Women business owners are gloomy about the economy but plan to increase hiring in 2012. Their two most important strategic objectives are improving management efficiency and product and service quality.
Small businesses and minority businesses were hard hit by the recession, especially manufacturing and construction. The Gazelle Index survey shows they plan to increase future hiring.
Unemployment went down in December from 8.7% to 8.5%. But more importantly, jobs increased in industries hardest hit by the recession, manufacturing, construction and retail.
The Gazelle Index survey shows that hiring will increase in 2012; 27% of small businesses will increase hiring and 14% will cut. We forecast a 7.8% or lower unemployment rate.
