U.S. and Global SMBs Are in Growth Mode

March 20, 2026

We just surveyed 800 SMB decision-makers in the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and India to understand the SMB growth mindset. Growth is the dominant mindset, except among U.S. businesses with fewer than 20 employees, which are focused on maintaining current operations. Note that fielding occurred during the start of the war with Iran, and business outlook may change with the price of oil and related products; we’ll update this data on an ongoing basis.

Top Operating Modes: U.S. SMBs

Very small businesses (VSBs, 1–19 employees):

  1. Maintaining current operations with limited change
  2. Actively growing and pursuing new opportunities
  3. Investing selectively while carefully managing risk

Small businesses (SBs, 20–99 employees):

  1. Actively growing and pursuing new opportunities
  2. Maintaining current operations with limited change
  3. Investing selectively while carefully managing risk

Midsized businesses (MBs, 100–1,000 employees):

  1. Actively growing and pursuing new opportunities
  2. Investing selectively while carefully managing risk
  3. Making significant changes to reposition the business

U.S. SMB Operating Modes

Which best describes how your business is operating right now?

Top Operating Modes: U.K., German, and Indian SMBs

Germany:

  1. Actively growing and pursuing new opportunities
  2. Maintaining current operations with limited change
  3. Investing selectively while carefully managing risk

India and the U.K.:

  1. Actively growing and pursuing new opportunities
  2. Investing selectively while carefully managing risk
  3. Maintaining current operations with limited change

U.K., Germany, and India SMB Operating Modes

Which best describes how your business is operating right now?

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