Entrepreneurs in 2012 - Losing Sleep but not Losing Hope

Entrepreneurs in 2012 - Losing Sleep but not Losing Hope PR Newswire LONDON, October 9, 2012 LONDON, October 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Optimism presides: Many more SMEs are optimistic than pessimistic despite tough times in the last year Working hard for new customers: A majority of SMEs in five out of six countries reported increases in new customers. The average working week for a business owner is 42.8 hours, but the Germans work 8.5 hours longer, on average, than the British Stresses and strains: The downturn has brought more stress to 43% of SMEs and 31% reported sleeping problems. More women reported stress, sleeplessness and health problems than men Eager but lacking language skills: SMEs who had recruited school leavers or graduates gave them higher ratings for keenness and motivation than for language skills Few SMEs seek outside help: Only 22% of SMEs had turned to outside help from elected representatives and business groups - and those which did preferred a business organisation or a local representative to a national politician. A wide-ranging report published today gives a unique and revealing portrait of entrepreneurs in Europe and the USA as they cope with another year of economic crisis. Despite financial pressures, stress and sleeplessness, they still have faith in their futures and maintain the determination to succeed. http://photos.prnewswire.