Confidence among CEOs of Small, Mid-Sized Businesses Hits 10-Year High, According to Vistage Survey

“In addition to the gain in confidence among CEOs in the closing quarter of 2014, indicators including the likelihood of increased interest rates around mid-2015, a tightening labor market and significant upward pressure on wages reflect the growing strength of the current U.S. economy,” said Dr. Richard Curtin, a research professor in economics and the director of consumer surveys at the University of Michigan who analyzes all Vistage survey results.

The Vistage Confidence Index, which is scored as the percent giving favorable replies minus the percent unfavorable plus 100, was 107.5 in the fourth quarter 2014 survey — its highest level since 109.8 was recorded in the first quarter of 2005.

Other notable survey findings include:

• When asked about the national economy, 49 percent of respondents expected continued economic growth — up from 38 percent in the previous quarter. While this was the most optimistic view on future economic growth in four years, it is still well below the peak of 82 percent set in the fourth quarter of 2004, suggesting that CEOs hold an improved but cautious outlook for the pace of economic growth in 2015.
• Net hiring plans were more favorable in the fourth quarter 2014 survey than any other time since the start of 2006. Sixty-two percent of respondents plan to expand their workforce in the year ahead, up from 56 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 and the highest since 64 percent was recorded in the first quarter of 2006.
• In hiring, nearly three out of four respondents cited either locating talent (40 percent) or the lack of skills among applicants (32 percent) as the most significant issue their business faces. The high demand for skilled labor, specifically finding, hiring, and training staff, is mentioned about three times as frequently as financial issues or economic uncertainty, further highlighting the existence of a talent crunch.

“The robust hiring plans among our respondents coupled with a lack of necessary skills within the talent pool underline a tightening labor market,” said Leon Shapiro, CEO of Vistage International. “Small- and mid-sized businesses will need to differentiate themselves from their competitors—whether through a unique utilization of social media, stressing expertise or offering flexible work options—while also connecting with the value-driven mentality of younger workers in order to attract and retain top talent.”

About the Vistage CEO Confidence Index
The Vistage CEO Confidence Index, established in 2003, is a quarterly survey of small- to mid-sized business CEOs about the U.S. economy. The Q4 2014 Vistage CEO Confidence Index includes responses from 1,456 U.S. CEOs, surveyed between December 8 and December 17, 2014, with a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. Since its establishment in 2003, the Index has proven to be a reliable indicator for changes in GDP and employment, two to three quarters hence.

About Vistage International
Founded in 1957 and headquartered in San Diego, California, Vistage assembles and facilitates private advisory boards for CEOs, senior executives and business owners. Vistage members participate in monthly, Chair-led private advisory board meetings. More than 18,000 members in 16 countries also have access to one-to-one executive coaching, expert speakers, and our global network of business leaders.