% expect to see an increase in revenue in the coming year, % expect to see an increase in profitability, % plan to invest more money in plants and machinery, % expect accessibility of financing to remain at the same level of accessibility over the next 12 months, % expect it to become more accessible. [access to financing]

% believe employment levels at their respective companies will remain stagnant, % said they would keep selling prices the same, % will not increase investments in new buildings, research & development [R&D], exports.

Extent to which the economic crisis has changed the use of risk mitigation instruments; Credit insurance: whole turnover, Credit insurance: excess of loss, Credit reports, Letter of credit, Self insurance, Advance payment, Factoring

Extent to which the following factor has impacted cash flow: Accessibility of financing [access to financing], Availability of credit insurance on buyers, Availability of credit from suppliers, Changes in use of cash sales, Number of customers, Stock / Inventory levels, Length of time within customers pay, Payment defaults

Includes: Business plans for 2009 have been compromised by lack of access to financing, Bank has noticeably tightened covenants in past six months, Company has increased/decreased net borrowings this year compared to last, Interest rate and fees on renewed borrowings has increased.

Business focus: Reducing costs of operations, Better targeting of customers, Expansion plans, Improving staff skills, Improving processes, Maximizing return on investment, Strategy definition/evaluation, Collaboration/strategic alliances, Staff retention, Increased R&D/innovation

Rating of company for talent management, Method of measuring commitment and loyalty of staff (absenteeism, staff turnover, evaluations, staff surveys, client surveys)

Strategies being used to encourage innovation in company, Top five opportunities created by recession being taken advantage of [Financial Crisis 2008]

Anticipated time for economy to come out of recession, How do you expect your business to develop in the next 12 months? [business confidence]

Includes: Profile of innovative and non-innovative SMEs ( e.g. % under 40 years old, % majority-owned by women, Year firm starting selling goods and services, Export activity, Industry, Number of full-time-equivalent employees)

Authorized and unauthorized debt financing request, Rate of discouraged borrowers, Debt approval rate, Purpose of debt financing, Amount of financing authorized. [access to credit]

Sources of financing: supplier credit, personal savings, personal credit cards, retained earnings, business credit cards, personal lines of credit, leasing, personal loans, loans from friends and relatives, government lending agencies, angel investment.

% of SMEs have switched from one financial institution to another for some or all of their banking needs, When choosing a financial institution, % based their choice on credit services vs. non-credit banking services

Transaction type for day-to-day services - In-person teller, Internet banking

How long do you think it will be before the Canadian economy starts to turn around and experience growth? What are your expectations for your company over the next 12 months? What would you say are the lessons you have learned from the developments over the past year that have or will change how you do business? (Debt load, Monitor spending, Access to capital, Risk assessment, Expect the unexpected)

When this recession ends and the economy normalizes, do you think we will have a much higher, somewhat higher, somewhat lower or much lower standard of living than we used to have?

Confidence in the ability of your company to forecast business performance? Thinking of your company’s workforce over the next year, will you be: significantly increasing overall staffing & employment levels.

In the current quarter and next 2 quarters will you company be: Growing the business through acquisitions, Borrowing/Refinancing, Looking for new suppliers, Borrowing/Using debt markets to raise money, Using equity markets to raise money, Increasing capital spending, Looking to merge, Restructuring, Restoring inventory levels, Restoring staffing levels.

Has it become more or less difficult to access credit in the last 3 mos.?

What is the biggest challenge facing your company right now? (Access to Capital, Market fluctuations/inflation, Economic conditions, Internal/Organizational challenges, HR/Labour)

Performance expectations for: Equity markets, Access to credit for businesses, Consumer spending, Employment levels [unemployment], Housing starts, Property values, Viability/stability of pension plans, Income levels.

% of private companies prepare financial forecasts looking at best and worst case scenarios and strategies for dealing with each one, Have you refined, revisited or increased the frequency of your forecasting in light of the current economic downturn [Financial Crisis 2008]

What time frame do you prepare forecasts for? Does your company routinely share its forecasts with your banker?

Includes: Number and Value of CSBF Program Loans and Claims, 1999-2004, Profile of entrepreneurs (CSBF Program Borrowers and All SMEs) - Gender, Age, Managerial Experience, Business Acquisition (family business, acquired from non-family, start from scratch)

Would you say that it is significantly harder to access financing? How much longer do you think the credit crunch will last? Outlook for specific economic and business indicators and sectors (Equity markets, Credit crunch/Access to credit, Banking system, Consumer spending & confidence, Pension fund liabilities, Housing sector starts and property value, Employment & income levels)

What is the biggest challenge facing your company right now? Most likely course of action in face of current economic condition (Reduce capital expenditures planned, Cut operating expenses, Dispose of non-core businesses or assets, Growing business through acquisitions, Looking to merge, Diverting cash from operations into pensions funds)

Thinking of your company’s workforce over the next year, will you be: significantly increasing overall staffing & employment levels, What would you say is the most important challenge facing Canadian businesses today? Most popular policy initiatives.

% of small business owners believe the Canadian economy will be affected but will 'avoid serious damage' vs. will be 'dragged down into a recession or worse', % intend to take action to alleviate the strains imposed by challenging economic times, % are worried about the short term viability of their business, % acknowledge that their company will have serious problems in the near future if they don't have access to credit or loans for what they want to do [access to financing]

% under the age of 40, % speak a non-official language as their mother tongue, % have post-secondary education, % with managerial experience, % home-based business, % urban based, % export outside of Canada

Average financial statement figures in 2004 vs. urban entrepreneurs.

What are your expectations for the U.S. economy over the next 12 months? What are the expectations for your company over the next 12 months? What is the biggest challenge facing your company right now? (Financing/Cost of capital, Market fluctuation/Inflation, HR, Economic conditions)

Is it more difficult for companies to access financing today due to the credit crunch, How much longer do you think the credit crunch will last? Has the credit crunch had a direct impact on your company? [Financial Crisis 2008]

Effect of various business and economic factor on your business (Interest rates set by Bank of Canada, Interest Rate Setting by Fed, Slow Cdn Economic Growth, Price of Oil [gasoline prices], Value of C$, Slow US Economic Growth, Credit Crunch, Equity market volatility)

Appeal of various financing options available to companies (PE, Venture Capital (VC)/Angel Investors, Equity Markets, Banks, Insurance Cos., trad'l lenders, Institutional investors (incl, Pension Funds)

Does the following apply to your company as a reason for seeking new capital or financing in the last 12 mos.? (Improve productivity, Refinancing, Infrastructure/Equipment, Acquisitions, Expanding the company)

Includes: Perceived obstacles to business growth and development, Financial supplier approached by SMEs by type of financing, Security and documentation required by financial providers