Hiring intent remains consistent during first quarter

4/6/2011

Small business owners are just as intent to hire new help as they were during the last quarter of 2010, a new report from Vistage indicates. This shows that entrepreneurs are largely remaining optimistic about their business prospects during 2011, despite the wavering economy.

As many as 54 percent say they plan to hire more staff during the first quarter of 2011, which is consistent with Vistage's fourth quarter report. Intent to hire is at its highest level in four years, the company noted.

However, many small business owners remain skeptical about the economic recovery. Only 50 percent of those polled said they feel the economy will improve, a 9 percent drop from the 59 percent who thought this at the tail end of 2010.

"[Economic optimism] has stalled because there is a new level of uncertainty. That is not surprising, given the events in Japan and the Middle East," said Vistage International CEO Rafael Pastor.

If companies are having trouble affording new workers, they may want to consider taking out commercial loans. This will help them be able to pay the wages of new employees.