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05 Oct 2011
Report: U.S. Businesses Plan to Hire New Graduates, Freelance and Remote Workers as Business Confidence Drops More than 20 Percent
Amid uncertain economic climate U.S. firms are preparing to hire more nimble, low-risk employees, finds Regus Business Confidence Index
(Dallas, Texas – October 5, 2011) – U.S. businesses are planning to hire new graduates, freelance and remote workers in an effort to increase headcount while remaining flexible and rapidly scalable in an uncertain market, revealed the latest edition of the Regus Business Confidence Index, based on responses from more than 12,000 companies worldwide. More than a third of responding U.S. companies are preparing to recruit new graduates, while 47 percent say they plan to hire freelance staff and 44 percent plan to hire remote workers over the next two years. Since April, business confidence in the U.S. fell more than 20 percent (119 to 90 points), signifying the biggest fall in the overall index.
“As business confidence drops and macro-economic conditions remain uncertain, hiring new graduates, freelance and remote workers is becoming an increasingly popular, risk-averse solution to increase headcount for U.S. and global businesses,” said Guillermo Rotman, CEO, Regus Americas. “In addition, by taking advantage of technology solutions available in the U.S market and abroad, it is even possible for small businesses to establish a low-risk, remote or contract presence in target markets without making lengthy commitments, allowing them to expand or withdraw depending on volatile market conditions.”
The index revealed similar conditions globally. More than half (64 percent) of global companies say they plan to increase headcount in the next two years despite global business confidence slipping 11 percent since April, down to 114. Illustrating the changing structure of employment across the globe, worldwide hiring intentions also show a strong emphasis on freelancers, graduates and remote workers.
Additional key findings from the 5th edition of the Regus Business Confidence Index, include:
- The majority of global markets measured by the index show a decrease in business confidence since April 2011 ranging from the 29 point drop in the U.S. to Australia, which is only down 4 points. The only exceptions are Brazil (up 7 points), India (up 11 points) and Germany (up 4 points). The global index average is down 11 points to 114.
· The proportion of global companies reporting revenue growth (51 percent) and rising profits (42 percent) has virtually flat-lined, increasing only one percentage point compared to six months ago; and over a third of companies (36 percent) have pushed back their expectations for recovery to the second half of 2012.
· Interestingly, companies trading internationally show a higher business confidence index score (120) compared to those with mainly domestic markets (110).
Notes to Editors:
The Regus Business Confidence Index
In every edition, the Regus Business Tracker report presents an updated Business Confidence Index based on responses from 12,000 managers and business owners across 85 countries. This index is a measurement formed on an aggregate of positive and forward-looking statements combining year-to-date revenue and profit trends with views on the expected economic upturn in the coming months and aims to provide businesses with a single point of reference of the survey’s key findings. Its benchmark average was set at 100 in the first edition of the Regus Business tracker in September 2009.
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About Regus
Regus is the world’s largest provider of flexible workplaces, with products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional meeting rooms, business lounges and the world’s largest network of video communication studios. Regus enables people to work their way, whether it’s from home, on the road or from an office. Customers such as Google, GlaxoSmithKline, and Nokia join hundreds of thousands of growing small and medium businesses that benefit from outsourcing their office and workplace needs to Regus, allowing them to focus on their core activities.
Over a million customers a day benefit from Regus facilities spread across a global footprint of 1,200 locations in 550 cities and 95 countries, which allow individuals and companies to work wherever, however and whenever they want to. Regus was founded in Brussels, Belgium in 1989, is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information please visit: www.regus.com