Small business owners’ concerns with inflation and lack of workers hit record low
BY NANCY DAHLBERG
Small businesses are gloomy about their future, with an index of future expectations plunging to a 48-year low. The top concerns: inflation and worker shortages.
The National Federation of Independent Business optimism index stood at 93.2 in April. The net share of owners expecting better business conditions in the next six months eased one point to a record low. Five of the 10 components that make up the small business sentiment gauge fell, as fewer owners said now was a good time to expand and fewer plan to boost inventories.
About 32% of respondents said inflation is still their biggest operating challenge, up slightly from March and the highest since the fourth quarter of 1980. That share has risen in six of the last seven months, NFIB data show. Monthly surveys began in 1986.
Throughout his 48-year career in finance, Frank Fink has served in numerous financial and operations management positions. He advises clients on best practices for financial, supply chain controls and contracts. As a certified profit mastery facilitator, Fink leads clients through the intensive 16-hour Small Business Development Center’s financial training program. He holds degrees and certifications from Indian River Community College, Barry and Villanova universities.
According to the survey, more owners expected business conditions to worsen over the next six months. Still, the share of owners raising average selling prices eased slightly from March’s record high.
Labor quality was the second-biggest problem and planned compensation changes are still elevated.
“Small business owners are struggling to deal with inflation pressures,” Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB’s chief economist, stated. “The labor supply is not responding strongly to small businesses’ high wage offers and the impact of inflation has significantly disrupted business operations.”
Small businesses – nationally and locally – have had difficulty filling vacancies and don’t always have the same resources as large firms to attract new talent. While large businesses posted solid hiring gains in April, those with fewer than 50 employees saw a 120,000 drop in payrolls, the worst in two years, ADP Research Institute data showed.
“If the pandemic was not enough, now small business owners and operators are dealing with inflation, supply chain and workforce issues,” said Frank Fink, business consultant with the Florida SBDC at Indian River State College. “The good news is small business owners do not have to navigate this challenging marketplace alone.”
To Fink’s point, the Treasure Coast is home to multiple business assistance programs including the Florida SBDC at Indian River State College, which provides no-cost business consulting. From in-depth financial review to strategic planning sessions or one-on-one discussions with business owners to simply discuss and generate ideas in addressing current market challenges, the SBDC and its credentialed consultants are ready to meet.
For more information on scheduling a meeting with the SBDC, please email Katie Muldoon at FSBDC@IRSC.edu or call 772.336.6285.
See the original article in the print publication
Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email staff@tcbusiness.com
