Only 15 percent of the small business owners in a recent survey expect the number of jobs to increase at their companies over the next 12 months.
The survey, by Wells Fargo and Gallup, found that only 13 percent of the survey respondents expect a decrease in jobs at their businesses. When asked which factors would lead them to hire more employees in 2012, 27 percent of small business owners said it would happen when revenue or sales have increased, 20 percent said when the economy improves, and 17 percent if they need to support growth or expansion plans at their businesses.
Robert Lennon, president and CEO of SANDirect, a global data storage company based in Charlotte, N.C., told the pollsters he has added two new employees this year. However, when asked about his company’s growth plans, he said he anticipates continued growth, but is proceeding with caution.
“Revenue increases will justify expanding our workforce,” he said. “Ideally I’d like to add up to six more employees in 2012, but I’m hesitant to assume that risk until we see concrete evidence of a market upswing.”
