ROSELAND, N.J., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite concern about
ongoing economic challenges, a new survey released today indicates
that small business owners are optimistic about business prospects
in the year ahead, but closely link anticipated growth with the
implementation of new operational efficiencies. Specifically,
respondents suggest a desire to acquire new tools and resources
designed to help them run their businesses more efficiently, and
from more locations.
The survey, commissioned by ADP ®, a leading provider of HR,
payroll and benefits administration services, looks at a broad
cross-section of the small business sector and assesses the views
of small business owners on a variety of topics related to the
economy, business outlook and opportunities for growth. The survey
is the first in a series of research topics to be published by the
ADP Research Institute, a specialized group within ADP that
conducts studies on topics of current interest to HR and payroll
professionals.
"In today's economy, small business owners are watching cash
flow more closely than ever. That reality, combined with
ever-growing time pressures, means small business owners are
looking to spend more time growing their businesses and less time
on the administrative burdens of running them," said Regina Lee, President of ADP's Small Business
Services and Major Account Services. "To best serve the needs
of today's business owner, companies serving the small business
sector need to adapt with them, leveraging new technologies like
Smartphones and faster networks to bring trusted resources to
clients wherever they choose to work."
While a majority of small business owners (80%) indicate that
they have been negatively impacted by the economy, more than 50%
expect their businesses to expand in the coming year. In the
survey, respondents identified several key areas where improving
operational efficiency can help grow their business:
- RUNNING PAYROLL: Small business owners spend a
significant amount of time on administrative tasks (e.g.,
payroll, HR and benefits administration)—time they believe would be
better spent on tasks related to running and/or growing their
businesses; they are also embracing technology as a means of
reducing administrative burdens.
- A majority of small business owners say they would dedicate
time saved on administrative functions to running their businesses
(50%) or growing them (42%).
- More than one-third believe that redeploying time spent on
payroll to other activities would lead to an increase in company
revenue.
- More than half indicate that they'd be interested in using
their mobile devices to aid with administrative tasks (e.g.,
payroll).
- LIFESTYLE: The definition of "the office" is changing
and small business executives are spending a significant amount of
time outside of the office.
- Nearly all respondents (90%) say that they spent at least some
time outside of the office, with an average of 9 hours per week—23%
of a 40-hour work week.
- Thirty percent (30%) of those respondents indicate that the
amount of time spent outside of the office is increasing.
- MOBILE USAGE: Smartphones are currently a frequent
companion to small business owners nationwide due to their ease of
use and functionality.
- Six out of 10 executives surveyed own a Smartphone and 80% of
Smartphone users use them for business.
- Respondents using mobile devices for business do so primarily
to aid with customer relations (77%) and time management
(53%).
To meet the changing needs of its small business clients, ADP is
investing heavily in solutions that help business owners do more
with less, quickly and from wherever their business—or their
lifestyle—takes them. The most recent example is the launch
of RUN Powered by ADP® mobile payroll, the first mobile version of
its popular payroll platform, which allows small businesses to
manage their payroll remotely from an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.
For more information on RUN Powered by ADP® mobile payroll,
or the survey referenced in this release, visit
www.adp.com/mobilepayroll or call 1.800.CALL.ADP
(1.800.225.5237).
Methodology
A representative sample of small U.S. businesses with 1-49
employees was targeted for the recent online survey sponsored by
ADP and was conducted using the online panel of eRewards.
Qualified respondents were the final purchase decision-maker in the
company for systems/services in payroll, HR, and benefits.
Respondents included Presidents/CEOs/Owners/Partners,
CFOs/Controllers, EVPs/SVPs/VPs/General Managers and
Directors/Managers. Quotas were set by employee size groups
to ensure that the sample reflected the profile of all small
businesses in the United States,
as reflected in ADP's in-house database, which combines Dun &
Bradstreet and the Yellow Pages. Once the data came in, the
industry profile of the study sample was compared to ADP's database
to ensure that no industry group was over- (or under-)
represented.
About ADP
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADP), with nearly
$9 billion in revenues and about
550,000 clients, is one of the world's largest providers of
business outsourcing solutions. Leveraging over 60 years of
experience, ADP offers a wide range of HR, payroll, tax and
benefits administration solutions from a single source. ADP's
easy-to-use solutions for employers provide superior value to
companies of all types and sizes. ADP is also a leading
provider of integrated computing solutions to auto, truck,
motorcycle, marine and recreational vehicle dealers throughout the
world. For more information about ADP or to contact a local
ADP sales office, reach us at 1.800.225.5237 or visit the company's
website at www.ADP.com.
SOURCE ADP
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