Mid-Market Executives Focus on Moving Forward During Uncertain Economic Recovery

In the wake of a slower, less predictable economic recovery, mid-market executives are adapting to managing uncertainty, according to Deloitte’s “Mid-Market Perspectives: 2012 Report on America’s Economic Engine.” The annual survey of 528 U.S. executives indicates that 86 percent of respondents believe that continued uncertainty is tempering their expectations for economic growth. To prepare for continuing, uneven market conditions, mid-market executives are taking careful actions in three key areas in 2012; talent, finance and technology.

Talent

In last year’s survey, respondents were overly optimistic about hiring plans. This year, executives are investing in their people and moderating plans to hire new employees:

-- The percentage of executives planning to expand their domestic workforce dropped to 42 percent from 48 percent in 2011.

-- Despite high unemployment, every executive interviewed acknowledged that it is difficult to find certain categories of skilled talent especially in engineering, healthcare, and IT.

More companies (51 percent) plan to invest in their existing workforce through training compared to last year (34 percent). Additionally, fewer firms plan to increase the number of part-time workers (only 13 percent compared with 18 percent in 2011).

Financing

Mid-market companies remain focused on balance sheet health and improving their cash positions while continuing to invest.

-- Thirty-five percent of respondents are predicting higher cash balances.

-- Ninety percent expect capital investment to grow or at least remain stable.

-- Twenty-seven percent are not planning to secure external financing this year, compared to 14 percent last year.

Interestingly, only 7 percent of privately held mid-market companies would consider going public in the next year.

Technology

Last year’s survey showed that mid-market executives understand the importance of technology to their business. This year, respondents re-affirmed that technology continues to be vital to increasing productivity.

-- Business process automation remains the top investment pick to increase productivity for 46 percent (down from 52 percent last year).

-- Forty percent– up from 29 percent last year – recognize cloud computing and Software as a Service (Saas) as one of the top three technology investments for 2012.

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