Monthly Polling Results

November 2023

November 30, 2023

SBIQ:51.9
Current Conditions Rating:52.5
Future Expectations Rating:51.4

Washington, D.C. (December 7, 2023)—Today, the Job Creators Network Foundation (JCNF) released its November edition of the Small Business IQ Poll of 400 small business employers. The Small Business Intelligence Quotient (SBIQ), an index tracking overall sentiment about the economy, fell to 51.9. That’s the lowest level recorded since the survey began in May of 2021.

The economic agenda under the current administration is broadly characterized as ‘Bidenomics’—an approach that two-thirds of small businesses view unfavorably. The biggest consequence has been inflation, which remains a top concern with 65 percent of respondents saying that price increases their businesses are experiencing are higher than officially reported inflation figures. Only seven percent say the rate is lower.

Meanwhile, 83 percent of small businesses disagree with the Biden administration’s comments that the price of doing business has gone down. And looking ahead to the 2024 general election, a majority believe Donald Trump will do more to help small businesses than Joe Biden (57 percent vs. 28 percent).

View more polling details here.

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

“‘Bidenomics’ is clearly unpopular among small businesses, which isn’t surprising. The policy agenda has left entrepreneurs navigating two years of high inflation, a growing regulatory state, and the threat of higher taxes. In fact, the economy is so flimsy that the White House has ramped up its blame game, recently pinning financial woes on greedy businesses that are supposedly price gouging consumers. Main Street isn’t buying the economic misdirection, and neither should the broader American public.”

Poll Results:

How would you rate Joe Biden’s job performance helping small businesses?

A-Grade
6%
B-Grade
13%
C-Grade
23%
D-Grade
16%
F-Grade
41%

Which general election candidate for president would do the most to help small businesses?

Donald Trump
57%
Joe Biden
28%
Unsure
14%

Are you concerned that economic conditions could force you to close your business?

Concerned
61%
Not Concerned
38%

Is Bidenomics good or bad for the economy and your business?

Good
26%
Bad
66%
Unsure
8%

Have costs of doing business gone down?

Yes
12%
No
83%
Unsure
5%

If your business has faced price increases, are they more, the same, or less than inflation?

More
65%
Same
26%
Less
7%
Unsure
2%

Are you concerned that bank failures and instability will impact your small business?

Concerned
60%
Not Concerned
39%
Unsure
1%

Is the amount of time your business deals with local, state, and federal regulations time consuming?

Time Consuming
50%
Not Time Consuming
50%
Unsure
1%

Are you concerned that new banking regulations will make it more expensive to give loans?

Concerned
69%
Not Concerned
30%
Unsure
2%

Are you concerned that rising interest rates will affect your business’s ability to access credit?

Concerned
68%
Not Concerned
30%
Unsure
3%

Where would you most likely go if your business wanted to get a financial loan?

Big Bank
25%
Small Bank/Credit Union
57%
Fintech/Online Bank
6%
Unsure
12%

Does your business accept credit cards for customer payments?

Yes
70%
No
29%
Unsure
1%

If your business accepts credit cards, are you concerned about the cost of increasing credit card swipe fees?

Yes
56%
No
41%
Unsure
3%

Do you support or oppose legislation that would lower credit card swipe fees by increasing competition?

Support
79%
Oppose
8%
Unsure
12%