We appreciate the response of both Chief Executive Boards International members and other small-to-midsize businesses to our recent Main Street Economic Survey. The links that follow lead to both the actual survey results and also a short video presentation of those results.

There were some overall results that we thought would be of interest to you:

• As you might expect, most businesses forecasted both revenue and income declining in 2009 -- on average by about 20-30%
• Not surprisingly, 8% of businesses reported 2009 as the "worst year ever".   5%, however, forecasted 2009 as their "best year ever".
• 2008, on the other hand, was reported as "best ever" by 21%, while 9% were already experiencing the downturn, reporting 2008 as "worst ever"
• We found no significant difference in responses based on business size -- smaller businesses were only slightly more optimistic about 2009 forecasts
• The most-cited reasons for business decline were "downturn in my customers' industry", followed closely by "downturn in my own industry", underscoring that either extraordinary strategic positioning or just sheer luck (never discount luck as a primary factor) has separated the fortunate from the unfortunate in this recession. Those fortunate enough to be serving recession-resistant customers should count their blessings or thank their strategic advisors.
• While geography was not part of this survey, across the CEBI membership luck again seems to be a factor. Members suffering the greatest hardships tend to be in Florida and Michigan, where entire industries (housing and manufacturing, respectively) have all but collapsed
• The forecasted timing of recovery in the respondents' businesses centered in Q3 and Q4 of 2009
• 2010 is forecasted by most to be an "about average" year, with both revenue and net income increasing in the 10%-20% range over 2009 results

Click Here for the full Survey Data

Click on the playlist below for a video of the Survey Overview presentation