Exit We would love to get to know you and your business a little more Question Title * 1. Which part of Australia do you live in? Queensland New South Wales Victoria South Australia Western Australia Tasmania Northern Territory Australian Capital Territory I don't live in Australia (please share which country you live in) Question Title * 2. How old are you? Under 27 27 - 42 43 - 58 59 - 77 78 + Question Title * 3. How long have you been a small business owner? Under 12 months 1 - 2 years 3 - 4 years 5 - 9 years 10 - 19 years 20 years or more Question Title * 4. How much did your business turnover in the past twelve months? Less than $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000-$249,999 $250,000-$499,999 $500,000-$999,999 $1 million-$4.9 million $5 million or more Question Title * 5. How many people work in your business (including you)? It's just me 2-4 people 5-9 people 10-19 people 20 people or more Question Title * 6. How would you best describe where your business is located? Urban Regional Rural Other (please specify) Question Title * 7. What are the 3 biggest challenges in your business right now? Finding the right mentor or coach Increasing revenue Implementing/keeping up with AI Marketing overwhelm Increasing costs Cash flow Finding and keeping customers Knowing the best way to grow my business Finding the right team members I have no challenges Other (please specify) Question Title * 8. What do you feel your biggest opportunities are going to be in the next 12 months? Increased sales overall Growing my team to increase capacity Expansion into other markets Diversifying through new products and services Increase my prices Implementing AI/technology Systemising and scaling my business Creating new partnerships and collaborations Finding the right coach/mentor Increase in online revenue Other (please specify) When it comes to people, what's changed in your business recently? Question Title * 9. Have you experienced any of the following workforce challenges in the past 12 months? Select ALL that apply. Difficulty finding qualified candidates Retaining existing staff Increased labour costs Adapting to remote or hybrid work arrangements I'm not experiencing any of these challenges Question Title * 10. To address these challenges, have you considered or implemented any of the following strategies? Select ALL that apply. Outsourcing Hiring contractors or casual staff Using temporary staffing agencies Offering flexible work arrangements Starting using AI or technology to fill staffing gaps I'm not experiencing any staffing challenges Other (please specify) What's changed in your business around pricing? Question Title * 11. How much impact is the "cost of living crisis" having on your business right now? Significant impact - It's severely affecting our business operations and profitability Moderate impact - We're feeling the pressure, but it's manageable for now Minimal impact - It's having a slight effect, but we're coping well No impact - Our business hasn't been affected by the cost of living issue Positive impact - The cost of living issue has actually benefitted our business Question Title * 12. Which of the following operating expenses have increased to the point where they have impacted your business noticeably in the last 12 months? Select ALL that apply. Insurance Utilities (electricity, gas etc) Rent and real estate costs Wages and labour costs Supply chain costs Freight and shopping Technology and software costs None of these expenses have impacted my business Question Title * 13. Which of the following best describes your strategy to increasing prices in your small business in the next 12 months? I don't have a strategy Small gradual increases more regularly (for example quarterly) Get creative with my product and service offering Follow CPI I'm not planning to increase prices in the next 12 months Pass on all cost increases as soon as they are applied to the business I plan to reduce prices in the next year Shining the light on Mental Health and Wellbeing Question Title * 14. The best thing about being a small business owner is __________? I can choose the direction my business takes and what work we do I don't have to miss out on important family events Flexibility No bureaucracy! Not answering to someone else I can be nimble and respond to what the market wants I want to do more meaningful work I feel I can make a bigger impact on the world Other (please specify) Question Title * 15. What is keeping me awake at night right now is_______? Tick one box only. My mental health and wellbeing Having decent boundaries between work and family (I'm working when I feel I shouldn't be) I'm worry free Not enough money to provide for myself or my family Rising costs in my business Wondering if I need to ditch my business and get a job Getting enough sleep The health and happiness of my family Finding staff to keep my business running My physical health Increasing living costs Other (please specify) How do you feel about marketing your business? Question Title * 16. Do you find marketing overwhelming? Yes No Comments Question Title * 17. What is your biggest marketing challenge? Pick your top 3 only. Not knowing what marketing strategy works best Producing and delivering good quality content Finding the right marketing mentor or coach to guide my business No plan or strategy Being consistent with marketing efforts Limited budget Identifying my target audience and understanding my customers Keeping up with changing marketing trends and technologies Other (please specify) Question Title * 18. How much time do you spend on marketing in your business each week? Zero 1-3 hours each week 4-6 hours each week 7-10 hours each week 11 hours or more each week Question Title * 19. How much money have you invested in marketing activities in the past twelve months? Nothing Under $1000 $1000-$4999 $5000-$9999 $10000-$19999 $20000-$49999 $50000 or more Question Title * 20. What are your TOP 3 marketing goals in 2025? Create more engagement Create brand awareness around my brand, products and services Build community Find collaboration partners Provide customer support to improve customer experience Position myself as an expert in my industry Generate more leads, drive traffic to my website and secure more customers Other (please specify) How do you feel about technology in your business? Question Title * 21. Do feel technology/AI is impacting your business? Yes, in a positive way Yes, not sure it's a good thing No, I've not noticed any difference Comments Question Title * 22. Do you see technology and AI replacing human roles in your business or industry within the next five years? Yes No Question Title * 23. How often are you using AI tools (eg. ChatGPT) in your business? Multiple times a day Daily Several times a week Once a week Rarely Never Question Title * 24. How do you feel about Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Scared Apprehensive Comfortable Indifferent Excited Feel free to share your thoughts Question Title * 25. What are you doing to increase your knowledge around AI? Tick up to 3 options. I have attended an event to learn I have invested in an online course/s Watched some YouTube videos I'm not doing anything I've searched Google and read blogs I've hired an Technology/AI expert I've listened to podcasts Other (please specify) We're almost done, just a couple more short questions........ Question Title * 26. If you had one message that you could give to those people in power (including the government) around small business, what would it be? Question Title * 27. What has been your biggest learning in the past 12 months? Question Title * 28. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us? Would you like to receive the report? Question Title * 29. A sincere thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. If you would like to receive the survey report please put your EMAIL in the box below.Complete survey terms can be viewed here.Got questions? Email hello@thebigsmallbusinesssurvey.com Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback.Please click the SUBMIT button below now. SUBMIT
