Business performance and expectations
This part of the site shows the results from the survey. Please alter the option in the boxes to view specific country or industry results (results in percentage).
2. In the past year, has the number of people you employ:
47
Increased
16
Decreased
36
Remained the same
3. In the last 3 years has your turnover/revenue:
65
Increased
14
Decreased
20
Remained the same
4. Please indicate the trend you expect for your business over the coming year, that is whether you expect it to increase, decrease or remain the same, in the following areas:
| Increase | Decrease | Remain the same | Not applicable |
| Turnover/revenue | 68 | 8 | 21 | 1 |
| Selling prices | 43 | 14 | 38 | 4 |
| Exports | 23 | 3 | 20 | 50 |
| Employment | 45 | 10 | 44 | 0 |
| Profitability | 59 | 13 | 25 | 1 |
| Investment in new buildings | 34 | 6 | 44 | 14 |
| Investment in plant & machinery | 47 | 4 | 36 | 11 |
Constraints on growth
This part of the site shows the results from the survey. Please alter the option in the boxes to view specific country or industry results (results in percentage).
5. To what extent are the following constraints on your ability to expand/grow your business? Please use a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 is not a constraint, and 5 is a major constraint:
| 1-LOW | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5-HIGH |
| Cost of finance | 34 | 21 | 23 | 14 | 7 |
| Shortage of working capital | 37 | 21 | 21 | 12 | 10 |
| Shortage of long term finance | 42 | 21 | 17 | 12 | 7 |
| Regulations/red tape | 20 | 18 | 26 | 20 | 15 |
| Availability of skilled workforce | 20 | 20 | 28 | 20 | 12 |
| Shortage of orders/reduced demand | 25 | 20 | 25 | 15 | 13 |
6. Could you indicate approximately how quickly your sales invoices are currently paid in average days?
14
1 - 7 days
21
8-29 days
41
30-59 days
13
60-89 days
6
90-119 days
3
120+ days
Profit margins
This part of the site shows the results from the survey. Please alter the option in the boxes to view specific country or industry results (results in percentage).
7. Compared with one year ago, would you say pressure on profit margins for your company has?
20
Increased substantially
40
Increased
27
Remained the same
11
Decreased
2
Decreased substantially
8. Below is a list of potential drivers of profit margin pressure. Please can you rate these on a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 is no driver and 5 is a major driver?
| 1-LOW | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5-HIGH |
| Increased cost of fuel | 18 | 15 | 19 | 23 | 23 |
| Increased cost of raw materials | 18 | 12 | 19 | 24 | 26 |
| Pressure from customers to keep costs down | 9 | 10 | 25 | 29 | 27 |
| Increased domestic competition | 12 | 14 | 25 | 25 | 23 |
| Increased international competition | 36 | 14 | 19 | 15 | 12 |
| Employment related costs | 9 | 15 | 32 | 26 | 16 |
| Currency fluctuation | 36 | 17 | 22 | 12 | 8 |
| Compliance with government regulations | 19 | 17 | 25 | 21 | 16 |
9. Below is a list of potential drivers of profit margin pressure. Please can you rate these on a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 is no driver and 5 is a major driver?
| Yes | No |
| Increasing prices | 51 | 47 |
| Reducing prices (to increase sales) | 43 | 54 |
| Reducing costs | 87 | 12 |
| Increasing marketing/sales campaign | 69 | 28 |
| Eliminating non-core services/activities | 49 | 47 |
| Reducing excess capacity | 49 | 46 |
| Investing in new technology/systems/procedures | 76 | 20 |
| Merging with or acquiring other companies | 29 | 67 |
| Improving cash management | 81 | 17 |
| More involvement of senior management in key client management | 76 | 21 |
