Business Leaders Predict Solid Growth for 2016

Business Leaders Predict Solid Growth for 2016

Just 13% Expect Decrease in Business Activity

Outlook More Optimistic Than a Year Ago

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 30, 2015 - Express Employment Professionals released new survey results today revealing business leaders' business performance predictions for 2016. 

Business leaders were asked, "What are your business performance predictions for 2016?" Of those surveyed, 50 percent say, "We will see moderate growth." Another 16 percent predict "exponential growth," while 18 percent expect to "remain steady, but unchanged." Just 13 percent say they "will likely experience a decrease in business activity. 

This shows business leaders are overall more optimistic at the end of 2015 than they were at the conclusion of 2014. Fewer are predicting a decrease in business activity, while more are predicting growth. Nevertheless, the picture is not quite as positive as at the end of 2013, when only seven percent of respondents expected a decrease in business activity for the year ahead. Full results are below.

"Many companies faced their share of challenges in 2015, but by and large business leaders have high expectations for 2016," said Bob Funk, CEO of Express, and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. "A full two-thirds expect growth. That confidence is itself a positive sign for the economy, and if these predictions come true, 2016 may indeed be a happy new year.

"The survey is welcome news to U.S. residents who believe the economy is not doing so well," Funk said. "We recently commissioned a Harris Poll on the American Dream and 66 percent of 2,034 U.S. respondents believe the country is headed in the wrong direction."

The survey was conducted via Express Employment Professionals RefreshLeadership blog, a forum for executives and business leaders. This year's survey question received 120 responses. The response choices for previous years differed from 2015 in that respondents were not given the option of choosing "moderate growth." 

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If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Sherry Kast at (405) 717-5966.

About Robert A. Funk

Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has more than 750 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than six million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.

About Express Employment Professionals

Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $2.85 billion in sales and employed more than 456,000 people in 2014. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually.