Majority of Small Business Owners and Managers State Financial Outlook for Their Companies Looks to be Better in Second Half of 2009 Compared to First Half of 2009

Buffalo Grove, IL, August 26, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The majority (66%) of small business owners and managers surveyed during a Small Business Research Board (SBRB) poll, conducted in conjunction with IPA, indicated they expect the financial outlook for their businesses to be better during the second half of 2009 as compared to the first half of 2009.

Furthermore, approximately 59% of small business survey participants indicated they have been able to sustain their revenues and avoid the need for further cost reductions.

According to the survey, businesses in the Midwest region reported the highest amount of confidence regarding the financial outlook for their businesses, as approximately 75% of the small business owners and managers surveyed in this region indicated they expect the financial outlook for their companies to be better in the second half of 2009 as compared to the first half of the year.

Small business owners and managers in the South/Southwest and West/Pacific regions were the least confident with regards to the outlook of their companies, as 38% of survey participants in each of these regions stated they expect the financial outlook for their companies to be worse in the second half of 2009 as compared to the first half of 2009.

Survey participants in the Midwest region were most optimistic with regards to sustaining revenues, as approximately 69% of those surveyed indicated they have been able to sustain their revenues and avoid the need for further cost reductions. Conversely, owners and managers in the South/Southwest region displayed the least amount of optimism with regards to this topic, as 45% of survey participants stated they have not been able to sustain their revenues and avoid the need for further cost reductions.

The Small Business Research Board ascertains and reports the opinions of small business owners and managers on a wide variety of topics related to their own businesses as well as national and international issues that may impact their operations. The SBRB conducts these studies for the benefit of small business owners and managers. The SBRB also provides opportunities for third parties to gain real-time insight into the attitudes of small businesses nationwide through the independently conducted research.

The universe of participants is developed from among small businesses across the United States. The SBRB study is a voluntary survey conducted via phone and e-mail. The latest information about the Small Business Research Board can be found at www.ipasbrb.net.

IPA is the largest privately held provider of management consulting services to small- and medium-size businesses in North America. IPA, based in Buffalo Grove, Ill., and its more than 1,600 professionals offer a wide range of proven and innovative methodologies to help businesses grow and prosper regardless of the economic cycle. IPA either provides directly, or through its affiliated companies, a comprehensive array of business advisory services, tax and estate planning services or merger, acquisition and other financial advisory services in the United States and Canada. More information about IPA can be found at www.ipa-c.com.

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Copyright 2009 Small Business Research Board (SBRB)

For more information about this poll, results of previous studies or other matters related to the SBRB, please contact Ashley Kasicki, (800) 531-7100.