analysis
quarterly trends analysis
BAB-75 April 2010 Analysis
The second quarter survey looked for advisers' views on the prospects for the UK economy, the prospect of a 'hung' parliament, actual policy proposals versus media interpretation, pension arrangements, government provided business support and benchmarking their businesses. The UKBAB trends questions are included as usual.
BAB-74 January 2010 Analysis
This 2010 first quarter survey seeks your views on holding back on expansion ideas until after the election, the business impact of adverse weather conditions, short term cash flow difficulties, cash flow projections, advising the under 25s plus the UKBAB trends questions.
BAB-73 October 2009 Analysis
The October survey was the fourth of the quarterly surveys of the UK Business Adviser Barometer. There are many activities designed to encourage, advise and support new and growing businesses. This quarter's survey asks questions on the sourcing of new ideas and seeks to learn about the ways in which findings from activities undertaken and lessons learned by advisers are disseminated to others. Also included are three questions on the reporting of enterprise and entrepreneurs by the media plus the usual quarterly trends questions. The UKBAB trends questions were also included.
BAB-72 July 2009 Analysis
The July survey was the third of the quarterly surveys of the UK Business Adviser Barometer. This quarter's survey sought views on a range of current issues including a question on whether the recession is making people more or less decisive in business. Other topics include external debt financing, finance and credit management procedures, the internet in the present recession, adopting a more innovative mindset, working with neighbouring/like minded businesses, and customers/suppliers from outside the UK. The UKBAB trends questions were also included.
BAB-71 April 2009 Analysis
The April survey was the second of the quarterly surveys of the UK Business Adviser Barometer. This quarter's survey sought views on a range of current issues including "the green shoots of recovery"; advice sought by clients on hours, pricing, and on selling or transferring their business; a further look at two key issues from in the 1st quarter survey: access to finance and sales/orders; marketing as a way to offset an economic downturn, and 'face to face' time. The UKBAB trends questions were also included.
BAB-70 January 2009 Analysis
The January survey asked for views on a range of current issues including credit lines, redundancy/unemployment, training, and new product design. The UKBAB trends questions were also included.
BAB-69 November 2008 Analysis
The November survey took Business Advisers' views on, amongst other things, growth in turnover as a high priority, the balance between business credit and debt , cutting of credit lines, provision of credit, advising on how to deal with a recession, the weakening pound and foreign workers heading home.
BAB-68 September 2008 Analysis
In the September survey, we repeated some of the July edition trends questions in order to keep pace with the rapidly changing economic conditions that prevail at present. We also included questions on how financial advice might have changed because of recent market conditions, low market demand, redundancy, potential business exits, the roots of late payment, becoming an Olympics supplier, and the outlook for the economy.
BAB-67 July 2008 Analysis
The July survey of UK Business Advisers asked questions on clientele in terms of geographical spread and years trading, the impact of the rise in fuel prices and the impending rise in energy costs upon clients, passing on price increases, stock levels and software packages for anti-virus and anti-spyware. The UKBAB trends questions were also included.
BAB-66 May 2008 Analysis
The May 2008 survey was a second Special Edition questionnaire for UK Business Support professionals, following that of September 2007. The survey was developed by the Nottingham University UKBAB team in conjunction with the SERTeam with sponsorship from Barclays Bank.
BAB-65 March2008 Analysis
In the March edition of the Barometer survey, we asked for views on increasing turbulence in global financial markets, the use of credit cards as a source of finance, family businesses, bank services, the 'sick note culture', the government's 'Train to Gain' initiative, Social Enterprises and 'follow up calls'.
BAB-64 January 2008 Analysis
In this first survey of 2008, we asked panellists for their views on how banks are interacting with business with respect to external debt finance, the forthcoming changes in Capital Gains Tax, trade credit and business fraud.
BAB-63 November 2007 Analysis
November's survey took soundings on the impacts of EU enlargement, cash flow, access to external finance, house prices, the strengthening of sterling against the dollar and included 3 questions related to proposed changes to the survey.
BAB-62 October 2007 Analysis
For the October survey we invited panellists to give their views on Urban regeneration, recent turbulence in financial markets, business books as a resource, business mentors (other than the panellists themselves), local business networks, businesses perceived as being 'small', regular chats about business related matters, community / social enterprise start ups, management training and clients with staff surfing the web for personal reasons.
BAB-61 September 2007 Analysis
The September survey was a Special Edition questionnaire for UK Business Support professionals. Joining our regular panellists were consultants and advisers from the wider business adviser community, sharing their views on the state of UK business, their own roles and the health of the economy. This will provide a timely insight from the professionals working at the 'coal face' and will assist the new Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) in developing appropriate policies.
BAB-60 August 2007 Analysis
In the August survey we invited panellists to give their views on the recent bad weather, wages, public procurement, the reduction in the number of bank and building society branches, late payment, bank charges, business failures and new ventures and personality traits that contribute to success. In total 155 Business Advisers responded to this Survey.
BAB-59 July 2007 Analysis
The July survey asked for panellists' views on seeking funds for clients, websites, Ministers for specific UK regions, professional standards - accreditation, gaining work, switching off machines, working from home, and 'complementary businesses'.
BAB-58 June 2007 Analysis
The June survey sought panellists' views on management (a more in depth look at a theme taken up in the April survey), sources of business information, business networking, clients' acceptance of problem diagnosis, client referral, encouraging new job creation, the attributes of a Business Adviser plus the Trends questions for the second quarter of 2007.
BAB-57 May 2007 Analysis
For the May survey we invited panellists to give their views on what is the most important problem facing business today, what is important for stimulating business, 'micro-finance', clients and their personal professional development, the Small Business Forum, training plus, retirement and other work related questions.
BAB-56 April 2007 Analysis
The April survey revisits a series of questions posed in June 2005 on behalf of government on the subject of New Product Development. Also included this month are questions on intellectual property rights, taking on debt, the ‘entrepreneurial spirit’, advice and associated fees plus, what should your clients concentrate upon if they had the use of an expert for the day.
BAB-55 March 2007 Analysis
March’s survey seeks your views on support agencies with specialised capabilities, unpaid labour, graduates starting up, blogs and podcasts and corporate identity theft plus the quarterly trends questions.
BAB-54 February 2007 Analysis
February's survey seeks your views on business continuity, insurance, the environment and green credentials, alternatives to 'face to face' meetings and grants plus a question on Intellectual Property and competitive advantage.
BAB-53 January 2007 Analysis
The first survey of 2007 looks at the supplier/customer relationship, starting a business and familiarity with WiFi. Panellists' views were also sought on school leavers and graduates and the value they bring to business.
BAB-52 December 2006 Analysis
December's survey asked panellists for their views on responsibilities that banks have to their smaller business customers, comparing the charges and services of alternative banks, 'WiFi' technology and the UK as a business location plus the usual quarterly trends questions.
BAB-51 November 2006 Analysis
The themes for the November survey were pension reforms and investment, road pricing schemes, 'Family friendly' policies, changing banks, cash flow, business websites, running/managing a business and the 3rd annual UK-wide Enterprise Week.
BAB-50 October 2006 Analysis
The October survey seeks your views on government regulations, literacy and numeracy, R&D tax relief, staffing levels, time management, clients' notion of CSR, skills course design, skills bartering and work experience placements.
BAB-49 September 2006 Analysis
For the September survey we invited panellists to give their views on Continuing Professional Development, membership of a professional body, capitalisation of Start Ups, resistance to change in organisational culture and training for innovation. We also asked if clients believe that "The customer is always right" and this month sees the usual quarterly trends questions.
BAB-48 August 2006 Analysis
The themes of the 48th UK Business Adviser Barometer Survey were: sources of professional competition to business advisers, business 'Health Checks', corporate social responsibility, keeping in touch with work whilst on holiday, the focus of your business strategy, how entrepreneurs are regarded, how business failure is regarded, public procurement for smaller businesses, the driving force behind small business and what makes your clients most irate when trying to run their business successfully
BAB-47 July 2006 Analysis
July's survey asked panellists for their views on the biggest threat facing the UK economy, companies engaging in Research and Development, advising graduates, advising clients on staff wages and salaries, internet search engines, banking and tolerance of late payment.
BAB-46 June 2006 Analysis
In the June 2006 survey we invited panellists to give their views on dealing with complaints, truthfulness, trust, language skills of exporters plus the quarterly trends questions.
BAB-45 May 2006 Analysis
The May survey invited views on stimulating business, online purchases, flexible working hours, , the government target for women in business, economic crime, marketing or finance - which of the two would you prioritise? , finance and the smaller business, and trade shows.
BAB-44 April 2006 Analysis
The April survey asked Advisers about which activities yield the greatest profits, public provision of business support, the number of women seeking their advice, environmental sustainability issues, formal presentations, approaches to obtaining business including from tendering and/or direct marketing plus a question on the depiction of business in programmes such as 'The Apprentice' and 'Dragon's Den'.
BAB-43 March 2006 Analysis
The March survey sought views on the latest marketing "must dos", guiding RDA business support strategies, raising the value of the Business Adviser Barometer experience, online tax returns, monitoring competitors' prices, dealing with suppliers plus the quarterly trends questions. The trends charts from the responses to the regular quarterly questions can be found on the Trends page accessible from the Home page.
BAB-42 February 2006 Analysis
February's survey sought panellists' views on social enterprises, online trading and over 50's start ups.
show older surveys
hide older surveys
BAB-41 January 2006 Analysis
The first survey of 2006 included questions on insurance cover for temporary incapacity, dependency upon IT, time set aside for own training, reviewing costs, outsourcing administrative services, accreditation and adviser/client confidentiality.
BAB-40 December 2005 Analysis
December's survey asked panellists for their views on encouraging exporting, upcoming Employment Equality Regulations, effective management styles, keeping clients up to date, the main source of concern for clients' businesses plus the quarterly trends questions.The trends charts from the responses to the regular quarterly questions can be accessed from the project's home page www.UKBAB.ac
BAB-39 November 2005 Analysis
The 39th UK Business Adviser Barometer Survey was shorter than usual, with only seven questions this time. Themes were: security problems, payment behaviour, cash flow, trading online and market research.
BAB-38 October 2005 Analysis
The October survey themes were: key influences on a firm's growth rate, the National Minimum Wage, marketing costs, business advice and expertise, time allowed for strategic matters and the medium to long term economic future compared to a year ago.
BAB-37 September 2005 Analysis
For the September survey we invited panellists to give their views on graduates seeking advice on starting a business, graduates as promising entrepreneurs, under 25s and enterprise training, Production and Manufacturing start ups, collateral, businesses with more than five full time employees, start ups by sector plus the quarterly trends questions. The trends charts from the responses to the regular quarterly questions can be found via the 'Trends' link on the UKBAB 'Home ' page
BAB-36 August2005 Analysis
The August survey put a series of questions posed by the Small Business Service, which offer the opportunity to examine more closely themes touched upon in the quarterly trends questions. Also included are questions on the subject of IT and on the recent increase in oil prices. In total 269 Advisers responded to this Survey.
BAB-35 July 2005 Analysis
The July edition of the Business Adviser Barometer offered a set of questions chosen by The Professional Oversight Board for Accountancy (POBA), part of the Financial Reporting Council. POBA is looking at the effects of recent changes such as higher audit thresholds and new reporting and auditing standards on companies, the accountancy profession and business advisers in general. The mix of respondents to questions changed from past months as well - many new respondents were members of professional accounting bodies, thus broadening the included range of types of advisers used by businesses. Altogether 441 Advisers responded to this Survey.
BAB-34 June 2005 Analysis
The June survey looks further at a theme aired in the April survey, that of New Product Development; touching upon aspects such as available advice, product/service design, limiting factors and intellectual property. This month also sees the return of the quarterly trends questions. The trends charts from the responses to the regular quarterly questions can be found via the Trends link on the Home page.
BAB-33 May 2005 Analysis
The May survey sought views on stimulating business, the need for a new and fresh approach to business support, growing your customer base, purchasing online, the National Minimum Wage, the working time directive, the length of the working week, priority of family commitments, contingency planning, business and lifestyle: alterpreneur or entrepreneur? and cheque processing delays
BAB-32 April2005 Analysis
The topics covered in the 32nd UK Business Advisers Barometer Survey were: the UK road infrastructure; training needs analyses; 'elearning'; the best route to greater growth; local business crime prevention initiatives; follow up questions on media coverage for smaller businesses; managing waste paper; breaking for lunch; developing new products/services; marketing expenditure; RDA management of the Business Links service; and tax returns as they relate to accounting dates.
BAB-31 March 2005 Analysis
For the March survey, we invited panellists to give their views on the business impact of the budget, The National Employer Training Programme, keeping in touch with contacts, media coverage for smaller businesses, choice of venue for client meetings plus the quarterly trends questions. The trends charts from the responses to the regular quarterly questions can be found on the project's website at www.ukbab.ac
BAB-30 February 2005 Analysis
The February survey sought views on late payment, switching banks, outsourcing, set ups by sector and externally provided training.
BAB-29 January 2005 Analysis
The first Barometer survey of 2005 enquired about growth aspirations for businesses, types of legislation as constraint or encouragement for growth, sources of advice by type, acquisition of work and, following recent headlines on the health and performance effects of caffeine, preferred beverage throughout the day.
BAB-28 December 2004 Analysis
December's survey asked panellists to name a single issue of concern for their clients and sought views on Work/Life balance, management style, clients following advice, computer glitches, IT skills and authors of computer software.The trends charts from the responses to the regular quarterly questions can accessed from the Home page of the UKBAB website.
BAB-27 November 2004 Analysis
November's survey sought panellists' views on the suitability of clients to run a business. It also asked about satisfaction and stress in running businesses. Other topics covered were data back up, Internet banking, the New Company Law bill, continuing EU membership, whether Business Skills should be a compulsory subject in schools, the retirement age and advice for female owner managers compared to males.
BAB-26 October 2004 Analysis
October's survey asked for panellists' views on the 'single most important problem' confronting business, then on aspects of red tape: new dismissal rules, new firm formation / small firm growth, Inland Revenue conduct, use of government e-services, also businesses' reactions to unsolicited phone calls, problems for clients of having a small customer base, crime against businesses and discussing business matters with other business advisers.
BAB-25 September 2004 Analysis
September's survey sought views on developing new product ideas, current account interest, second mortgages, easier access to university research and working to capacity plus the quarterly trends questions. The trends charts from the responses to the regular quarterly questions can be accessed from the UKBAB home page.
BAB-24 August 2004 Analysis
The August survey asked for views on investment in plant & equipment, reinvesting profits, transfer of ownership, research & development tax credit, holidays and abuse from customers.
BAB-23 July 2004 Analysis
The July survey asked for views on Creative Problem Solving techniques and training, work based learning and to rank various aspects of government service.
BAB-22 June 2004 Analysis
Question topics in the June Survey included aspects of recruitment, pressures on pay and profitability, providing advice on Corporate Social Responsibility generally and on environmental and sustainability issues specifically, and the outlook for net employment levels. As this was the end of the quarter, the questions included 5 regular quarterly questions. The trends charts can be found at www.ukbab.ac/trends.html
BAB-21 May 2004 Analysis
The 21st UK Business Advisers Barometer Survey asked for views on EU enlargement, the quality of the postal service, credit as it affects sales and orders, recruitment, changes in the Telephone Preference Service and Continuing Professional Development.
BAB-20 April 2004 Analysis
The 20th UKBAB Survey asked for views on Time Management, use of the Internet, the 'Paperless' office, Environmental Sustainability, Smoking in the workplace and keeping up to date with government regulations.
BAB-19 March 2004 Analysis
The March Survey asked for views on absenteeism, insurance, impact of the Budget, and succession planning. Two questions, both on the impact of the Budget on small businesses, called for free-format responses and the responses to these will be published later.
BAB-18 February 2004 Analysis
The February survey was an exceptional one in that it was longer than normal, consisting of 16 questions instead of the usual 12. Ahead of the 2004 Budget, it focused strongly on aspects of business connected with the impact of regulation on growth, innovation and productivity. Respondents were asked what their top three practical choices were for government to reduce the impact of regulation on their businesses.
BAB-17 January 2004 Analysis
The January survey sought views on general business expectations, Business Adviser private practices, community of interest companies, employment law, home-based businesses, the 'terrorist threat', whether Britain is becoming more entrepreneurial, women starting a business, the sterling/dollar exchange rate and productivity growth. The question on 'why women are less likely to start a business than men' asked for a free-form response, and the summary and analysis of the findings from this question will be published separately from this report and a later date.
BAB-16 December 2003 Analysis
The December UK Business Adviser Barometer survey questionnaire received 136 responses. The Survey sought views on union recognition, changes in interest rates, the recent Inner City 100 Awards, client's websites and the Rugby World Cup.
BAB-15 November 2003 Analysis
The November UK Business Adviser Barometer survey questionnaire received 155 responses. The Survey sought views on electricity and gas prices, postal strikes, receiving email and email marketing, limited liability status, new business exit strategy, banks and meetings.
BAB-14 October 2003 Analysis
The October UK Business Adviser Barometer survey questionnaire received 140 responses. This Survey was asking for views on crime and security, monitoring client satisfaction, disability discrimination legislation, competition from accountants, regional variations in start up levels, regular custom, client base, clients using multiple sources of advice, resultant confusion, meetings and scheduling regular exercise. The report on regional variations in start-up levels will be published later.
BAB-13 September 2003 Analysis
The September UK Business Adviser Barometer survey questionnaire received 151 responses. This Survey was asking for views on delayed payment, expectations about the UK economy, advisers credentials and qualifications, computer based viruses and absenteeism. The quarterly 'trends' questions were also included this time.
BAB-12 August 2003 Analysis
The August UK Business Adviser Barometer survey questionnaire received 147 responses. With recent mention in the media of the increase in the rest of Europe in flexibility in the workforce versus skills lags in the UK, the emphasis in the August survey was on skills and externally sourced training.
BAB-11 July 2003 Analysis
The July UK Business Adviser Barometer survey questionnaire received 161 responses. The July survey sought views on the increased number of inspections, the 48 hour week, clients seeking advice on investment, current conditions for Start Ups, high tech clients, the benefits of management training, advising clients on work/life balance issues, advice on software, keeping pace with areas of advice and email usage.
BAB-10 June 2003 Analysis
The June UK Business Adviser Barometer survey questionnaire received 159 responses. The June survey was asking for views on likely influences on the future Euro Referendum vote, Director's pay, corporate social responsibility, business 'clusters' and labour market flexibility. The quarterly 'trend questions were also included this time.
BAB-09 May 2003 Analysis
The May UK Business Adviser Barometer survey questionnaire received 166 responses. The May survey was seeking views on the Euro, health and safety, difficult economic conditions, businesses and broadband, commercial property prices, pension arrangements, time off for leisure, hard to fill vacancies, new jobs and visits to UKBAB and UK Business Barometer websites.
BAB-08 April2003 Analysis
The April UK Business Adviser Barometer survey questionnaire received 163 responses. The survey was seeking views on the Budget, credit arrangements, red tape, savings on expenditure, Employment Tribunals, use of business advice, information websites, market demand, mature employees, average weekly hours, grants, and future questions.
BAB-07 March 2003 Analysis
The March UK Business Adviser Barometer survey questionnaire received 165 responses. It focused on broadband connection, the upcoming Budget, business reputation, training processes, buying an existing business, business support in rural areas, business journals plus the quarterly trend questions.
BAB-06 February 2003 Analysis
The February UK Business Adviser Barometer survey questionnaire received 156 responses. It focused on the most common motivation for starting a business, reasons for taking up management training, rights to flexitime, red tape, start up challenges for women, Business Adviser Practices, winning new business, rising business insurance premia, crime and security, raising finance and risk assessment.
BAB-05 January 2003 Analysis
The January UK Business Adviser Barometer (UKBAB) survey questionnaire received 144 responses. It focused on the Euro, community / social enterprises, client optimism, pension arrangements, the impact of the Armed Forces mobilisation, incorporating as a Limited Company, the use of PR, selling via the Internet and customer feedback.
BAB-04 December 2002 Analysis
The fourth pilot UK Business Adviser Barometer (UKBAB) survey questionnaire was sent out in mid-December 2002 and received 126 responses. The survey focused on job creation, barriers to starting up, home based businesses, temporary workers rights, late payment, net profit margins and bad debt and some questions which will be repeated every three months to yield trend indicators.
BAB-03 November 2002 Analysis
The November Business Adviser Barometer asked for views on Management, business information, networking, Business Adviser 'Surgeries', the % of women in top companies, inner city start-ups, skills development among clients, preparation by clients for advisory sessions, their involvement in the community and what you would like banks to give clients for Christmas.
BAB-02 October 2002 Analysis
The October survey focused on the marketplace for business advice, the impending effects of the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act, how business advisers would advise the government to encourage enterprise, ease for clients to change banks, clients' development of business acumen and the impact of the Internet.
BAB-01 September 2002 Analysis
The first survey of UK Business Advisers already begins to reveal some interesting information, even though the scale of this first edition of the survey was small and of a pilot nature. Several of the questions echoed those asked directly of small businesses in this month's UK Business Barometer survey so responses have been compared for those questions.
