Inc. staff

What Improvements Companies Are Investing In

Some figures showing how companies are re-investing in themselves and the improvements they are making.

 

What Improvements Companies Are Investing In

Types of improvements Number of employees
0-19 20-99 100-499
Upgraded computer systems 40% 60% 60%
Developed new products/services 31% 44% 54%
Improved productivity 26% 54% 70%
Improved quality of products/services 26% 46% 51%
Increased investment in business 19% 50% 54%
Expanded into new U.S. markets 13% 22% 29%
Expanded into new markets abroad 7% 12% 20%
Instituted total quality management 7% 14% 19%
Opened new stores or branches 4% 8% 17%
Other 5% 4% 6%
No substantial improvements 30% 8% 3%

How Much Companies Are Investing (as a percentage of total revenue)

Fast-growing
Companies 		Companies
Overall
Technology 7.8% 4.3%
Research and development 5.2% 2.6%
Marketing 7.5% 5.5%
Training 4.8% 2.6%

Source: 1995 Survey of Small and MidSize Businesses Conducted by Arthur Andersen's Enterprise Group and National Small Business United

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