Small businesses bringing economic stress home – Microsoft survey

I’ve just published a podcast interview and associated summary article at iTWire that has just been released by Microsoft Australia.

“It appears that many small businesses have clearly been hit by the reality of the global economic downturn as many of Australia’s small businesses are feeling the pinch and experiencing increased stress in this climate of uncertainty,” said Ms. Inese Kingsmill, director of small and mid-market business, Microsoft Australia.

38 percent of Australian small business (SMB or SME) owners and managers report their business is currently struggling or worse, when compared to this time last year. Of those, nine in 10 say the health of their business is having a negative impact on their personal lives.

I’d be extremely interested in hearing back about how you think these research results compare with what’s happening in your neck of the woods: North America, Europe, Asia or wherever.

The Australian federal government has just in the last few days admitted that it’s now inevitable, here Down Under, that we’re going to move into the same recession that they thought/hoped they had fended off by spending billions of dollars in economic stimulus packages.

My personal view is that we should continue to spend on iT, but do so rather more frugally and with explicit, definable targets in mind.

I certainly agree with the study that we should make better use of current IT resources -- such as by taking advantage of products like my very own NotesTracker to gain a better understanding of Lotus Notes usage and use Notes applications more efficiently! (Sorry, but we’ve all gotta make a living, eh?)

So, how’s business over there?