NASE President
Bob Hughes






From The President:
 NASE Membership Growing And Changing

To get to know our Members a little better, the NASE recently conducted a random survey of 1,000 Members. The survey revealed that the makeup of our association is changing – growing into a stronger and larger force in the small-business marketplace. And the NASE is actively setting new goals with these changes in mind.

The survey revealed that more members are now involved in services. Our members are also adapting to new technology. Legislative and tax issues and top the list of members’ concerns.

       
I want to personally thank all of the members who took their valuable time to participate in the survey. And I want to share some of the results of the survey here so you have a better understanding of your fellow members.

About Your Businesses
  • Almost 48 percent of NASE members work from their homes
  • About 32 percent work in offices outside their homes
  • 21 percent of members described the nature of their business as services/consulting; 15 percent in construction and 14.5 percent dedicated to retail trade
  • Nearly 59 percent of members’ businesses are sole proprietorships and about one-third are corporations
  • Just over 39 percent of members employ a spouse
  • Almost 30 percent employ other family members

About Technology

  • Almost one-fourth of members’ businesses have a Web site
  • About three-fourths of NASE members have Internet access
  • E-mail is used by nearly 70 percent of members

About Small-Business Issues

  • Nearly 70 percent of members rated legislative news and issues as important to their businesses
  • 44 percent of members showed a strong interest in tax issues

These numbers reflect an evolving membership. We are still an association made up of the smallest of small business. But we are a formidable group ready to take up the challenges that face us on the technological frontier and in the legislative arena.

The NASE is responding to these changes by setting new goals. We are exploring ways to help self-employed professionals embrace and educate themselves about new technology. We are promoting the rapid exchange of information and ideas through such venues as the NASE Web site. We are actively working to expand and strengthen the package of benefits we provide for our members. And we are finding new ways to help our members voice their views on important legislative matters.

Together, these goals will not only strengthen the association, but they will also help you build more successful small businesses that can compete in the global marketplace. And that – in the end – is the greatest goal of the NASE.