew

hat

imp

ort

ant

29

28

14

25

31

26

27

Som

ewh

at u

nim

po

rtan

t 2

2 0

1 4

0 2

No

t at

all

imp

ort

ant

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 So

urce

: Ang

us R

eid

Foru

m p

oll,

Apr

il 20

11 (2

,028

res

pons

es)

Tabl

e A

12

Wh

at a

re y

ou

r th

ou

gh

ts o

n t

he

idea

of

star

tin

g a

bu

sin

ess?

(%

res

po

nse

)

BC

AB

SK/M

B O

N

QC

A

TL

CA

N

No

inte

rest

34

22

41

37

37

37

35

Giv

en it

so

me

tho

ug

ht

31

38

22

32

34

36

33

Seri

ou

sly

tho

ug

ht

abo

ut

it

9 14

13

12

15

12

13

C

urr

entl

y o

wn

or

hav

e o

wn

ed a

b

usi

nes

s 25

26

23

19

15

17

20

So

urce

: Ang

us R

eid

Foru

m p

oll,

Apr

il 20

11 (2

,028

res

pons

es)

Pers

pect

ives

on

smal

l bus

ines

s in

Can

ada

16

Tabl

e A

13

Wh

at p

reve

nts

yo

u f

rom

go

ing

into

bu

sin

ess

for

you

rsel

f? (

% r

esp

on

se)

BC

A

B SK

/MB

ON

Q

C

ATL

C

AN

Lack

of

tim

e 23

26

17

23

16

20

21

Lack

of

mo

ney

56

66

68

57

52

51

57

Lack

of

skill

s o

r kn

ow

led

ge

34

36

35

27

29

23

29

Lack

of

reso

urc

es (

tech

no

log

y,

info

rmat

ion

) 23

26

19

24

18

21

22

Lack

of

sup

po

rt f

rom

fri

end

s an

d

fam

ily

7 6

4 4

6 8

5

Un

cert

ain

ab

ou

t su

cces

s o

f b

usi

nes

s 38

47

29

39

32

28

36

Am

ou

nt

of

risk

invo

lved

45

49

37

44

33

34

40

Oth

er

22

14

20

18

20

25

19

Sour

ce: A

ngus

Rei

d Fo

rum

pol

l, A

pril

2011

(2,0

28 r

espo

nses

)

Tabl

e A

14

Wh

y d

id y

ou

bec

om

e a

bu

sin

ess

ow

ner

? (%

res

po

nse

)

CA

N

To b

e m

y o

wn

bo

ss a

nd

mak

e m

y o

wn

dec

isio

ns

60

To h

ave

a m

ore

fle

xib

le s

ched

ule

30

To m

ake

bet

ter

use

of

my

skill

s an

d k

no

wle

dg

e 37

Fin

anci

al o

pp

ort

un

ity

30

Had

a g

reat

idea

fo

r a

bu

sin

ess

that

I w

ante

d t

o p

urs

ue

19

Oth

er s

uit

able

job

op

po

rtu

nit

ies

wer

e n

ot

avai

lab

le

17

To c

on

tin

ue

the

fam

ily b

usi

nes

s 7

Oth

er

4

Sour

ce: A

ngus

Rei

d Fo

rum

pol

l, M

ay 2

011

(374

res

pons

es)

Pers

pect

ives

on

smal

l bus

ines

s in

Can

ada

17

Tabl

e A

15

Wh

y d

id y

ou

ch

oo

se t

o w

ork

fo

r a

smal

l bu

sin

ess?

(%

res

po

nse

)

BC

AB

SK/M

B O

N

QC

A

TL

CA

N

I bel

ieve

in w

hat

th

e b

usi

nes

s is

do

ing

49

47

37

49

39

46

45

To h

ave

a m

ore

fle

xib

le s

ched

ule

38

51

31

37

31

29

36

Op

po

rtu

nit

y to

co

ntr

ibu

te t

o t

he

bu

sin

ess

37

40

26

38

32

31

35

Less

bu

reau

crac

y th

an a

larg

er o

rgan

izat

ion

32

47

30

36

28

26

33

O

ther

job

op

po

rtu

nit

ies

wer

e n

ot

avai

lab

le a

t th

e ti

me

21

11

30

19

14

25

19

Imp

ress

ed b

y b

usi

nes

s o

wn

er

22

29

13

20

12

20

19

Pro

fit-

shar

ing

op

po

rtu

nit

ies

8 23

11

11

15

5

12

Oth

er

13

5 6

8 9

11

9 So

urce

: Ang

us R

eid

Foru

m p

oll,

May

201

1 (7

86 r

espo

nses

)

Tabl

e A

16

Wh

at a

re t

he

mai

n c

hal

len

ges

yo

u f

ace

in r

un

nin

g y

ou

r b

usi

nes

s? (

% r

esp

on

se)

C

AN

Go

vern

men

t re

gu

lati

on

an

d p

aper

bu

rden

39

Co

mp

etit

ion

fro

m o

ther

bu

sin

esse

s 33

Tota

l tax

bu

rden

39

Fin

anci

ng

29

Lab

ou

r sh

ort

ages

17

Kee

pin

g u

p w

ith

tec

hn

olo

gy

18

Oth

er

11

So

urce

: Ang

us R

eid

Foru

m p

oll,

May

201

1 (3

74 r

espo

nses

)

Tabl

e A

17

Wh

ich

of

the

follo

win

g d

escr

ibes

yo

ur

ove

rall

bu

sin

ess

go

al f

or

the

nex

t 3

year

s? (

% r

esp

on

se)

BC

A

B SK

/MB

ON

Q

C

ATL

C

AN

In

crea

se

62

73

61

66

63

67

66

Mai

nta

in

29

22

34

29

32

26

29

Dec

reas

e 5

2 3

3 3

2 3

Do

n’t

kn

ow

4

3 3

2 2

5 3

Sour

ce: A

ngus

Rei

d Fo

rum

pol

l, M

ay 2

011

(1,1

60 r

espo

nses

)

Pers

pect

ives

on

smal

l bus

ines

s in

Can

ada

18

Tabl

e A

18

Co

mp

ared

to

yo

ur

com

pet

ito

rs, h

ow

mu

ch d

oes

yo

ur

bu

sin

ess

use

tec

hn

olo

gy?

(%

res

po

nse

)

BC

AB

SK/M

B O

N

QC

A

TL

CA

N

Mo

re t

han

my

com

pet

ito

rs

16

18

18

18

19

14

18

As

mu

ch a

s m

y co

mp

etit

ors

62

59

54

56

59

57

58

Less

th

an m

y co

mp

etit

ors

13

18

16

19

16

22

18

Do

n’t

kn

ow

9

5 12

8

6 7

8 So

urce

: Ang

us R

eid

Foru

m p

oll,

May

201

1 (1

,160

res

pons

es)

Tabl

e A

19

Wo

uld

incr

ease

d in

vest

men

t in

tec

hn

olo

gy

hel

p y

ou

r b

usi

nes

s ac

hie

ve it

s o

vera

ll g

oal

s? (

% r

esp

on

se)

BC

A

B SK

/MB

ON

Q

C

ATL

C

AN

Yes

46

50

34

42

42

45

43

No

39

33

31

36

43

33

37

Do

n’t

kn

ow

15

17

35

21

14

22

20

So

urce

: Ang

us R

eid

Foru

m p

oll,

May

201

1 (1

,160

res

pons

es)

Tabl

e A

20

Ho

w w

ou

ld in

crea

sed

inve

stm

ent

in t

ech

no

log

y h

elp

yo

u a

chie

ve y

ou

r o

vera

ll b

usi

nes

s g

oal

? (%

res

po

nse

)

CA

N

Save

s m

e ti

me

and

mo

ney

67

Imp

rove

s ac

cess

to

info

rmat

ion

64

Hel

ps

me

rem

ain

co

mp

etit

ive

58

Pro

mo

tes

inn

ova

tio

n

48

Oth

er (

ple

ase

spec

ify)

5

Do

n’t

kn

ow

1

So

urce

: Ang

us R

eid

Foru

m p

oll,

May

201

1 (5

01 r

espo

nses

)

Pers

pect

ives

on

smal

l bus

ines

s in

Can

ada

19

Tabl

e A

21

Wh

ich

typ

es o

f te

chn

olo

gy

are

use

d b

y yo

ur

bu

sin

ess?

(%

res

po

nse

)

BC

AB

SK/M

B O

N

QC

A

TL

CA

N

Des

kto

p c

om

pu

ters

, lap

top

s, a

nd

ta

ble

t PC

s 90

95

92

89

87

88

89

Inte

rnet

co

nn

ecti

on

90

92

92

89

87

85

89

Net

wo

rkin

g d

evic

es (

rou

ter)

67

69

66

63

50

59

61

Pr

od

uct

ivit

y so

ftw

are

(wo

rd

pro

cess

ing

to

ols

an

d s

pre

adsh

eets

) 68

64

68

64

46

59

60

HR

, acc

ou

nti

ng

an

d f

inan

cial

so

ftw

are

62

54

62

57

51

57

56

Smar

t p

ho

ne

or

han

dh

eld

dev

ice

54

60

46

56

45

46

52

Secu

rity

so

ftw

are/

har

dw

are

51

52

51

50

39

54

47

Cu

sto

mer

dat

abas

e sy

stem

s 53

44

47

50

42

41

47

Dat

a st

ora

ge

and

ser

ver

infr

astr

uct

ure

46

52

47

48

32

41

44

Pa

ymen

t p

roce

ssin

g t

ech

no

log

ies

(deb

it m

ach

ine)

38

34

28

26

20

31

27

E-

com

mer

ce (

on

line

tran

sact

ion

p

roce

ssin

g)

26

25

28

27

20

34

26

Au

dio

/vid

eo c

on

fere

nci

ng

sys

tem

s 25

28

24

28

17

27

25

Inve

nto

ry m

anag

emen

t sy

stem

s 30

24

24

20

18

20

21

Vo

ice

ove

r In

tern

et P

roto

col (

Vo

IP)

19

19

12

20

12

14

17

Clo

ud

co

mp

uti

ng

18

17

14

18

10

13

15

B

usi

nes

s in

telli

gen

ce t

oo

ls (

e.g

., d

ata

min

ing

, an

alyt

ics,

dat

a w

areh

ou

sin

g)

16

16

5 15

15

9

14

Oth

er

3 3

3 2

2 4

2

No

ne

of

the

abo

ve

2 0

4 3

4 2

3 So

urce

: Ang

us R

eid

Foru

m p

oll,

May

201

1 (1

,160

res

pons

es)

Pers

pect

ives

on

smal

l bus

ines

s in

Can

ada

20

Sour

ce: A

ngus

Rei

d Fo

rum

pol

l, M

ay 2

011

(1,1

60 r

espo

nses

)

Tabl

e A

23

Wh

y d

oes

yo

ur

bu

sin

ess

ado

pt

the

late

st t

ech

no

log

ies

afte

r yo

ur

com

pet

ito

rs?

(% r

esp

on

se)

C

AN

Purc

has

ing

is t

oo

co

stly

63

Off

-th

e-sh

elf

tech

no

log

y is

no

t ta

ilore

d t

o n

eed

s 28

No

t aw

are

of

oth

er t

oo

ls

18

Ava

ilab

le t

ech

no

log

y to

ols

are

no

t ex

pec

ted

to

pay

off

20

Dis

cou

rag

ed b

y th

e u

nce

rtai

nty

of

the

bu

sin

ess

envi

ron

men

t 14

Trai

nin

g is

to

o c

ost

ly

14

Oth

er

13

So

urce

: Ang

us R

eid

Foru

m p

oll,

May

201

1 (3

52 r

espo

nses

)

Tabl

e A

24

Ho

w h

ave

the

resu

lts

fro

m y

ou

r in

vest

men

ts in

tec

hn

olo

gy

met

yo

ur

exp

ecta

tio

ns?

(%

res

po

nse

)

BC

AB

SK/M

B O

N

QC

A

TL

CA

N

Mat

ch e

xpec

tati

on

s 70

74

69

74

73

69

73

Low

er t

han

exp

ecta

tio

ns

13

9 12

12

13

10

12

Ab

ove

exp

ecta

tio

ns

6 8

8 7

7 13

8

Do

n’t

kn

ow

10

9

11

8 7

7 8

Sour

ce: A

ngus

Rei

d Fo

rum

pol

l, M

ay 2

011

(1,1

60 r

espo

nses

)

Tabl

e A

22

Gen

eral

ly, h

ow

qu

ickl

y d

oes

yo

ur

bu

sin

ess

ado

pt

the

late

st t

ech

no

log

ies

com

par

ed t

o y

ou

r co

mp

etit

ors

? (%

res

po

nse

)

BC

AB

SK/M

B O

N

QC

A

TL

CA

N

At

the

sam

e ti

me

48

45

42

46

48

41

46

Aft

er m

ost

oth

ers

29

30

34

32

27

33

30

Bef

ore

18

20

19

15

18

19

17

Do

n’t

kn

ow

5

5 5

6 7

7 6

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