Digitally enabled SMEs most optimistic about 2021, MYOB Business Monitor finds

Gen Y SMEs (aged 25-39) are most positive about the year ahead with 53% expecting more profit in the next 12 months. They are the group most likely to be digitally enabled, with 84% having either a website, social media presence or both for their business, according to the latest MYOB Business Monitor.

The biannual report, which surveys the views of 1,000+ Australian small and medium sized enterprise (SME) owners, found Generation Y SMEs achieved more profitability in the past 12 months (40%) compared to the national average (26%).

Overall, 35% of all respondents moved more of their business online after COVID-19 hit. Eighty-three per cent of those who did say it helped their business stay afloat during the pandemic. One in 4 SMEs surveyed intend to double-down on digital, by providing more products and services for sale online in the year ahead.

The adoption of digital tools is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a critical business decision for SMEs, says MYOB CEO Greg Ellis.

“Digital enablement is essential for the current and future success of SMEs. Many businesses would not have survived 2020 without digital tools as they became the only way to connect with customers, colleagues and communities at large.

“2020 proved that we have to stop treating digitisation as a future state. Yet MYOB’s Business Monitor survey has shown us that 34% of respondents still don’t have any online presence. This needs to change, and it’s why we’re calling for digital incentives, such as rebates, for SaaS adoption to be introduced for businesses to encourage them to get online.”

Business confidence

The Business Monitor, which measures SME confidence, pressures and priorities bi-annually in Australia, found confidence among SMEs is showing signs of uplift after a challenging year, with 48% believing the Australian economy will improve in the next 12 months, more than double the 21% who held this view in June 2020.

While confidence in the economy is growing, many businesses are still feeling the effects of COVID-19, with 44% of SMEs indicating revenue is down compared to this time last year and 21% anticipating it will be down in another 12 months.

However, there are encouraging signs of recovery. Thirty-nine per cent of respondents say the profitability of their business is down compared to this time last year, but 43% expect their profitability to increase over the coming 12 months. Just over a fifth (22%) say they will feel the disruption of COVID-19 for another six months at most.

Business Pressures

Across the board businesses were feeling less pressure than June last year, though the economic downturn due to COVID-19 remains the top concern for SMEs, with 37% of respondents saying it would cause extreme or quite a lot of pressure. This was followed by attracting new customers and the cost of utilities (both at 30%) and cashflow at 29%. Encouragingly, late payments pose significantly less hassle at 25%, compared to 31% this time last year and 38% in June 2020.

Business Priorities

Customer retention is a top priority for SMEs this year, with 27% expecting to increase their investment in this area. Other investments set to increase are prices and margins on products and services sold, and the sales of products and services online (both at 25%). Fifteen per cent of SMEs expect to increase their investment in full-time employees and 18% expect to increase their investment in part-time or casual employees.

“The latest Business Monitor findings show it’s more important than ever for business owners to be digitally enabled, and online businesses have the best chance at success. Many of the pressures felt by Australian small businesses – such as attracting new customers or managing utilities or profitability - can be eased through technology-driven solutions.

“Digitisation is not just about using social media or designing a smart website. It’s about capitalising on the efficiencies and insights that digital technology can provide in terms of productivity, accuracy and making smarter business decisions.”

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Media Contact

Sarah Gundlach, Character + Distinction | +61 403 793 609

About the MYOB Business Monitor

The MYOB Business Monitor is a national survey of 1,000+ Australian small and medium business owners and managers, from sole traders to mid-sized companies, representing the major industry sectors. The Business Monitor researches business performance and attitudes in areas such as profitability, cash flow, pipeline, technology usage and the government. It has run since 2009, commissioned to independent market research firm Colmar Brunton. This most recent survey ran November-December 2020. The businesses participating in the online survey were both non-employing and employing businesses. All data has been weighted by industry type, location and number of employees, which are in line with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS - Counts of Australian businesses, including entries & exits - 8165.0).