Monthly Polling Results

January 2022

January 31, 2022

SBIQ:56
Current Conditions Rating:58.1
Future Expectations Rating:54.5

Washington, D.C. (February 10, 2022)—Today, the Job Creators Network Foundation (JCNF) released its January Monthly Monitor poll of 500 small business owners. Although the survey’s Small Business Intelligence Quotient (SBIQ), an index tracking overall small business optimism, rose by one point to 56, entrepreneurs are concerned about the Biden administration’s agenda to address high inflation and supply chain complications.

More specifically, two-thirds of respondents believe the “Build Back Better” agenda will make inflation worse, as rising prices remain a top concern of small businesses. While the flagship BBB bill is dead in the water, components of it are likely to rise from the ashes. Additionally, 67 percent of small business owners believe the Biden administration isn’t doing enough to address supply chain problems.

Key takeaways include:

Inflation continues to be the biggest concern with 40 percent of small businesses saying it is their first or second biggest concern. Coronavirus restrictions and supply chain disruptions are also high on the list.
Sixty-six percent of small businesses think that the Build Back Better agenda will increase inflation and 67 percent of small businesses think the Biden administration isn’t doing enough to help supply chain issues.
Seventy-four percent of small businesses are concerned about coronavirus-related government mandates hurting their business.
Sixty-nine percent of small businesses think the economy is in fair or poor condition. That number jumps to 75 percent for employers with between two and nine employees.
Half of small businesses believe the economy is getting worse with only 27 percent saying better—the lowest number we’ve seen in nine months.
In January, overall small business optimism increased modestly from 55 to 56—the third lowest reading since the Monthly Monitor launched in May 2021.

View more polling details and crosstabs here.

Elaine Parker, President of the Job Creators Network Foundation, released the following statement:

“As with most Americans, small business owners experienced a modest boost of optimism going into the New Year. But that improvement can be chalked up to enthusiasm for a new start, rather than bettering economic conditions for Main Street. Entrepreneurs are still seriously concerned about high inflation and supply chain complications—two problems they believe Biden isn’t doing enough to address, or even making worse. And while recent strong GDP growth and job creation are encouraging, there was really nowhere to go but up from pandemic-era lows. At this point, economic recovery is on cruise control and the Biden administration is intermittently pumping the brakes with misguided public policy.”

Poll Results:

How Effective Is Corporate Diversity Training?

Very Effective	13%
Somewhat Effective	29%
Not that Effective	29%
Not Effective at All	18%
Unsure	11%

Should Companies Get Involved with Political Movements?

Yes	21%
No	67%
Unsure	12%

What Do You Agree with More? Race & Ethnicity Should Be Part of Hiring OR Job Qualifications Should Be the Only Criteria

Race	9%
Qualifications	87%
Unsure	4%

Would You Offer Employees Incentives to Get Vaccinated?

Yes	33%
No	54%
Unsure	13%

If Your Business Is Required to Enforce a Vaccine Mandate, Would You Anticipate Having to Fire Unvaccinated Employees?

Yes	34%
No	43%
Unsure	23%

If Your Business is Subject to a Vaccine Mandate, Will You Pass Costs Down to Employees?

Yes	31%
No	48%
Unsure	21%

If Your Business is Required to Enforce a Worker Vaccine Mandate, Will Employees Quit?

Yes	46%
No	37%
Unsure	17%

Should Employers Be The Ones Required to Enforce Worker Vaccines?

Yes	34%
No	52%
Unsure	14%

Do You Support a Vaccine Mandate on Employers with 100 or More Workers?

Support	47%
Oppose	48%
Unsure	6%

Will a Vaccine Mandate Make it Harder to Find Employees?

Yes	62%
No	23%
Unsure	15%

Would Requiring Businesses to Verify a Worker’s Vaccine Status Help or Hurt a Small Business?

Help	17%
Hurt	42%
No Impact	38%

Would Future Lockdowns with Business Restrictions Help or Hurt Small Businesses?

Help	16%
Hurt	68%
No Impact	15%

Are You Concerned About Covid Cases Causing Government Mandates That Will Impact Businesses?

Very Concerned	35%
Somewhat Concerned	39%
Not Concerned	26%

Are Supply Chain Problems Having A Negative Impact on Your Business?

Yes	60%
No	33%
Unsure	7%

Is the Biden Administration Doing Enough to Help Supply Chain Problems?

Yes	20%
No	67%
Unsure	13%

Is the Biden Administration Doing Enough to Combat Inflation?

Yes	18%
No	68%
Unsure	14%

Will Biden’s Build Back Better Bill Increase Inflation?

Increase	66%
Decrease	13%
Same	18%
Unsure	4%

What Do You Think About Applying a 5% to 8% Tax Surcharge on People Who Make $10 Million or More? (Includes Many Pass-Through Businesses)

Support	43%
Oppose	49%
Unsure	8%

Will Biden Administration Tax Increases Help or Hurt Small Business?

Help	21%
Hurt	60%
No Impact	14%