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It Figures 07/05

Firing employees for blogs, working outside the office and more

Small-business owners spend

27% of

their time working outside their offices.
Statistic Source:"The HP 2005 Small Business Survey"

72%

say what they like most about being a small-business owner iscontributing to the local community.
Statistic Source:"The HP 2005 Small Business Survey"

25% of

survey respondents say it's acceptable to fire an employeebecause of something he or she posted on a blog.
Statistic Source:"Hostway Blog Survey"

An estimated

10% of

retail sales will occur online by 2008.
Statistic Source:Infosoft Research

61% of

U.S. executives say Spanish is the most useful second language inbusiness.
Statistic Source:TheLadders.com

21% of

U.S. adults have formulated a business plan.
Statistic Source:Register.com survey by Harris Interactive

Where do small-business owners seekadvice?
Individual mentors
Social networks
Trade associations
Business advisors
Internet
Chambers of commerce
52%
51%
44%
36%
31%
27%
The business skills entrepreneurs would mostlike to improve:
Customer service
Marketing
Financial planning
Decision making
Negotiations
HR
71%
67%
49%
45%
42%
29%

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