News-Press
Ocotober 9, 2011

Florida business mindset in doldrums

Florida business leaders haven’t entirely lost their case of the blues. That’s according to two recent surveys — one from Fort Myers-based ad agency Quenzel & Associates, another from American Express — which aimed to find out what was on business owners’ minds. Their questions aren’t identical. The locally originated survey has somewhat more-positive responses.

Some of the major takeaways: Quenzel & Associates

• Southwest Florida-based business leaders are more hopeful for the 2012 economy (37 percent) than respondents overall from across the nation (30 percent).
• Respondents overall are even more optimistic for their industry’s 2012 outlook (43 percent).
• On revenue growth, 58 percent of respondents anticipate growth for 2012; 34 percent project a flat year; and 6 percent expect a decline.

Survey details: Annual online survey, targeting more than 1,000 business owners and senior managers in these main sectors: travel / tourism, retail / consumer products, real estate / construction / home services and medical or other professional services.

About half the businesses were based in Florida. Nearly 300 responded, of which 10 to 15 percent were Quenzel clients. Company co-owner Earl Quenzel says: “It’s another set of data points to make sure we’re not just talking to ourselves” when consulting with clients on business plans and marketing.