Most small business owners in the Prairies feel their work/home
life balance could improve, according to RBC survey
Majority would spend time away from work if they had an
'extra' hour each day
CALGARY, October 16, 2006 — Only 35 per cent
of small business owners in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
feel they are able to balance their time between work and
home very well, while 65 per cent feel that there is room
for improvement, according to a new RBC Royal Bank Small Business
survey.
The survey, which was conducted by Ipsos Reid also revealed
that if given an 'extra' hour each day, 61 per cent of small
business owners in the Prairie provinces would spend it with
their spouse or family, take time to relax, or use it to get
caught up on personal-related matters. Another 29 per cent
say they would spend it on business-related tasks, including
prospecting new customers and developing business skills.
"Given the time and commitment involved in running a
business, it's easy to see why so many entrepreneurs find
it challenging to achieve their ideal balance between their
personal and work life," said Kris Depencier, national
manager, Small Business, RBC Royal Bank.
The top five pieces of advice small business owners have
for other business people seeking a better work/home life
balance: take time for yourself and your family; set clear
boundaries between work and home; put your family and home
life first; set realistic business goals and benchmarks; efficiently
manage your time at work.
"There are many financial tools and services available
that can help entrepreneurs more efficiently manage their
time at work, no matter what the size, stage and complexity
of the business," added Depencier.
Some other facts about Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
small business owners:
- On average, they work 32 hours per week on their business.
- 38 per cent say they work more than 5 days per week on
their business.
- Attracting new clients was most often mentioned as their
most neglected business task (33 per cent).
- At 25 per cent, administrative work (including accounting
and bookkeeping) was most often named as their biggest time
drainer.
- Writing 'to-do' lists was mentioned most often mentioned
(58 per cent) as a way to save time or to help small business
owners run their businesses as efficiently as possible.
- Other business owners and network contacts were most often
cited as a source of advice on time management and productivity
issues (30 per cent).
These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid/RBC Royal Bank poll
conducted between August 4 and August 14, 2006. For the survey,
invitations were sent to a representative sample of Canadian
small business owners 18 years of age or older, resulting
in 2,032 completed online interviews. Of these 2,032 respondents,
398 are from the Prairie Provinces, including Alberta, Saskatchewan
and Manitoba. With a sample of this size, the results are
considered accurate to within ±4.9 percentage points,
19 times out of 20.
RBC Royal Bank delivers a wide range of financial services
and practical advice to small and medium-sized businesses
and their owners. RBC is Canada's leading financial institution
for small business, serving one in four small businesses.
For practical advice and information about starting, owning
and managing a small business, visit: www.rbcroyalbank.com/business/resources.
- 30 -
Media Contact:
Cathryn Tucker - (403) 292-3970
|
