We commissioned this research to find out what was going on in the British psyche regarding business. The results send a clear message to us as a nation. We need to revive a national belief that “good” business is good business
(PRWEB UK) 10 October 2014
Over 2,000 respondents (gen GB adult population) described the world of business as:
- 47% Dog Eat Dog
- 29% Full of jargon
- 20% Corrupt and dishonest
- 7% Something I’d like my kids to go into
- 3% Caring and responsible
- 3% Attracts nice people
Welsh people were most likely to view the world of business as “dog eat dog” (60%).
Scots were four times more likely to describe it as “a force for evil” than people in the South East (12% vs. 3%).
Nearly a fifth (19%) of full-time students agreed with the “force for evil” statement, compared with the national average of 6%, and 3% of 55 or overs.
When it came to what should be important to a new business, getting customers was a clear priority, along with researching the business at 71% each, suggesting high levels of business understanding. However while this figure was 78% for the over 55s, it was 20% lower (58%) for those between 18-24, indicating a downward trend by generation.
LinkedIn users were significantly more likely to want their children to enter the world of business at 16%, compared with a national average of just 7% and just 4% in the North and North West.
Leading business growth advisor, David Kean said:
“We commissioned this research to find out what was going on in the British psyche regarding business. The results send a clear message to us as a nation. We need to revive a national belief that 'good' business is good business.
“For only 3% to believe business attracts nice people is extremely worrying – it means that the very thing that feeds the national purse is despised.
“But the research also shows that we are still at heart a nation of entrepreneurs and 71% understand that getting customers is what a business needs to do. However, there is a worrying trend in younger people towards not understanding the basics.”
Kean points the finger at TV “reality business” shows, a lacklustre approach by the Government and business figures who have fallen from grace:
“We have all, but particularly younger people, been ravaged by Dragons and soured by Sugar. A generation of bright, decent people has been put off going into business because they believe you have to be a ruthless fictitious stereotype. Heaped on top of this is the miserable failure of the Government to present business as an attractive option. Throw in a raft of media scandals surrounding a few bad apple business figures, and a perfect storm is created to turn people off going into business."
David Kean, who has advised a raft of FTSE 100 companies, continued:
“The ghastly reputation that the world of business has managed to acquire is a danger to our economy, a danger to our young and a huge pity for us all. We need to bring back the noble art of looking after customers, providing a decent service for them and to remember that we can do this. We are, at heart, a nation of industrious, conscientious natural business owners and workers.”
Results from the survey showed that if people were to set up their own business, they’d do things differently. When asked, in general, which elements they thought were important in setting up a new business, people answered as follows:
- Getting customers: 71%
- Researching the business sector/market: 71%
- Getting financed: 68%
- Writing a business plan: 66 %
- Finding out about government rules and regulations: 66%
- Finding a good accountant: 41%
- Getting a lawyer to protect your invention: 30%
David Kean continued:
“Overall, the survey shows that the Great British Public know what it takes to make a business work – i.e. getting customers. Which begs the question - why is there such a paucity of advice about how to do that? Why is all the focus on getting finance, getting lawyers, and tax systems? The Government’s online guide to starting a business kicks off with advice on debt and bankruptcy, for heaven’s sake.
“The findings of this survey support our original hunch that there is a real need for grown-up business advice that is less hysterical, more measured, less patronising and more experience-based than what's been available. Hence Caffeine on Demand's approach. Our courses are designed to give solid, proven advice to intelligent people who want to improve their business skills."
Survey details
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,009 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 2nd - 3rd October 2014. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
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o UK’s leading “Pitch Doctor”.
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o Author of: Pitching to Win – The Art of Winning New Business; How to Win Friends and Influence Profits: The Art of Winning New Business from Your Clients.
