• Business owners are more optimistic
• The marketplace is changing
• Cash flow is improving

Optimism
Businesses are much more optimistic than they were at the close of the first quarter. Optimism among businesses has improved from 33 to 45%. Those respondents who feel they will gain market share in 2009 has increased from 15 to 70%. An overwhelming majority (73%) feel their business will emerge from the recession stronger than before; the minority reporting their business will emerge weaker or the same decreased from 34 to 27%.

Realities of a Changing Marketplace
While optimism has grown, reality has also arrived. The marketplace has changed as a result of the economic slowdown. In fact, over half of the respondents report that the competition has decreased. Revenue expectations reflected this new reality as the percentage of business owners anticipating a revenue decrease in 2009 grew from 24% in March to 42% in June. As a result of the changing marketplace 97% of respondents report making changes this year and 63% report they intend to make more changes.

Other signs of reality included a decreased percentage of respondents focusing on core business to maintain or grow, shrinking from 45 to 30%, and the percentage of respondents reporting a lack of capital hurting their business grew from 16 to 30%.

Cash Flow
However, since March, respondents report better cash flow. June’s survey reports 39% saw improvement, versus March’s 3%. The June survey shows cash flow remains unchanged for 48% of respondents versus 40% in March. Only 13% of the June respondents reported worsening cash flow versus 57% in March.

Signs of an Improving Economy
The number of businesses reporting their business is doing very well increased from 7 to 13% and those reporting modest growth increased from 10 to 23%. Meanwhile, those reporting their business is off decreased (from 67% to 55%). Businesses are showing signs of optimism; 65% plan to make capital investments this year if funding is available—an increase from 35% in the March survey.

Click here to review the detailed survey results. Learn how businesses are
managing to stay afloat or even thrive in this difficult economy.

ADAMS also completed a new Web site to support iJoin (www.ijoinplan.com) which included design, content development, programming, and a custom content management system. The organization, which provides mobile 401k enrollment solutions, is now supported by a branding message that effectively communicates its unique value proposition to the financial services community.

Kendall Kay, an iJoin Partner stated, “ADAMS has been a strategic partner, helping us position and develop a brand for iJoin as we worked our way through product development. Their involvement early in the process provided valuable insights and allows us to launch with a cohesive communications platform in place.”

About iJoin: The iJoin Enrollment Solution revolutionizes how the defined contribution plan industry engages participants, building greater efficiency and effectiveness into the enrollment process while supporting participant success. With iJoin, participants are lead through an engaging, personalized decision-making process using their smart phone or a PDA provided during live enrollment meetings.

About ADAMS: ADAMS works with clients across diverse industries to increase their visibility, credibility, and profitability. A comprehensive understanding of today’s markets as well as an extensive knowledge of sales processes allows ADAMS to deliver each client a results-driven branding strategy that positively impacts their business.

• Wide-scale change
• A focus on strengthening the fundamental brand
• A priority shift toward improving the core business

Change is nearly universal. Almost all businesses have had to make adjustments since January 1st, and 65% plan to make even further changes this year.  Only 7% of business owners reported that business is doing very well, and only 3% say they have had improved cash flow. The vast majority of businesses say that their business is off as a result of the current economic climate. Clients are fewer, and the demand for products and services has declined.

Top-of-mind. The most important business initiatives planned for 2009 include strengthening brands, improving existing products and services, and improving internal efficiencies. As the need to stand out from the pack becomes even greater, businesses are focusing on what sets them apart from their competition.

An improvement of core business. Many businesses have been able to stabilize or even grow by focusing their efforts on improving the core business. Although there has been an overall decline in demand, the majority of business owners feel they are making the necessary adjustments, and anticipate that they will come out of this recession even stronger than before.

In spite of the trend toward tighter budgets and fewer customers, business owners feel the general outlook has improved since the beginning of the year. A significant percentage have changed their economic perspective from pessimistic to neutral. In fact, over half the business owners surveyed view this economic climate as an opportunity to gain market share, grow, and emerge as a leader.

Click here to review the detailed survey results. Learn how businesses are managing to stay afloat or even thrive in this difficult economy.

Perspectives on Recession

Economic climate survey results

Read the Results

ADAMS also completed a new Web site for The Board Forum (www.theboardforum.com) which included design, content development, programming, and a custom content management system. The organization, which provides a forum and CEO Roundtables for the CEOs throughout New England, is now supported by a branding message that effectively communicates its unique process and services to its market.

Laurie Kirk, CEO of The Board Forum stated, “It is rare that you come upon a vendor as valuable as ADAMS. They took the time to understand my business and clients, worked  efficiently and effectively, and produced a highly valuable brand identity and Web site that has already begun to pay dividends. Ken’s powerful understanding of the sales process and the ability to inject that knowledge into the initial brand identity work sets ADAMS far ahead of any competition.”

About The Board Forum: The Board Forum is a challenging peer environment for chief executives who are committed to growing their companies, achieving personal success, and accelerating their goals. Through The Board Forum, executives can confidentially address their most pressing business issues—obtaining immediate and objective feedback from peers at every meeting; participating in effectively and efficiently facilitated roundtables; being held accountable by their peers to make and execute critical decisions; as well as having access to a private council of successful CEOs and thought-leaders.

About ADAMS: With resolute client focus, ADAMS is a results-driven branding firm that helps clients achieve their goals by developing compelling work grounded in sound strategy. For nearly two decades, ADAMS has collaborated with clients across diverse industries to increase their visibility, credibility, and profitability through deliberate, multi-faceted, and creative communications.

“ADAMS experience in financial services and healthcare as well as their expertise creating strategic communications allowed our site to be implemented quickly and efficiently. ADAMS immediately understood our business, our position, and our process, allowing them to translate it into the graphics and content for the site while efficiently managing the site’s development. They used a deliberate approach that will lead to results,” said Kendall Kay, President of KK & Company.

About KK & Comany: KK & Company provides strategic planning, marketing, and business development for financial services and health care organizations. Creating customized solutions that deliver a unique and profitable competitive advantage, KK & Company’s specialized knowledge of wealth accumulation, retirement income, wellness and employer markets help some of the world’s most prestigious institutions understand and meet their customers’ needs.

About ADAMS: With resolute client focus, ADAMS is a results-driven branding firm that helps clients achieve their goals by developing compelling work grounded in sound strategy. For nearly two decades, we have collaborated with clients across diverse industries to increase their visibility, credibility, and profitability through deliberate, multi-faceted, and creative communications.

Concord, Massachusetts—ADAMS, a strategic branding firm, announces the introduction of its new Web site assessment tool, Sitewiz™. Based on a proprietary, comprehensive 12-point analysis, Sitewiz is the first program of its kind. Integrating corporate branding strategy with an evaluation of a site’s purpose, audiences, and effectiveness, Sitewiz will benchmark a site against other similar sites and current Internet marketing best practices. Sitewiz can be performed on any site—including corporate, e-commerce, research-based, non-profit, or community portal—revealing areas where the site excels and where improvement is required.

“As 2009 approaches, many of our clients are using Sitewiz to identify the best ways to allocate their marketing dollars. Sitewiz will not only reveal the successes and shortcomings of a Web site, it will also reveal how well your site communicates your true brand to your targeted audience,” reports Ken Cochrane, President of ADAMS.  He adds, “The Internet can be the most cost efficient and effective marketing tool. But a Web site cannot remain static—it must always contain the most current information, adhere to a sound strategic vision, and constantly find ways to attract Web users—only then will it remain a key marketing asset.”

In addition to offering Web development services, ADAMS also provides strategic branding; brand positioning; product and service positioning; investor relations; as well as design services. Collaborating with clients across diverse industries to increase their visibility, credibility, and profitability, ADAMS develops deliberate, multi-faceted, and creative communications. To learn more about ADAMS and receive a free Sitewiz evaluation, visit www.adamsstrategy.com.

The new service line is driven by the growing demand to properly position an organization to capital markets. Across private and public sectors, strategic investment brand management is critical to expand and enhance an organization’s relationship with the investment community. Logically positioning the enterprise and senior management; intelligently branding offerings; eloquently communicating business strategies; promptly resolving issues that could affect stock prices; managing investor perceptions; and developing compelling  communications— are all results of ADAMS strategic investor relations branding service.

In addition to offering investor relations branding, ADAMS also provides strategic branding; positioning; product, and service positioning; as well as design services. Collaborating with clients across diverse industries to increase their visibility, credibility, and profitability, ADAMS develops deliberate, multi-faceted, and creative communications.

Sam Bahreini of APC stated, “We relied on ADAMS Expertise to help bring APC to the next level. We are part of an expanding market segment and now have the capability to speak with a much broader audience.”

About APC: APC Wireless bridges the gap between wireless producers and merchants by creating tailored electronic solutions for mobile devices. Extensive industry knowledge allows APC to efficiently provide clients with an extensive product selection, and the best value.

About ADAMS: With resolute client focus, ADAMS is a results-driven branding firm that helps clients achieve their goals by developing compelling work grounded in sound strategy. For nearly two decades, we have collaborated with clients across diverse industries to increase their visibility, credibility, and profitability through deliberate, multi-faceted, and creative communications.