After a year filled with ups and downs, the small business climate ended 2011 on a positive note that could continue into 2012, according to a new study.
The National Small Business Association (NSBA) recently released its 2011 Year-End Economic Report, and the organization found that 75 percent of entrepreneurs are more confident about the state of their businesses now than they were over the past three years, which is up from 64 percent six months ago.
However, the study also showed some less-than-sunny outlooks. Sixty-six percent of small business owners still believe that the economy will remain relatively flat through 2012, yet 20 percent see an economic expansion on the horizon - a jump from 12 percent half-way through 2011.
"Despite some cyclical ups and downs we've seen in the past several years, this report indicates real growth for the small-business community," NSBA President Todd McCracken said. "Although we are far from where we need to be, it appears that small businesses have turned an economic corner."
Whether entrepreneurs anticipate a full economic recovery in the next few months or in several years, they must continue to operate their businesses with a better future in mind. To keep their businesses on the forefront of consumers' minds, it is important that they engage in multi-channel marketing campaigns that utilize direct mailing lists, telemarketing, email, print advertising and other platforms.