August 20, 2010
One in two British workers are desperate to become entrepreneurs but are put off by start-up costs and administrative demands, a new report has found.
A survey of office workers, commissioned by online payments provider PayPoint.net, revealed that 62% of respondents would start their own business if the task were easier.
Two-thirds of the nation’s office workers, 64%, believe running their own business would be more fulfilling than their current job, as figures show a worrying amount of time is spent waiting on office technology and in ‘boring’ meetings.
Just under half of respondents spend up to an hour scheduling meetings, with 21% and 28% spending over an hour a week queuing for the printer or photocopier.
As a result, start-up rates are on the rise, with around 240 new companies incorporated every day during the first quarter of 2010. This increase has taken some analysts by surprise, with many predicting falls as a result of continuing economic uncertainty.
“Considering the tough economic climate of the past two years, it’s fantastic to see such a strong sense of entrepreneurialism in the UK,” commented PayPoint.net Managing Director, Michael Norton.
The research, based on a survey of over 1,100 office workers across the UK, found that online businesses are the most popular avenue for Britain’s would-be entrepreneurs, listed by 34% as the kind of business they’d like to own.
Service and consultancy was the second most popular option with 28%, while more traditional retail and construction ventures were seen as the least admired.
However, those hoping to start a new business during unpredictable financial times should seek advice and assess their business model carefully before dipping a toe into Britain’s still fragile economy.
