Women entrepreneurs pessimistic or realistic about growth?

Female fast growth business owners more cautious about short term growth than male counterparts.

By News Desk
9th November 2009 at 11:56

Female UK entrepreneurs less confident than male Over a third of women business owners (36.7%) are forecasting 10% revenue growth in 2009/10 according to findings of a major report on UK entrepreneurship. But female entrepreneurs are a lot more cautious than men when it comes to assessing their prospects.

According to the annual Entrepreneurship UK report released by accountants Deloitte’s, 42% of men expect to see turnover increase by between 50-200% over the next three years.

This compares to just over 32% of women who anticipate similar growth over the same period.

Debbie Griffiths of Deloitte says:

Expectations amongst women entrepreneurs are relatively guarded at this point, a sentiment that is only heightened when compared with the confidence displayed of their male counterparts.

When it comes to how growth is likely to be achieved, men and women also differ significantly.

Female business owners say entry into new markets (32%) and increased productivity (29%) will be the key drivers to boost business over the next few years.

Male entrepreneurs consider these areas less important (20% and 17% respectively).

Optimism is a byword for entrepreneurship, but hard-nosed realism is a must too.

The question is are women less confident in the prospects for their business, or are they simply avoiding the bravado of the alpha-male to look at the commercial climate with realistic eyes?

[Picture credit: Dyanna licenced from Flickr]

Commenting Is Easy

Do you have an opinion on this news item? Have something to add that others might find helpful? Then please leave a comment in the box below.

If you'd like to have your image included next to your comments here, then you can set yourself up with an avatar in just a couple of clicks.

Leave a comment

Related Posts

Photostream

Listen to the sales podcast for SMEs Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes

BUSINESS PODCASTS

Click on one of the play buttons to listen to inspirational interviews with entrepreneurs from SmallBizPod.

SmallBizPod #50 - Martin Webb podcast interview

SmallBizPod #50 - Martin Webb podcast interview

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #79 - interview with Doug Richard, serial entrepreneur and former Dragon

SmallBizPod #79 - interview with Doug Richard, serial entrepreneur and former Dragon

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #58 - Who Is Afraid Of The Female Entrepreneur?

SmallBizPod #58 - Who Is Afraid Of The Female Entrepreneur?

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
Sage Sponsors SmallBizPod

Sage Sponsors SmallBizPod

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #81 - interview with Laura Tenison founder of JoJo Maman Bebe

SmallBizPod #81 - interview with Laura Tenison founder of JoJo Maman Bebe

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now
SmallBizPod #98 - Finding Funding - Angels & VCs

SmallBizPod #98 - Finding Funding - Angels & VCs

PostedDetails | PostediTunes
play small business podcast now

PARTNER PROMOTIONS

If looking to boost your businesses performance with promotional marketing, travel incentives or incentive schemes get it touch with NDL Group