RBS Enterprise Tracker, in association with the Centre for Entrepreneurs 3rd Quarter Research conducted by Populus on behalf of RBS
Contents. Methodology 3 Small Business Advice Week 4 Appetite for business and social enterprise 9 High potential individuals 18 Youth ambition for business and social enterprise 25 The Gender Gap 34 Attitudes towards UK job creators 44 Page 2
Page 3 Methodology Populus interviewed 2,343 UK adults, online, between 8 th and 13 th August in the latest wave of the RBS Enterprise Tracker, in association with the Centre for Entrepreneurs. Data has been weighted to be representative of the UK adult population. The RBS Enterprise Tracker surveys nationally representative samples of the UK population on a quarterly basis. The research is designed to track people s attitudes and ambitions to starting up in business. To date, fieldwork has been conducted as follows: Fieldwork wave Fieldwork dates Sample Notation Pilot Study 13th and 15th April 2,028 UK adults April Second Quarter 18th and 25th May 2,300 UK adults Third Quarter 31st August and 2nd September 2,306 UK adults Fourth Quarter 2nd and 7th November 3,665 UK adults First Quarter 8th and 10th February 2,385 UK adults Second Quarter 10th and 12 th May 2,439 UK adults Third Quarter 9 th and 11 th August 2,291 UK adults Fourth Quarter 1 st and 3 rd November 3,789 UK adults First Quarter 7 th and 9 th February 2,358 UK adults Second Quarter 2 nd and 5 th May 2,388 UK adults Third Quarter 8 th and 13 th August 2,343 UK adults For the purposes of this research, RBS has defined young people as being between 18 30 years of age. High potential individuals are defined as being in full time employment, with a degree-level education and with a household income higher than 34,000. Since the word business has been amended throughout the questionnaire to business or enterprise. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. For more information see www.populus.co.uk.
Small Business Advice Week In advance of Small Business Advice Week, which takes place 1 7 September, RBS delves a little deeper into the help that potential entrepreneurs would like and how confident Britons feel about finding information to help them start a business. For more information about Small Business Advice Week, visit www.smallbusinessadviceweek.co.uk
Concerns about the economic climate have shown a marked decline since : falling from more than half of the population, to a third. Conversely, the confidence that now is a good time to start a business or enterprise has risen slowly from a fifth to a quarter. 80% 70% What do you think are/would be the biggest barriers to starting your own business or enterprise? The current economic climate is too difficult (Total agree) Now is a good time to start your own business or enterprise (Total agree) 60% 53% 52% 52% 51% 51% 50% 40% 38% 39% 42% 32% 33% 33% 30% 20% 10% 21% 21% 20% 22% 20% 22% 24% 24% 25% 28% 26% 0% April The current economic climate is too difficult Now is a good time to start your own business or enterprise Page 5 Base: All respondents (2343)
Just over a third of the population know where to get more information about starting a business or enterprise. This has remained stable over the last few years. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? I know where I could go to get more information about starting my own business or enterprise (Total agree) 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 37% 36% 36% 39% 36% 41% 40% 38% 38% 36% 36% 30% 20% 10% 0% April I know where I could go to get more information about starting my own business or enterprise Page 6 Base: All respondents (2343)
Young people are the least likely group to think that they need business advice, while high potential individuals are more likely than the rest of the populations to want business advice but less likely to think they need training. What would help you most in setting up your business or enterprise? All 23% 34% 25% 35% Women 43% Business advice 40% Financial investment 18-30s 27% 28% Business training 22% 36% High Potential Individuals 45% 42% Page 7 Base: All (2343) Base: All 18-30 (613) Base: All women (1149) Base: All HPIs (202)
Attitudes towards risk have varied more widely since but stabilised in the past year. About a third of the population thinks that it is too risky to start a business or enterprise, down from about half in. What do you think are/would be the biggest barriers to starting your own business or enterprise? It s too risky (Total agree) 80% 70% 60% 50% 44% 49% 48% 48% 40% 34% 33% 36% 32% 34% 36% 30% 25% 20% 10% 0% April It's too risky Page 8 Base: All respondents (2343)
Appetite for business and social enterprise
Almost three fifths of UK adults are in work, and 18% of these are self employed either some or all of the time. Working status Employment status 12% 44% 6% Working 56% 82% Not working Working Self-employed Part time (employee & self-employed) Employee Page 10 Base: All (2343) Base: All in work (1196)
Over a third of UK adults who are not self employed would like to start their own business or enterprise, but only 4% are in the process of doing so. Which of the following statements applies to you? 70% 60% 50% 40% 39% 41% 38% 39% 36% 38% 35% 38% 33% 36% 37% 30% 20% Ambition Gap 10% 0% 5% 6% 5% 5% 6% 7% 7% 6% 6% 6% April 4% I would like to start my own business or enterprise (All) I am in the process of starting my own business or enterprise (All) Page 11 Base: All respondents except self-employed (2103)
More than three quarters of those who want to set up their own business or enterprise would choose to set up a forprofit business. Just below one-fifth would choose to start a social enterprise. What type of business or enterprise would you most like to start up? 19% All wanting to start their own business or enterprise 4% 77% A social enterprise A charity A for profit business Page 12 Base: All respondents who would like to start their own business or enterprise (787)
Of those who would like to start their own business, four fifths have yet to do anything about it. There is little difference between those who want to start a social enterprise and other types of businesses. Which, if any, of the following statements regarding setting up a business or enterprise most applies to you? 81% 82% 18% 17% 1% 1% Have not yet started business Have begun business planning Business is starting All All who want to set up a social enterprise Page 13 Base: All respondents who would like to start their own business or enterprise (787) Base: All respondents who would like to start their own business & who would like to set up a social enterprise (157)
Although supporting themselves and their families would be the priority for UK adults if they were to set up their own business or enterprise, many of the features of social enterprises are considered important, too. Particularly behaving ethically and protecting the welfare of employees. Lifestyle improvements such as improving their work/life balance and being their own boss also motivate would-be entrepreneurs. How important would each of the following be to you in starting up your own business or enterprise? (SUM: Important) Supporting me/ my family financially Improving my work/life balance 90% 91% 84% 87% Behaving ethically Protecting the welfare of employees Being my own boss Behaving in an environmentally sustainable way 82% 81% 79% 75% 73% 87% 93% 91% Providing employment for people in my community Providing products/ services which support my community 67% 65% 84% 84% Supporting social causes that I am passionate about 59% 83% All All who would choose to set up a social enterprise Page 14 Base: All respondents (2343) Base: All respondents who would choose to set up a social enterprise (534)
Concern about accessing start up funds, the current economic climate and perceived risk are the biggest barriers to starting a business or enterprise. Those who would choose to set up a social enterprise perceive the same barriers but are also more worried than average by a lack of skills, the need to test their idea, and the economic climate. What do you think are/would be the biggest barriers to starting your own business or enterprise? I don't think I could get enough money to start up The current economic climate is too difficult It's too risky It's easier to work for someone else I don't think that I would be able to get a loan Need more skills Need better networks Need to test my idea No opportunities I am happy with my current working status Don't know/ I've never thought about it 8% 6% 3% 4% 13% 12% 28% 31% 27% 29% 27% 24% 23% 23% 28% 35% 40% 39% 41% 46% 46% 52% All All who would choose to set up a social enterprise Page 15 Base: All respondents who would like to start their own business or enterprise (787) Base: All respondents who would like to start their own business & who would like to set up a social enterprise (157)
A fear of failure is also a key concern for many people, although more than a third know where they could go to get more information. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (Total Agree) 53% 55% 47% 42% 36% 36% 26% 25% 18% 21% Fear of failure would prevent me from trying to start my own business or enterprise I feel I have the ability and skills to set up my own business or enterprise I know where I could go to get more information about starting my own business or enterprise Now is a good time to start your own business or enterprise Starting your own business or enterprise is not considered a serious career goal All All who would choose to set up a social enterprise Page 16 Base: All respondents (2343) Base: All respondents who would choose to set up a social enterprise (534)
Just over two fifths of those wanting to set up a business or a social enterprise say that the thing that would help them most would be financial investment, followed by business advice and then business training. What would help you most in setting up your business or enterprise? 21% ALL 33% Business advice Financial investment Business training 28% All wanting to start a social enterprise 28% 45% 43% Page 17 Base: All wanting to set up a business or enterprise (787) Base: All wanting to set up a social enterprise (157)
High potential individuals This quarter we have looked at the individuals most likely to start high-growth businesses, in order to identify any difference between their attitudes and those of their peers. High potential individuals are defined as being in full time employment, with a degree-level education and with a household income higher than 34,000
High potential individuals are more likely than the general population to say they would like to set up a for profit business. What type of business or enterprise would you most like to start up? 22% 21% A social enterprise ALL 10% A charity A for profit business High potential individuals 6% 68% 73% Page 19 Base: All (2343) Base: All HPIs (202)
High potential individuals who are not self-employed are two times more likely than the whole employed population to be in the process of starting their own business or enterprise. However, the ambition gap is larger for high potential individuals, given their greater motivation to starting their own business or enterprise. 37% 55% 4% 8% All respondents, except self-employed High potential individuals, except self-employed I would like to start my own business or enterprise I am in the process of starting my own business or enterprise Page 20 Base: All respondents except self-employed (2103) Base: All HPIs except self-employed (261)
High potential individuals have a stronger tendency than the general population to consider lifestyle improvements as important factors if they were to set up their own business or enterprise. However, having a social agenda is considered important, too. How important would each of the following be to you in starting up your own business or enterprise? (SUM: Important) Supporting me/ my family financially Improving my work/life balance Being my own boss Behaving ethically Protecting the welfare of employees 90% 94% 84% 89% 79% 83% 82% 82% 81% 79% Behaving in an environmentally sustainable way Providing products/ services which support my community Supporting social causes that I am passionate about Providing employment for people in my community 73% 69% 65% 67% 59% 64% 67% 63% All High Potential Individuals Page 21 Base: All respondents (2343) Base: HPIs (202)
High potential individuals are more worried about accessing start up funds than other barriers but are less worried about this and other obstacles than the average of those who would like to start their own business or enterprise. HPIs are also much less likely than average to say that the current economic climate and the ability to get a loan are significant barriers but are more likely to perceive riskiness, lack of networks and the idea that it is easier to work for someone else as biggest barriers to entrepreneurship. What do you think are/would be the biggest barriers to starting your own business or enterprise? I don't think I could get enough money to start up It's too risky The current economic climate is too difficult It's easier to work for someone else Need more skills Need better networks Need to test my idea I don't think that I would be able to get a loan No opportunities I am happy with my current working status Don't know/ I've never thought about it 3% 3% 8% 13% 13% 12% 19% 24% 23% 25% 28% 27% 29% 27% 29% 33% 33% 39% 40% 40% 45% 52% All All HPIs who would like to start their own business or enterprise Page 22 Base: All respondents who would like to start their own business or enterprise (787) Base: All HPIs who would like to start their own business (101)
Although High potential individuals are more likely to say that they have the necessary skillset and that they know where they could get relevant information in order to set up their own business or enterprise, their fear of failure is above average, too. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (Total Agree) 64% 53% 57% 47% 45% 36% 26% 28% 18% 20% Fear of failure would prevent me from trying to start my own business or enterprise I feel I have the ability and skills to set up my own business or enterprise I know where I could go to get more information about starting my own business or enterprise Now is a good time to start your own business or enterprise Starting your own business or enterprise is not considered a serious career goal All High Potential Individuals Page 23 Base: All respondents (2343) Base: HPIs (202)
The proportion of HPIs saying that financial investment would help them most in setting up their own business or enterprise is slightly lower than average. Contrarily, HPIs are more likely than other potential entrepreneurs to say that business advice would help them most. What would help you most in setting up your business or enterprise? 21% Business advice 21% ALL 33% Financial investment Business training High potential individuals 37% 46% 42% Page 24 Base: All wanting to set up a business or enterprise (787) Base: All HPIs wanting to set up a business or enterprise (101)
Youth ambition for business and enterprise
Young people are more likely than the population as a whole to be in work, but just half as likely to be self-employed. All respondents: Young people: Working Status: 44% 56% Working Not working 35% 65% 12% 6% Employee 6% 6% Self-employed Employment Status: 82% Part time (employee & self-employed) 88% Page 26 Base: All (2343) Base: All in work (1196) Base: All 18-30s (613) Base: All 18-30s in work (342)
Young people are much more likely than the population as a whole to want to start their own business, that trend however, is slightly declining. Which of the following statements applies to you? 70% 60% 50% 63% 62% 60% 57% 58% 53% 55% 60% 53% 54% 49% 40% 39% 41% 38% 39% 36% 38% 35% 38% 33% 36% 37% 30% 20% 10% 11% 10% 8% 9% 11% 13% 14% 11% 13% 9% 7% 0% April 5% 6% 5% 5% 6% 7% 7% 6% 6% 6% 4% I would like to start my own business or enterprise (All) I would like to start my own business or enterprise (18-30) I am in the process of starting my own business or enterprise (All) I am in the process of starting my own business or enterprise (18-30) Page 27 Base: All respondents except self-employed (2103) Base: All 18-30s except self-employed (488)
Young people are more likely than the general population to want to start a social enterprise: more than a quarter of them would choose to do so. What type of business or enterprise would you most like to start up? 22% A social enterprise A charity 27% ALL 10% A for profit business 18-30s 68% 63% 10% Page 28 Base: All respondents (2343) Base: All 18-30s (613)
Young people remain more likely than the general population to consider supporting social causes about which they are passionate as important when starting a business and they are less concerned about being their own boss. How important would each of the following be to you in starting up your own business or enterprise? (SUM: Important) Supporting me/ my family financially 90% 90% Improving my work/life balance Behaving ethically Protecting the welfare of employees Being my own boss Behaving in an environmentally sustainable way Providing products/ services which support my community Supporting social causes that I am passionate about Providing employment for people in my community 72% 73% 72% 65% 69% 59% 64% 67% 63% 84% 84% 82% 83% 81% 82% 79% All All 18-30s Page 29 Base: All respondents (2343) Base: All 18-30s (613)
Young people continue to be more likely to perceive barriers to starting their own business than the general population. Young people are most worried about securing funds, the risks involved, and the current economic climate. What do you think are/would be the biggest barriers to starting your own business or enterprise? I don't think I could get enough money to start up It's too risky 36% 41% 49% 48% The current economic climate is too difficult It's easier to work for someone else Need better networks Need more skills I don't think that I would be able to get a loan Need to test my idea I am happy with my current working status No opportunities Don't know/ I've never thought about it 15% 13% 10% 14% 11% 11% 27% 26% 21% 25% 22% 23% 20% 20% 19% 33% 35% 32% All All 18-30s Page 30 Base: All respondents (2343) Base: All 18-30s (613)
Young people are consistently more likely to think that starting their own business is not a serious career goal. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Starting your own business is not considered a serious career goal (Total agree) 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 28% 28% 25% 25% 21% 34% 32% 27% 28% 25% 24% 20% 10% 24% 23% 22% 22% 19% 25% 22% 23% 24% 22% 18% 0% April Starting your own business is not considered a serious career goal (All) Starting your own business is not considered a serious career goal (18-30s) Page 31 Base: All respondents (2343) Base: All 18-30s (613)
Furthermore, young people are significantly more likely than the general population to agree that a fear of failure would prevent them from starting their own business or enterprise. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Fear of failure would prevent me from trying to start my own business or enterprise (Total agree) 80% 70% 60% 50% 60% 65% 53% 54% 70% 67% 64% 56% 56% 57% 68% 69% 64% 60% 56% 55% 69% 65% 64% 53% 53% 53% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% April Fear of failure would prevent me from trying to start my own business or enterprise (All) Fear of failure would prevent me from trying to start my own business or enterprise (18-30s) Page 32 Base: All respondents (2343) Base: All 18-30s (613)
Young people also continue to be less likely than the general population to know where to go to get information about starting their own business or enterprise. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? I know where I could go to get more information about starting my own business or enterprise (Total agree) 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 37% 36% 36% 39% 36% 41% 40% 38% 38% 36% 36% 30% 20% 32% 27% 28% 32% 33% 39% 37% 37% 34% 33% 33% 10% 0% April I know where I could go to get more information about starting my own business or enterprise (All) I know where I could go to get more information about starting my own business or enterprise (18-30s) Page 33 Base: All respondents (2343) Base: All 18-30s (613)
The Gender Gap
Men continue to be much more likely than women to want to start their own business. Men also tend to start their own businesses more than women, though the gap has closed in this quarter. Which of the following statements applies to you? 45% 40% 35% 30% 41% 38% 37% 41% 35% 35% 40% 38% 39% 34% 40% 36% 36% 33% 41% 35% 36% 31% 37% 34% 39% 36% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 5% 5% April 6% 5% 6% 3% 9% 6% 7% 5% 9% 8% 6% 6% 6% 5% 8% 4% 7% 5% 4% 4% I would like to start my own business (Men) I am in the process of starting my own business (Men) I would like to start my own business (Women) I am in the process of starting my own business (Women) Page 35 Base: All men except self-employed (1035) Base: All women except self-employed (1068)
Gender differences in entrepreneurialism have previously been exacerbated among young people but inverted in the most recent wave. Which of the following statements applies to you? I am in the process of starting my own business or enterprise 20% 18% 19% 18% 16% 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 12% 9% 16% 5% 12% 6% 11% 7% 12% 11% 15% 12% 11% 15% 8% 9% 13% 5% 8% 6% 2% 0% April Men (18-30's) Women (18-30's) Page 36 Base: All men aged 18-30 except self-employed (216) Base: All women aged 18-30 except self-employed (272)
Women are much more likely than men to want to start a social enterprise or a charity. What type of business or enterprise would you most like to start up? 20% A social enterprise 25% MEN 8% A charity WOMEN 73% A for profit business 63% 12% Page 37 Base: All men (1194) Base: All women (1149)
Fear of failure is a bigger factor for women than men in starting a new business. Women are also less likely to think they have the skills and ability to start their own business, and are unsure about where to go for more information about starting a business. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (Total agree) 56% 49% 49% 45% 40% 32% 27% 25% 19% 17% Fear of failure would prevent me from trying to start my own business I feel I have the ability and skills to set up my own business or enterprise I know where I could go to get more information about starting my own business Now is a good time to start your own business Starting your own business is not considered a serious career goal Men Women Page 38 Base: All men (1194) Base: All women (1149)
Younger women are even more likely than women of all ages to fear failure and much less likely than men to know where to get more information about starting a business. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (Total agree) 60% 68% 49% 44% 36% 31% 26% 25% 26% 22% Fear of failure would prevent me from trying to start my own business I feel I have the ability and skills to set up my own business or enterprise I know where I could go to get more information about starting my own business Now is a good time to start your own business Starting your own business is not considered a serious career goal Men 18-30 Women 18-30 Page 39 Base: All men 18-30 (280) Base: All women 18-30 (333)
Men continue to be more likely than women to say that now is a good time to start a business or enterprise; there is, however, a slight trend towards convergence. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Now is a good time to start your own business or enterprise (Total agree) 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 24% 18% 27% 24% 15% 15% 28% 24% 17% 17% 28% 29% 29% 19% 19% 19% 30% 21% 32% 24% 27% 25% 5% 0% April Now is a good time to start your own business (Men) Now is a good time to start your own business (Women) Page 40 Base: All men (1194) Base: All women (1149)
Women are consistently more likely than men to admit that a fear of failure would prevent them from trying to start their own business or enterprise. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Fear of failure would prevent me from trying to start my own business or enterprise (Total agree) 70% 60% 57% 59% 59% 61% 62% 62% 61% 59% 55% 56% 56% 50% 40% 49% 50% 53% 50% 53% 57% 51% 52% 51% 49% 49% 30% 20% 10% 0% April Fear of failure would prevent me from trying to start my own business (Men) Fear of failure would prevent me from trying to start my own business (Women) Page 41 Base: All men (1194) Base: All women (1149)
Women are less likely than men to say that they know where to go for more information on starting their own business or enterprise. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? I know where I could go to get more information about starting my own business or enterprise (Total agree) 50% 45% 40% 42% 42% 42% 46% 41% 47% 46% 45% 45% 40% 40% 35% 30% 25% 33% 30% 30% 32% 32% 36% 34% 32% 32% 33% 32% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% April I know where I could go to get more information about starting my own business (Men) I know where I could go to get more information about starting my own business (Women) Page 42 Base: All men (1194) Base: All women (1149)
Men and women s perceptions of a difficult economic climate or the difficulty of securing funding remain different. Women continue to be more concerned about a lack of skills and the ability to get a loan. What do you think are/would be the biggest barriers to starting your own business or enterprise? 43% 39% 35% 36% 35% 31% 28% 26% 22% 19% 21% 23% 22% 20% 15% 15% 12% 14% 11% 10% I don't think I could get enough money to start up It's too risky The current economic climate is too difficult It's easier to work for someone else I am happy with my current working status I don't think that I would be able to get a loan Need more skills Need better networks Need to test my idea No opportunities Men Women Page 43 Base: All men (1194) Base: All women (1149)
Attitudes towards UK job creators
A third of respondents believe small businesses create the most new job opportunities in the UK, followed by almost one third who think this is true for micro businesses. Potential entrepreneurs have a similar opinion about UK job creators. Which of the following kinds of company do you think creates the most new job opportunities in the UK each year? Large and medium size businesses, 33% 17% 30% Micro businesses (fewer than 10 employees) Small businesses (10-49 employees) 17% ALL Medium size businesses (50-249 employees) BIS figures Large businesses (250+ employees) 36% Small businesses and start-ups, 67% Page 45 Base: All (2343); BIS, 2011, Job creation and destruction in the UK: 1998-2010, p.5
Young people are more likely than the population as a whole to see medium size and large businesses as the main job creators in the UK. Fewer women than men say micro businesses create the most new job opportunities. Also HPIs are less likely to attribute job creation to micro businesses; however, two fifths of them think small businesses contribute the most to job creation in the UK. High potential individuals Young people 17% 22% 26% 18% 17% 43% Micro businesses (fewer than 10 employees) Small businesses (10-49 employees) Medium size businesses (50-249 employees) 21% 36% Men Large businesses (250+ employees) Women 12% 14% 35% 20% 25% 22% 39% 33% Page 46 Base: HPIs (202) Base: Men (1194) Base: All 18-30s (613) Base: Women (1149)
Lisa Mallinson RBS Sustainability T +44 [0]131 626 9958 E inspiring.enterprise@rbs.co.uk David Racadio Populus T +44 [0]20 7253 3019 E dracadio@populus.co.uk Matt Smith Centre for Entrepreneurs T +44 [0]20 7148 5460 E matt@centreforentrepreneurs.org www.rbs.com/inspiringenterprise Page 47