'Sleepworking' Affects More Than Half of Small Businesses
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 3, 2008--More
small-business owners and managers are working harder than ever to
make their business dreams come true... even while they sleep.
According to the 2nd Annual Staples National Small-Business Survey
(NASDAQ: SPLS), more than half of small-business professionals said
that work has actually become part of their dreams. Fifty-one percent
of those surveyed said that they "sleepwork" (i.e. dream about work),
and nearly 70 percent of those "sleepworkers" report they wake up and
put their "work dreams" to action.
The survey also revealed that 98 percent of U.S. small-business
owners and managers are working during their time off - including
nights, weekends and vacations - and nearly 54 percent expect to work
even harder in 2008.
"Our customers often tell us there just aren't enough hours in the
day, so it's understandable that business activity is invading sleep
time," said John Giusti, vice president of small business marketing at
Staples. "At Staples, we work hard to make sure it is easy for small
businesses to buy office products, helping them focus their time and
energy on running their businesses - and hopefully to get a good
night's sleep."
Other interesting results include:
-- The car remains a favorite place to work, with 72 percent
saying they make business calls while driving and nearly 40
percent saying they get their best ideas behind the wheel.
-- Slightly more than 38 percent cannot remember the last time
they took a vacation.
-- If given a choice, nearly 52 percent said they would accept
comparable business results in 2008 if they could have twice
as much free time, while 48 percent said they would work even
more hours if they could double their company's sales.
-- More than 84 percent said they have not yet incorporated "new
media" (blogs, podcasts, virtual meeting software or services)
into their business activities.
-- Fifty-two percent make New Year's resolutions for their
business. Of those, 58 percent said they resolve to increase
business, while only 21 percent said they want more time off.
Thirty-five percent said they want to increase
profits/eliminate debt.
The Internet poll - which surveyed 300+ small businesses with no
more than 20 employees - explored what is causing the insatiable need
to work, as well as the obstacles preventing these hard-working
Americans from enjoying their free time afforded by previous
generations.
The results revealed organization and teamwork are the top factors
why owners and managers are working so many hours. Nearly 70 percent
admitted they do not have a written business plan. Almost
three-quarters consider themselves organized, but only 33 percent said
they complete the tasks on their "to-do" list each day. Slightly more
than two-thirds said they feel constantly challenged by not having
enough time to get work done and nearly 44 percent said customer
fulfillment takes up the majority of their time while at work.
When asked to compare their businesses to a track and field event
at the Olympics, a mere 14 percent said their business operates like a
relay race, with everybody working in tandem toward the same goal,
whereas 26 percent think of business operations as a 100-meter dash,
always sprinting and trying to do everything quickly.
Looking ahead to 2008, when it comes to key issues and politics,
more than half of those surveyed said they have already started
looking at the presidential candidates' positions on small business.
Almost 32 percent said the price of gasoline is the most important
issue for them next year, with nearly 18 percent citing taxes as their
hot-button issue.
And, finally, to "wake" and shake things up in their business,
nearly a quarter of those surveyed said they would hire Starbucks' CEO
Howard Schultz (to help expand); slightly more than 20 percent would
hire Donald Trump (to seize opportunities); and nearly 14 percent
reported they would bring in Richard Branson (to help think outside
the box).
How Staples Makes Things Easy
Recognizing the importance of time for its small-business
customers, Staples strives to serve as a central resource, providing a
host of products and services to help increase workplace productivity.
In January, to help small business customers get organized for the New
Year, Staples will be offering 20 percent back in rewards on all
products from our best brands, including Avery, Post-It, Sharpie,
Scotch, QuickBooks, Swingline, HON, Uni-ball, Quartet, GBC and
Command.
About the Survey
The survey was developed by Staples and conducted by Decision
Analyst, Inc. in Arlington, TX. Decision Analyst surveyed by Internet
a nationally-representative random sample of 302 owners and executives
of American businesses having no more than 20 employees. All
respondents were members of American Consumer Opinion(R) online,
Decision Analyst's proprietary Internet based consumer-opinion panel
with over 7,000,000 members globally. Interviews were conducted from
December 7 to December 11, 2007. Such a sample has a margin of error
of plus or minus 2.0 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. For
more information about American Consumer Opinion(R) online please
visit www.acop.com.
About Staples
Staples, Inc. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and
today is the world's largest office products company. With 74,000
talented associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buy
a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology,
furniture, and business services. With 2006 sales of $18.2 billion,
Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based
businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 22 countries throughout North
and South America, Europe and Asia. Headquartered outside of Boston,
Staples operates more than 2,000 office superstores and also serves
its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract
businesses. More information is available at www.staples.com.
CONTACT: For Staples, Inc.
Jackie Guzman, 561-998-1995 x14
jguzman@tilsonpr.com
or
Katie Sullivan, 508-253-0879
katie.sullivan@staples.com
SOURCE: Staples, Inc.
