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e-Rewards Market Research Survey Reveals Drastic Actions Taken by International Business Leaders in 2009

Most Business Decision-Makers Expect Some Recovery by 2010

e-Rewards, Inc., a leading online market research panel provider, released the results of a new survey that pulsed senior business decision-makers on the effects of the recession to their companies and their view of economic recovery in 2010.

The survey was conducted among 529 business decision-makers in USA, Canada, Mexico, UK, France, Germany, and Australia, using e-Rewards' proprietary online research panels. Among a cross section of senior business decision-makers, over three quarters were Managing Directors, Chairmen, Presidents, CEOs, COOs, Board Members or Owners, and all were either the primary decision-maker or actively involved in making decisions for the company with a minimum of 100 people. A third were from companies employing more than 1,000 employees. As a result, respondents were able to reveal intimate details about their companies.

Drastic Action to Counter Deep Global Recession

The survey confirmed that the effects of the recession have been felt globally, with at least two thirds of senior decision-makers in each of the seven countries confirming that their companies had been adversely affected by the economic conditions. Specifically:

Actions Taken in 2009
Companies Adversely Affected by the Recession (77% of all companies)

Cut spending on travel & entertainment             72%
Reduced number of employees                        57%
Reduced bonus payments                             49%
Postponed major capital investments                47%
Reduced employee hours / overtime                  36%
Postponed acquisitions                             31%
Discounted products or services more than usual    29%
Closed some operations                             21%
Reduced some basic salaries                        21%
Some employees taking unpaid leave                 16%

Signs of Recovery

Despite the adverse effects to date, a third of business decision-makers feel that there has either already been some recovery or that they expect to see recovery by the end of 2009. And a further 35% expect there to be some recovery in the first half of 2010. The outlook does vary by country, with UK businesses least likely to have either seen any significant recovery or expect to see this in 2009.

% of Companies Either Already Seen, or Expect to See Recovery in 2009

Canada          49%
USA             32%
Australia       32%
Germany         29%
Mexico          25%
France          21%
UK              20%

2010 Business Planning

While there are signs of recovery, business leaders remain somewhat cautious when planning for 2010, with 44% planning for some growth, but just over a third expecting 2010 to be similar to their actual 2009 performance.

About e-Rewards, Inc.

e-Rewards, Inc., based in Dallas, TX, is the largest "by-invitation-only" online research panel provider, serving nearly 1,000 research firms. With millions of panelists, the e-Rewards® opinion panels provide research firms with quality respondents -- enabling them to interact with real consumers and business decision-makers. Launched in 1999, and named for the past three consecutive years by Inc. magazine as one of America's fastest growing companies, e-Rewards has offices located in Dallas, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Frankfurt, San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle. For more information, visit www.e-rewardsresearch.com.