In advance of the 2012 election, a new survey shows confidence in Congress by business owners and leaders continues to plummet/ According to a survey released by Detroit business advocacy law firm McDonald Hopkins 2012 Business Outlook Survey, released Thursday, 64 percent are pessimistic about whether Congress will pass legislation to improve business conditions. It is a remarkable turnaround. Last year only 25 percent were pessimistic.
According to the more than 500 respondents, 66 percent expect U.S. business conditions to improve modestly, although last year, 77 percent expected modest improvements. The three greatest challenges facing the business community today are the increasing health care costs generated by the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010 (43%), retaining profit margins (40%) and growing federal state and local regulations (39%).
Optimism has also declined about the respondent’s own companies. Fifty-five percent expect business conditions in their own organizations to improve modestly compared to 61 percent in 2011. There were many comments like this one: “The biggest negative factor is the uncertainty caused by gridlock in Congress.”
Carl J. Grassi, president of McDonald Hopkins, noted that “a significant number of respondents took the time to write comments, many of which reflect their angst about the future while providing insightful ideas about how to solve the country’s economic problems.”
The 10-question survey was sent via email to clients and friends of the law firm during the first three weeks in January. Most of the survey participants are located in the states of Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Florida—the states where McDonald Hopkins has offices.
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- Blog: The Anecdotal Leader, a leadership blog
- Book: Life’s Leadership Lessons 53 anecdotal leadership lessons. Paperback, e-book, Kindle.
- Diversity information: Cultural Bridges – free information about more than 20 cultures.
- Networking: Employment Diversity in Michigan – a Linked In group for Human Resources professionals in Michigan.
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