Survey: Small Businesses, Middle Market Companies Agree Growth is Priority

Small businesses and middle market companies in the U.S. are in growth mode, according to the American Express Business Growth Pulse. The survey found that 92% of middle market firms ($10M -$1B in revenues) and 80% of small businesses with less than 100 employees and at least $250,000 in revenue say growth is the top priority for their firms. A greater number of middle market companies expect their businesses to grow in the next quarter (see here for advice), with more than one in five saying they expect their companies will be “expanding by leaps and bounds.”

However, the road to growth is not free from obstacles. Acquiring new customers is the biggest hurdle to growth for small businesses (22%), while middle market companies’ biggest challenges include managing the rising cost of doing business and increasing competition. You can view more here for further details on the same!

“Although small businesses and middle market companies are both focusing on growth, they are taking different paths to expansion,” said Susan Sobbott, president, American Express Global Commercial Payments. “Small enterprises will look to grow by acquiring new customers while middle market companies will look to expand by both acquiring new customers as well as making infrastructure and equipment investments in their business.”

While acquiring new customers presents a challenge to growth for many, small businesses view this action on the page as their primary path to growth (39%). Middle market companies however are saying that both acquiring new customers and increasing investments in infrastructure and equipment would most help them grow (each, 15%).

Cash Flow Proves a Challenge; Middle Market Concerns Linked to Growth

Cash flow issues present another obstacle as businesses manage their day-to-day operations and strive for long term growth. Cash flow concerns are higher among middle market companies (65%) than small businesses (49%), with one-in-five middle market companies (20%) saying they are ‘very concerned’ (versus 8% of small businesses).

Middle Market Companies:

Over the last quarter, nearly half of middle market companies (46%) say they experienced a cash flow crunch and nearly three-in-ten (28%) attribute their cash flow issues to investments in the business.

Looking ahead, nearly four-in-ten (39%) middle market companies expect the ability to invest in long-term growth to be their greatest cash flow concern next quarter.

Small Businesses:

• Small business cash flow concerns are more likely to be related to day-to-day management of the business rather than plans for growth.
• Looking back several months, more than one-quarter of small businesses (27%) say they experienced a cash flow crunch. They attribute their cash flow issues in the previous quarter to an unexpected decrease in sales (28%).
• Further, small businesses (25%) expect collecting accounts receivable to be the biggest cash flow worry next quarter.
• When they experience a cash shortage, the primary method middle market businesses (23%) will use to obtain funds is to take out a business line of credit. Small businesses will dip into cash reserves (23%).

Long Term Growth Drives Financing Hunt; Middle Market Most Likely to Seek Financing

Growth is the main driver behind business’s quest for financing. According to the survey, the main reason small and middle market businesses would consider securing additional financing for their companies is in order to pursue a long term growth plan (31%). The top three reasons to seek additional financing vary by size of the business:

Small businesses say they would consider seeking additional financing in order to:

• Pursue a long term growth plan (26%)
• Get through short-term seasonal swings/business downturns (20%)
• Take advantage of a short term growth opportunity (19%)

Middle market firms’ reasons for considering additional financing include being able to:

• Pursue a long term growth plan (41%)
• Take advantage of a short term growth opportunity (33%)
• Invest in marketing, advertising or PR (33%)
• Hire new employees (33%)
• Offer a new line of products or services (33%)
• Make capital investments the company has been putting off (32%)

Significantly more middle market companies (60%) compared to small businesses (25%) anticipate the need to pursue financing in the next 12 months.

When evaluating different business financing options, the most important decision-making factor for small businesses (74%) is the rates/fees charged. Middle market businesses say the most important decision-making factor when evaluating business financing options is ensuring that their data is protected against security breaches (61%), followed closely by full disclosure of loan details and rates/fees (60%).