SMEs and start-ups say that online opportunities, hard work and their own creativity are bigger factors in their success than efforts by politicians to support business.
A poll of 1500 business owners by productivity website Stop Procrastinating has found that 76% of small business owners said the growth of their business was purely the result of hard work and their own efforts, regardless of political initiatives.
And 66% said that their decision to set up a new business or the success of an existing business would not be influenced by the next Government, whichever party wins. Instead, their own skills, work ethic and creativity would determine their success.
The research also revealed that most business owners (72%) did not believe either main political party could have prevented the recession. In fact, 45% said their business prospered during the credit crunch.
And despite various letters of support for the main political parties from the business community in recent weeks, this survey found that 65% said that businesses are essential to the economy of the UK so neither political party would introduce policies to undermine them.
The role of the internet was seen as critical for many businesses. Almost half of the respondents (46%) said that ecommerce and the fact that the internet has reduced business costs has more to do with their business success than any political party.
The survey also found:
- 68% said that online opportunities were critical in helping to run their business profitably;
- 42% said ecommerce helped them monetise and scale up their business;
- 66% said SEO was critical to their success;
- 72% said email marketing was critical.
Mike Rollins, director of productivity at Stop Procrastinating, said: "Our survey shows that start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses give little credit to either main political party for creating an environment to help their businesses growth."