Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council

Research & Analysis: SBE Council produces research reports, small business surveys, issue briefs and analysis on issues that help elected officials, policy leaders in government, entrepreneurs, the media and general public better understand how entrepreneurship and small businesses are vital to the economy and how small firms and business creation are impacted by specific policies that are being proposed or advanced. In addition to the regular daily content authored by SBE Council's economic team (105 briefs were produced for the year), various special reports and research included a quarterly "Small Business Check Up Survey" to help our team and government officials better understand how small businesses were navigating key issues and market events such as inflation, supply chain bottlenecks, workforce shortages, capital access challenges, and rapid digitization. The "Checkup Survey" produced important and timely data, which played a role in helping lawmakers, policy leaders and the media better understand small business priorities, how they were responding to challenges and market conditions, new tech tools they were using, and where they stand on key issues. SBE Council also produced regular updates on the historic growth in new business applications and small business tech adoption. One key survey and report - "Small Business AI Adoption Survey 2023" reported on their broad use of artificial intelligence (AI), and other new digital tools and social media platforms demonstrating their embrace of omni-channel strategies and AI to compete with larger players, operate more efficiently, reach more consumers and drive sales, and to innovate. The AI Adoption report helped to push back against possible overregulation of AI at a time when these solutions were helping small business owners save significant money and better compete in the marketplace. SBE Council's daily and weekly economic briefs and blog posts helped both small business owners and members of Congress better understand the data and trends produced in regular government economic reports - such as the monthly jobs report, and monthly trade, manufacturing, consumer credit, productivity, consumer confidence, the Federal Reserve Beige Book and durable goods reports. SBE Council also produced a report on business partnerships, "Economic Contributions of Partnerships in the Core Living Expenditures Sector" to point out the significant economic value of business partnerships.

Education: SBE Council creates and distributes educational content and hosts events to provide startups and small business owners with the tools and knowledge they need to launch, compete, and succeed. SBE Council's weekly "Business Intelligence" tips and trends for entrepreneurs was produced 22 times, along with 60 Small Business Insider blog posts featuring "how to" information, advice and guidance for business owners on topics ranging from market trends, new digital tools and social media developments, tax rule changes and compliance, new regulatory developments and how to prepare, protecting intellectual property, how small businesses are using artificial intelligence tools, how to attract and retain workers, how successful businesses were navigating through inflation, access to capital developments and more. SBE Council continued to provide content focused on misinformation small business owners were receiving about the Employee Retention Tax Credit, the rules of eligibility, and the importance of paying attention to Internal Revenue Service warnings. SBE Council's president participated in 22 online webinars and forums on various topics and issues including digital tools, where the economy was headed, intellectual property developments and more. SBE Council joined forces in a global entrepreneurship exchange initiative where our president spoke on topics such as the adoption of digital tools, the future of entrepreneurship, and the outlook for our global trading system. SBE Council continued its strong support of campaigns such as Small Business Saturday (we are a founding member), spearheading World IP Day, National Small Business Week, and Global Entrepreneurship Week. SBE Council social media platforms are important sources for sharing the range of educational content noted above, which reaches a significant audience. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are used extensively in sharing content and for engaging with business owners and the public. SBE Council's various reports and surveys - for example, its quarterly "Small Business Check Up Survey" - contains important information that helps the small business community better understand how entrepreneurs and startups are responding to marketforce and policy changes.

Other - Media and Communications: Media and earned media serve as an important channel for SBE Council to educate on key issues facing entrepreneurs, the policies and resources that entrepreneurs and small businesses need to compete and succeed, and how small businesses are faring from an economic and financial standpoint. SBE Council successfully utilizes a range of media channels and tools to help educate entrepreneurs and the public about issues and challenges facing small businesses, which helps to build awareness and support for the policies and resources that small businesses need. SBE Council regularly communicates with and through the media - via interviews, radio and television appearances, and through in-person and online events - and publishes Op-Eds and blog posts to convey top issues and to share "how to" information and trends. The team published 12 Op-Eds, released 39 press releases or statements, participated in 22 podcasts, distributed 62 Small Business Insider e-news reports (which are distributed to the media) and avidly uses social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) to communicate the results of research, or in support of advocacy efforts.