Most Quebec small business owners 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
MONTREAL, October 16, 2006 — While 41 per cent
of small business owners in Quebec feel they are able to balance
their time between work and home very well, 59 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, 52 per cent of Quebec
small business owners would spend it with their spouse or
family, take time to relax, or to get caught up on personal-related
matters. Another 37 per cent say they would spend it on business-related
matters, 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: set clear boundaries between work and home; take
time for yourself and your family; put your family and home
life first; efficiently manage your time at work; set realistic
business goals and benchmarks.
"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 Quebec small business owners:
- On average, they work 32 hours per week on their business.
- 28 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 (37 per cent).
- At 27 per cent, administrative work (including accounting
and bookkeeping) was most often named as their biggest time
drainer.
- Using online banking capabilities was mentioned most often
(49 per cent) as a way to save time or to help small business
owners run their businesses as efficiently as possible.
- Family members and friends were most often cited as a
source of advice on time management and productivity issues
(31 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 respondents,
321 are from Quebec. With a sample of this size, the results
are considered accurate to within ±5.5 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.
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Media Contact:
Raymond Chouinard - (514) 874-6556
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