The UK’s small firms are showing increasing optimism for 2014 as businesses remain positive about the economic outlook.
Latest research from the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) Small Business Index suggests small firms want to grow their business. John Allan, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Confidence has been in positive territory for a full year, giving economic growth solid foundations moving into 2014. Small firms are creating more jobs and investing in their business and there are encouraging results behind the headline figures, with promising trends evident across the main areas of expansion, investment and employment”.
We’re certainly feeling optimistic about 2014 and are forecasting upturns in revenues as well as staffing levels for the first quarter. I’m sure we’re not alone.
Growth itself brings a different set of challenges to times of constraint. When you have more work than you can cope with, it’s difficult to keep on top of the operational side of the business. Whether it’s the bookkeeping or the HR, or just that giant pile of admin, now is the time to start thinking ahead. We’re experts in all these areas, but we’ll be spending the last part of 2013 preparing for 2014 and giving ourselves a bit of a health-check!