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What say you?
Do you take on friends/family as customers?
14% - Sure! The more the merrier.
57% - Sometimes, but tread with caution
28% - No, best to avoid wherever possible
Understanding Micro Business Survey
Our biannual sur
vey takes the pulse of our solo and micro business community. From growth plans to business challenges, marketing to money, workstyle to lifestyle, Understanding Micro Business reveals emerging trends and identifies what makes this key business sector tick.
Download your pdf copy of the 2010-2011 survey findings here.
Understanding Micro Business, 2010-2011 was generously supported by Intel and first published at the end of April 2010. It involved 1,330 members of our community.
Here's a snapshot of the areas covered by the survey:
Survey methodology
Demographics
- Gender
- Age
- Income
- Location
Business Information
- Industry
- Nature of business
- Selling capabilities
- Use of outside help
- Challenges
- Future Plans
Characteristics, habits and behaviours
- Love, life and money
- Internet, phone and computer issues
- Purchasing decisions
- Networking style
- Website development and usage
Download your pdf copy of the 2010-2011 survey findings here.
Anatomy of Australia’s micro business owner
While the world of micro business is tremendously diverse, with no such thing as a ‘typical’ business, let’s have a crack at outlining the anatomy of Australia’s micro business owner.
Here are seven key findings from the survey:
- We’re experienced. Of the 1,330 survey participants, 46% fell into the 40-54 age bracket, with a further 36% in the 25-39 range.
- We’re established. 57% have been in business for over three years (the majority of this group over five) with a further 23% in the 1 to 3 year range.
- We’re doing okay financially. Those in the $104-$129k bracket are double the national average and top bracket personal incomes are four times the national average. That said, the constant battle of finding new clients/customers was still identified as the biggest challenge.
- We work from home, solo. Around 70% operate from a home base and do so as a lifestyle choice. Two thirds of us are the only person working in the business. 51% of us do not have children living at home with us.
- Most of us sell services. Over 50% sell services only, versus 10% selling products only. The remainder sell both.
- We talk to each other. While online social networking is on the rise as a way to generate new business, traditional word-of-mouth marketing is still the best source of new business for a staggering 85% of us.
- We’re happy and optimistic. Eight out of ten respondents are happy in their work, optimistic about the future and enjoying running their own show.
Once again, a big 'thank you' to our wonderful community. Your help is invaluable to us both in terms of shaping Flying Solo’s future and spreading the word about Australia's largest business sector.
From where we’re sitting, the future looks bright!
If you would like to discuss any aspect of survey, please make contact.
Copies of the 2008 survey can be downloaded here.
Copyright © 2005-2012 Flying Solo Pty Ltd · Web design by Sharkey Media
Small Business is Australia's fastest growing sector – this business community site was created for those running a small business of one to five people. Here the solo and micro business owner will find small business forums, a small business directory, free resources, help, tips and advice on: starting a small business; working smarter when working from home; effective small business marketing; small business networking; the solo psyche; staying balanced as a small business owner; small business technology advice and small business finance tips.
