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Archive for the ‘Business Confidence Index’ CategoryNext Entries »China Continues To Fuel The World EconomyWednesday, July 22nd, 2009  The World Bank recently raised its forecast of China’s economic growth rate to 7.2% in 2009 from its earlier forecast of 6.5%. It now projects GDP growth of the world’s third largest economy to reach 7.7% in 2010. Better than expected economic data from China is likely to raise hopes that the world’s largest emerging economy could help to pull the rest of the world out of recession. The National Bureau of Statistics announced an 8.9% jump in industrial output in May 2009 compared with a 7.3% rise in April. UK direct exports to China in April were down 9% from a year earlier at £468m, while direct imports were up 15 % at £1.52 billion. 1 All this growth and positivity is on the back of the fact that due to global change from the current recession, China’s overall competitiveness in the world has slipped to 20th position when compared to 17th position in 2008. 2 If you are interested in market research in China then please visit our website at http://www.b2binternational.com.cn/English/ 1 HMRC – http://www.hmrc.gov.uk Recession Clouds May Be LiftingTuesday, July 7th, 2009
The Chartered Institute of Marketing’s latest Marketing Trends survey shows hints of increasing business confidence among UK marketers. While 72% of the 1,223 marketers surveyed still do not think that the UK will completely pull out of recession by the end of this year, the number of respondents believing the situation will worsen over the next year halved – to 34% – compared to the last Marketing Trends survey conducted in autumn 2008. 35% expect business to improve throughout 2009, and more than a quarter (26%) believes the UK economy will improve over the next 12 months, a figure that compares favourably to just 11% in the previous survey. However, almost a third of respondents are concerned over losing their jobs in the next 12 months and 18% of self-employed marketers worry that the recession may force them to close their business this year. Nevertheless, while 2009 is still anticipated to be a tough year overall, there are definite signs that British marketers believe the worst may soon be over. Backing this belief, a survey of global marketers recently carried out by B2B International showed almost half of the respondents (47%) to be feeling optimistic about their own organisation’s prospects over the coming year. Meanwhile, the latest Business Trends report by accounting firm BDO Stoy Hayward LLP shows that UK businesses expect the pace of economic decline to slow markedly over the next quarter, supporting the UK Chancellor’s predictions of a recovery starting in Q4 2009. Light At The End Of The Tunnel?Thursday, May 21st, 2009
Good news at last! According to a new survey, business confidence is finally on the rise. For the second consecutive month in April, businesses’ optimism about both trading prospects and expectations for the wider economy has risen, with confidence now at its highest level for six months. More than one third (35%) of firms questioned in the Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets Business Barometer are anticipating brighter trading prospects over the coming 12 months, while only a fifth (21%) expect conditions to worsen. In a similar vein, a recent survey hosted by B2B International discovered that around a third (31%) of B2B organisations that have so far been largely or extremely affected by the recession are nevertheless optimistic about their organisation’s economic outlook. More positive signs have come recently with news from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising’s latest Bellwether survey that the decline in marketing spend slowed in the first quarter of 2009. So, while the recession isn’t over yet by any means, it’s reassuring that we are starting to see and hear signs of optimism. Take Part In A Survey Of Diversity & Ethnic GroupsTuesday, January 27th, 2009  London is one of the most diverse economies in the world having been shaped over the years by a huge influx of different people and a tolerant attitude which encourages groups of all kinds to move and act freely. Did you know that Londoners speak over 300 languages and belong to at least 14 different faiths? Did you know that nearly a third of the City’s population is from black, Asian or other minority ethnic (BAME) groups and over the next 10 years they will account for 80% of the increase in London’s working age population? Did you know that at least 5% of London residents are gay – and the economic value of the ‘Pink Economy’ in the Capital is estimated to be approaching £20 billion per annum? Sadly the cultural and ethnic diversity is not always represented in equal opportunities in the work place. Black, Asian or other minority ethnic graduates are less likely to secure good jobs compared to similarly qualified white graduates. One fifth of the working age population has a disability, yet only 11% are in employment. Women make up almost half of the workforce, but less than 10% of directors of FTSE 100 companies are women and they earn on average less than 75% of similar male incomes. These disparities are understandably of concern to Business Link in London. BLIL has commissioned market research specialists, B2B International, to find out how it can be of more help to these important communities by setting up panels of interested parties who will report back and give their views on business confidence. This will be the first ever Business Confidence Index representing minority groups including women, ethnic/faith groups, the elderly, the disabled, and those of a particular sexual orientation. Anyone who would like to take part in the survey and is located in the Greater London Borough district is invited to contact Nick Hague at B2B International info@b2binternational.com Next Entries » |
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