MYOB Small Business Panel Indicator Survey (Online)

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(Introduction)

Thank you for agreeing to participate in this research study. Your time and effort is greatly appreciated.

The questions that follow will explore your opinions about a broad range of small business, economic and government issues.

Please read each question and follow the instructions to record your reply. Some questions ask you to type in a comment.

PLEASE DO NOT USE THE BACK AND FORWARD BUTTONS IN THE BROWSER.

Instead, please use the "Next" and "Back" buttons at the bottom of each page.

If you do not have time to complete the survey in one session, simply click the “Quit” button at the bottom of the page and you can return to where you left off at a later stage by clicking the same link.

Click on "Next" to continue.

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Firstly, we would like to collect a few details about you and your business

S1. Are you the owner, general manager, or a key decision-maker of this business?

1. Business owner 2. General manager but not a business owner 3. Key decision maker 4. Other (specify)

S2. Not including yourself, approximately how many full time employees does your company have in Australia?

1. No other employees apart from me (sole trader) 2. 1 full time employee 3. 2 full time employees 4. 3 full time employees 5. 4 full time employees 6. 5-9 full time employees 7. 10-19 full time employees 8. 20-50 full time employees 9. 51-100 full time employees 10. More than 100 employees

Q1. Thinking about the current performance of your own business, do you think your business is performing?

1. Very Well 2. Quite well 3. Not very well 4. Not at all well 9. Unsure/don’t know

Q2. Thinking about the next twelve months, how confident do you feel about the prospects for your own business?

1. Extremely confidant 2. Fairly confidant 3. Neutral 4. Fairly worried 5. Extremely worried

Q3. Now thinking about the performance outlook for your own business over the next 12 months, do you think your business will perform...

1. Better than now 2. Worse than now 3. No change 9. Unsure/don’t know

Q4. You mentioned that you expect your business (***) over the next 12 months, what are the factors underpinning your expectation? Please select all that apply

Current tax levels Future proposed tax changes - going up Future proposed tax changes - going down Petrol prices too high Petrol prices forecast reduction Employment market favourable for employers Lack of available trained workers to draw on Increase in Government investment in my industry Decrease in Government investment in my industry Increase in competitive activity Decrease in competitive activity Organic growth of my industry is increasing Decline in growth rate of my industry Consumer/end user trends changing favourably Consumer/end user trends changing unfavourably None of these Other (please specify)

Q5. Listed below are a number of issues that your business will deal with over the next 12 months. Thinking only about your own business, please indicate your outlook for each of these issues:

1. Very positive, 2. somewhat positive, 3. Neutral, 4. Somewhat negative, 5. Very negative, 6. Not applicable

Sales Cash flow Business costs Profitability Competitor activity Federal Government policies Local Government policies Exchange rates Interest rates Business systems (IT, accounting) Marketing and customer relationships Q6. How do you feel your sales have changed over the last 12 months?

1. Increased strongly 2. Increased somewhat 3. About the same 4. Decreased somewhat 5. Decreased strongly 9. Unsure/don’t know

Q7. How do you feel your business expenses have changed over the last 12 months?

1. Increased strongly 2. Increased somewhat 3. About the same 4. Decreased somewhat 5. Decreased strongly 9. Unsure/don’t know

Q8. How do you feel your business profit has changed over the last 12 months?

1. Increased strongly 2. Increased somewhat 3. About the same 4. Decreased somewhat 5. Decreased strongly 9. Unsure/don’t know

IF Q8 (1/2) ASK Q9

Q9. How much has your business profit increased? Your best estimate is fine

1. 1 - 5% 2. 6 - 10% 3. 11 - 15% 4. 16 – 20% 5. Over 20% 9. Don’t know / not sure

IF Q8 (4/5) ASK Q10

Q10. How much has your business profit decreased? Your best estimate is fine

1. 1 to 5% 2. 6 to 10% 3. 11 to 15% 4. 16 to 20% 5. Over 20% 9. Don’t know / not sure

Q11. Do you expect your business revenue to increase, decrease or remain unchanged in the next 12 months?

1. Increase 2. Decrease 3. Unchanged 9. Don't know/Unsure

If Q11 (1) ASK Q11a

Q11a. How much do you expect your revenue to increase in the next 12 months?

1. 1-5% 2. 6-10% 3. 11-15% 4. 16-20% 5. More than 20% 9. Unsure/don’t know

If Q11 (2) ASK 11b

Q11b. how much do you expect your revenue to decrease in the next 12 months?

1. 1-5% 2. 6-10% 3. 11-15% 4. 16-20% 5. More than 20% 9. Unsure/don’t know

Q12. Thinking more generally about the condition of the overall Australian economy over the next 12 months time, do you think it will perform….

1. Better than now 2. Worse than now 3. No change 9. Unsure/don't know

13. Do you personally think there will be an economic recession in Australia in the next 20 years?

1. Definitely will be 2. Probably will be 3. Probably will not be 4. Definitely will not be 9. Unsure/don’t know

IF Q13 YES (1/2) ASK Q14

14. How far away do you think the next economic recession in Australia is most likely to be?

(Note: there are no right or wrong answers – it’s your opinion we are interested in.)

1. Within the next year 2. Within the next 2 years 3. Within the next 3 years 4. Within the next 4 years 5. Within the next 5 years 6. Within the next 6-10 years 7. Within the next 11-20 years 9. Unsure/don’t know 15. How important do you feel is it to plan and prepare your business to survive through an economic recession?

1. Very important 2. Somewhat important 3. Neither important nor unimportant 4. Somewhat unimportant 5. Not at all important

16. Have you spoken with an accountant or financial adviser about developing a plan or strategy to ensure your business survives through an economic recession?

1. Yes 2. No 9. Unsure/don’t know

17. In light of current economic issues, how concerned are you about the following areas:

1. Very concerned, 2. Somewhat concerned, 3. Neither concerned nor unconcerned, 4. Somewhat unconcerned, 5. Very unconcerned, 9. Unsure/don’t know

Interest rates Petrol prices Business costs Tax levels Skills shortage Sales Cash flow Business profit Debt – repaying loans Exchange rates

Q18. How would you rate the Federal Government's current performance in contributing to the development of small business in Australia?

1. Very poor performance 2. Somewhat poor performance 3. Neither good nor poor performance 4. Somewhat good performance 5. Very good performance 9. Unsure/don't know

Q19. If an election for the House of Representatives was held today, which party would you vote for?

1. Australian Democrats 2. Australian Greens 3. Australian Labor Party 4. Christian Democratic Party 5. Country Liberal Party-The Territory Party 6. Family First Party 7. Liberal Party of Australia 8. National Party of Australia (The Nationals) 9. One Nation Party 10. Independents 11. Other (specify) 12. Don’t know 13. Refused 14. Don’t care/ No political interest Q20. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull?

1. Kevin Rudd 2. Malcolm Turnbull 3. Don’t know / Not sure 4. I don’t want to answer this question 5. Don’t care/No political interest

Q21. Who do you think would make the better Treasurer out of Wayne Swann and Julie Bishop?

1. Wayne Swann 2. Julie Bishop 3. Don’t know / Not sure 4. I don’t want to answer this question 5. Don’t care / No political interest

Q22. Overall, how satisfied are you with the leadership of the Federal Government?

1. Completely satisfied 2. Somewhat satisfied 3. Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 4. Somewhat dissatisfied 5. Completely dissatisfied 9. Unsure/don’t know

IF Q22 (4/5) ASK Q23

Q23. What areas do you think need to be improved?

Open ended

Q24. How would you rate your State Government's current performance in contributing to the development of small business in your region?

1. Very poor performance 2. Somewhat poor performance 3. Neither good nor poor performance 4. Somewhat good performance 5. Very good performance 9. Unsure/don't know

Q25. Overall, how satisfied are you with what your local council does for small business?

1. Completely satisfied 2. Somewhat satisfied 3. Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 4. Somewhat dissatisfied 5. Completely dissatisfied 9. Unsure/don’t know

IF Q25 (4/5) ASK Q26

Q26. What more could your local council be doing for your local small business community?

Open ended Q27. Within the next 6 months, do you expect to invest money in order to help your business grow?

1. Yes 2. No 9. Unsure/don't know

IF Q27 (1) ASK Q27a;

Q27a. And approximately how much money do you expect to invest in the next 6 months specifically to help grow your business?

1. Less than $5,000 2. 5,000 - $9,999 3. 10,000 - $50,000 4. More than $50,000 9. Don't Know / Unsure 98. Will invest nothing to grow the business

Q28. Is your business currently funded by loans/borrowings?

1. Yes 2. No 9. Unsure/don’t know

Q29. Is your business likely to default on loans/borrowings in the next 12 months?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Maybe 9. Unsure/don't know

Q30. Do you feel it has become more difficult to borrow money now in comparison to one year ago?

1. A lot more difficult 2. A little more difficult 3. About the same 4. A little less difficult 5. A lot less difficult 9. Unsure/Don’t know

Q31. Do you intend to hire or reduce employees within the next 12 months?

1. Hire more employees 2. Reduce employees 3. Neither hire nor reduce 4. I am a sole trader and do not intend to hire 9. Unsure/don't know

If Q31 (1) ASK Q32;

Q32. How many employees do you intend to hire in the next 12 months?

1. 1 employee 2. 2 employees 3. 3 employees 4. 4 employees 5. 5 employees or more If Q31 (2) ASK;

Q33. How many employees do you intend to reduce by in the next 12 months?

1. 1 employee 2. 2 employees 3. 3 employees 4. 4 employees 5. 5 employees or more

Q34. How do you usually find your employees? Please select all that apply

1. By advertising in newspapers 2. By advertising on the Internet 3. Through family/friends/other employees in my company 4. Via professional association 5. Through recruitment agency 6. Other (specify)

If S2 (1) skip Q35

Q35. What percentage of your employees are *** ; Percentages must add up to 100%.

Full-time permanent Part-time permanent Contract Casual Other (specify)

Q36. Which of the following best describes your personal aspirations as a business owner and the reasons why you choose to run your own business?

Please read the following carefully and select one only.

RANDOMISE ORDER It’s more a lifestyle choice for me as I do not need to make a lot of money to be 1 happy. I enjoy the benefit of being able to take a day off during the week to spend time with my family, and also to take a vacation whenever I chose. It’s more than being able to work when I want, but also that I can choose the projects I want to work on. I am still driven to build my business, but in a lifestyle framework that is far more balanced. My aspiration would be/is to grow and expand the business. The overall aim of 2 running my own business is either to build the business up to the stage where it provides me with a very good living, or where it can be sold for a large profit. The business is really a secondary consideration as my purpose is more about 3 pursuing my passion. Owning a small business allows me the freedom to work in a profession I get excited about. I would probably continue to do this even if my business only made a modest profit on some jobs and even losses on others, just because I’m passionate about it.

Q37. Overall, how has running your own business affected your work-life balance?

1. Very negatively – I have much less personal time than I used to 2. Negatively – I have a little less personal time than I used to 3. No impact 4. Positively – I have a little more personal time than I used to 5. Very positively – I have much more personal time than I used to 9. Unsure/don’t know Q38. In a ‘typical’ work week, how many hours do you work to run your business? Your best estimate is fine

1. 0-10 hours 2. 11-20hours 3. 21-30 hours 4. 31-40 hours 5. 41-50 hours 6. 51-70 hours 7. Over 70 hours

Q38a. Of the (INSERT RANGE PREVIOUS QUESTION) hours you work in a typical week, how many hours would you personally spend doing business accounting and/or bookkeeping related activities? Your best estimate is fine

Open ended

Q38b. Of the (INSERT RANGE PREVIOUS QUESTION) hours you work in a typical week, how many hours would you personally spend using your MYOB accounting software? Your best estimate is fine

Open ended

Q39. Does your business offer accounting, bookkeeping or financial planning services to its customers?

1. Yes 2. No

Q40. Thinking about your business overall… are there any challenges or difficulties you are facing RIGHT NOW that get in the way of achieving your business goals?

Open ended

Q41. How easy or difficult do you personally find the following tasks in your business: DP – please randomise list

1. Very easy, 2. Somewhat easy, 3. Neither easy nor hard, 4. Somewhat difficult, 5. Very difficult, 6. Unsure/don’t know, 7. N/A: Does not apply to my business

Managing the business cashflow

Marketing to get more new customers

Getting funding to grow the business

Access to affordable and reliable business advice (e.g. marketing, cash-flow, strategy, etc)

Chasing customer payments

Managing existing staff performance

Q42. Overall, how satisfied are you with the systems and processes your business has in place today for… DP – please randomise list 1. Completely satisfied, 2. Somewhat satisfied, 3. Neither satisfied or dissatisfied, 4. Somewhat dissatisfied, 5. Completely dissatisfied, 6. Unsure/don’t know, 7. N/A: Does not apply to my business

Managing the business cashflow

Marketing to get more new customers

Getting funding to grow the business

Access to affordable and reliable business advice (e.g. marketing, cash-flow, strategy, etc)

Chasing customer payments

Managing existing staff performance

IF Q42 “Managing Business Cashflow” is (4/5) ASK Q43;

Q43. In what way is managing business cashflow difficult for your business? Open ended

IF Q42 “Chasing Customer Payments” is (4/5) ASK Q44;

Q44. In what way is chasing customer payments difficult for your business?

Open ended

Q45. Do you offer ‘payment terms’ to your customers so they can pay you at a later date (e.g. 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, etc)?

1. No – do not offer payment terms

2. Yes – to ALL customers

3. Yes – to MORE THAN HALF of my customers

4. Yes – to LESS THAN HALF of my customers

If Q45 (2/4) YES; ASK Q46-Q51

Q46. What, if any, ‘payment terms’ does your business most commonly offer its customers?

1. 7 days

2. 14 days

3. 30 days

4. 30 days from end of month

5. Other, please specify ______

Q47. How does your business usually assess whether customers are allowed ‘payment terms’? Please select all that apply.

Multiple Responses

Customer Credit Applications Customer Trade or Credit Reference Report from a credit agency Personal recommendation from others None Other (specify)______

Q48. Has an outstanding customer payment (e.g. an overdue invoice) ever had a major impact on your business?

1. Yes – major impact

2. Yes – minor impact

3. No

4. Don’t know / can’t recall

Q49. How, if at all, does your business follow-up late customer payments? Please select all that apply.

Multiple Responses

1. Resend the Invoice/Statement

2. Phone

3. Email

4. Letter – on business letterhead

5. Letter – on legal letterhead

6. Visit in person

7. SMS/Text Messages

8. Other specify ______

9. None of these - don’t have late customer payments

10. None of these- don’t follow up late customer payments

IF Q49 (9/10) SKIP Q50

Q50. In your business, who is mostly responsible for chasing outstanding payments from customers? Please select all that apply.

Multiple Responses

1. Business Owner

2. General Admin / Accounts Receivable

3. Sales Staff

4. Bookkeeper – in house

5. Bookkeeper – external

6. Debt Collection Agency - external

7. Other, please specify ______

Q51. Which, if any, of the following has your business used in the last 5 years? Multiple Responses

1. Debt Collection Agency 2. Debtor Insurance 3. Debtor Financing 4. Legal Action to collect outstanding invoice payments 5. Other, please specify ______6. None of these

Q52. Does your business have a domain name registered?

1. Yes 2. No 9. Unsure/don't know

Q53. Does your business have a website?

1. Yes 2. No 9. Unsure/don't know

If Q53 (2) ASK Q54;

Q54. Would you consider getting a website in the near future?

1. Yes 2. No 9. Unsure/don’t know

If Q54 (2) ASK Q54a;

Q54a. Why not?______(open-ended)

If Q53 (1) ASK Q55- Q59

Q55. Do you sell goods or services via your business website (e.g. an online shopping or e-commerce facility)?

1. Yes 2. No 9. Unsure/don't know

Q56. How long ago did you set-up a business website?

1. Less than six months ago 2. Six months to less than 1 year ago 3. 1 to 2 years ago 4. 3 to 4 years ago 5. 5 to 6 years ago 6. 7 to 10 years ago 7. 10+ years ago

Q56a. How easy/difficult was it to set up your website?

1. Extremely easy 2. Relatively easy 3. Neither easy nor difficult 4. Relatively difficult 5. Extremely difficult 9. Unsure/don’t know

Q57. When did you last update or change your business website in some way?

1. Within the last month 2. Within the last 1-6 months 3. Within the last 7-11 months 4. Within the last 1-2 years 5. 2+ years ago

Q57a. How easy/difficult is it to maintain your website over time?

1. Extremely easy 2. Relatively easy 3. Neither easy nor difficult 4. Relatively difficult 5. Extremely difficult 9. Unsure/don’t know

Q58. What is the name of your website hosting provider? ______(open-ended)

Q58a. Where is your web-hosting provider located?

1. Australia 2. Overseas 9. Unsure/don't know

Q59. How much money do you expect to spend on your website (excluding marketing) in the next two years?

1. Under $500 2. 500-$1000 3. 1001- $2000 4. 2001-$5000 5. 5001-$10 000 6. Over $10 000 9. Unsure/don't know

D1. What is the main product, service or activity that your business provides? ______(open-ended)

D2. What industry does your business operate in?

1. Agriculture 2. Manufacturing 3. Electricity, gas and water supply 4. Construction 5. Wholesale trade 6. Retail trade 7. Accommodation, cafe and restaurants 8. Transport and storage 9. Communication, media and marketing services 10. Finance and insurance 11. Property and business services 12. Government administration and defence 13. Education 14. Health and community services 15. Cultural and recreational services 16. Personal and other services 17. IT/Information & Communications Technology 18. Tourism 19. Other (specify)

D3. Which state is your company predominantly based in?

1. NSW 2. VIC 3. QLD 4. SA 5. WA 6. TAS 7. NT 8. ACT

D4. What is the postcode where your business is located? If you have more than one office please indicate the postcode where your business headquarters are based.______(open-ended)

D5. Does your business operate out of a household/home office?

1. Yes 2. No

D6. Does your business conduct most of its day-to-day work at these premises, or away from these premises?

1. At premises 2. Away from premises

D7. How long has your business been operating?

1. Less than 1 year 2. 1 to less than 2 years 3. 2 to less than 3 years 4. 3 to less than 5 years 5. >5 to less than 10 years 6. 10 years or more

D8. Which of the following broad categories describes your company's annual turnover?

1. Under $50, 000 2. 50, 000 to less than $100,000 3. 100,000 to less than $500,000 4. 500,000 to less than $1 million 5. $1 million to less than $5 million 6. 5 million to less than $10 million 7. 10 million or more 9. Don't know/Unsure

D9. Does your business sell products or services primarily to other businesses or consumers/customers?

1. Businesses 2. Consumers/ customers 3. Both 4. Other (specify) 9. Don't know/Unsure D10. What percentage of your overall business expenses does each of the following areas account for (your best estimate is fine)? Percentages must add up to 100%.

Rent and property costs Salary/wages Software and hardware Plant equipment, furniture, materials and inventory costs Marketing, advertising and sales Energy use - electricity, gas, water, oil/petrol Research & Development costs Administrative costs - human resource management, accounting, finance Other (specify)

D11. Approximately how much do you spend on your accountant per annum?

1. Less than $500 per annum 2. Between $500 and $999 per annum 3. Between $1000 and $1999 per annum 4. Between $2,000 and $2,999 per annum 5. Between $3,000 and $3,999 per annum 6. Between $4,000 and $4,999 per annum 7. Between $5,000 and $5,999 per annum 8. Between $6,000 and $6,999 per annum 9. Between $7,000 and $7,999 per annum 10. Between $8,000 and $9,999 per annum 11. More than $10,000 per annum

D12. What is your gender?

1. Male 2. Female

D13. Which of the following categories best describes your age?

1. Under 18 years 2. 18-24 years 3. 24-29 years 4. 30-39 years 5. 40-49 years 6. 50-59 years 7. 60-65 years 8. Over 65 years 9. I don't wish to answer this question

D14. Which of the following best describes your current marital status?

1. Not married 2. Divorced/Separated 3. Married 4. Living with partner (de facto spouse relationship) 5. Other (specify) 6. I do not wish to answer this question

If D14 (3/4) ASK;

D14a. What is your partner's/ spouse's occupation?______(open-ended) Please enter your response into the box below.

D15. Which of these best describes your household...

1. Single living at home with parents 2. Single, sharing accommodation with other adults 3. Single, living alone 4. Single with children living at home 5. Single with children who do not live at home 6. Married/de facto with children who live at home 7. Married/de facto with children who have left home 8. Married/de facto with no children 9. Other

D16. Which of the following ranges best describes your total household annual income before tax?

1. Under $25,000 2. $25,000 - $39,999 3. $40,000 - $59,999 4. $60,000 - $74,999 5. $75,000 - $99,999 6. $100,000 - $149,999 7. $150,000 - $199,999 8. $200,000+ 9. Don't know/Unsure 98. I do not wish to answer this question

D17. Do you have personal responsibility for deciding what software; tools or systems are used in relation to your accounting and bookkeeping?

1. Yes, sole responsibility 2. Yes, joint responsibility 3. No / don't know

D18. Does your business currently use MYOB accounting software?

1. Yes 2. No

If Q18 (1) ASK D19-D22

D19. Who uses MYOB software in your business? Please select all that apply.

Business Owner / Manager - in house Bookkeeper/accounts/admin person - in house Bookkeeper/accounts/admin person - outsourced/external Accountant - in house Accountant - outsourced/external Spouse/partner Other (specify) Don't know / Not sure

D20. Of these users, who uses MYOB software the most in your business?

D21. Please select the MYOB software program(s) you are currently using in your business: Please select all that apply.

Just Invoices Business Basics Accounting Accounting Plus Premier Premier Enterprise First Edge (Mac) Account Edge (Mac) M-Powered Services Payroll Enterprise Power Pay Retail Basics Retail Ready Retail Manager Retail Hospitality Accountant's Office Viztopia Single View Other (please specify)

For responses provided in D21, ASK;

D22. How likely are you to recommend each of the following to another business owner? (for each of the products selected in Q21)

1. Definitely recommend 2. Probably recommend 3. Not sure 4. Probably not recommend 5. Definitely not recommend) 9. Don’t know/Unsure

ASK ALL

D23. How long ago, if at all, did you last complete a survey like this for MYOB?

Never done an MYOB survey before Within the last 6 months Longer than 6 months ago

------Thankyou Page------

This completes the survey. Thank you for your participation!

Please enter your contact details below, so that we can enter you into the prize draw and send you the report of the findings.

Your Name: [text box]

Your Business’ Name (if different from above): [text box] Phone (include area code): [text box] (please do not enter spaces in the phone number field)

Email: [text box]

Are you willing to be contacted by journalists to interview you about your answers to this survey? 1. Yes 2. No ------New Screen------

RECRUIT TO MYOB SMALL BUSINESS PANEL

ASK ONLY IF NEW SAMPLE FROM MYOB:

IF ALREADY ON PANEL, SKIP TO AMR RECRUIT

Finally, we are inviting people who own or work in a small business, either inside or outside of the home, to join the MYOB Small Business Panel. Participation involves answering a number of short online surveys, similar to the survey you just completed, over the course of the year.

Every time you complete a MYOB survey you will be eligible to go into a prize draw, and receive a summary report for you to compare your views against the views of other members of the Panel. You will also have the opportunity to express opinions, views and concerns on small business issues.

A. Would you like to become a member of the MYOB Small Business Panel? 1. Yes – Go to next page 2. No – Skip to ‘END 1’

RECRUIT TO AMR SMALL BUSINESS PANEL:

In addition to the MYOB Small Business Panel, we would also like to invite you to take part in the AMR Interactive Small Business Panel, which provides you with an opportunity to give your views on a wider range of topics. By participating in each AMR Interactive survey, you will be entered into a prize draw, but will not receive a summary report.

B. Do you wish to participate in the AMR Interactive Small Business Panel? 1. Yes 2. No

C. How many surveys would you be willing to complete per year? 1. 1-3 2. 4-6 3. 7-10 4. Over 10