Study Says Canadian Small Businesses More Colourful than US Counterparts

Small businesses that want to get ahead of the competition might try adding a splash of color to their office documents and marketing materials, according to a recent survey conducted on behalf of Xerox Canada. Refreshingly, Canadian small businesses are leading the North American market in this department, as the survey found that Canadians are 18 per cent more likely to have in-house color capabilities than their U.S. counterparts. The survey – conducted by Environics Research Group* and
International Communications Research** – found that over three-quarters of Canadian small businesses have color printing capabilities (78 per cent), while only two-thirds (66 per cent) have such capabilities in the U.S.

The survey also found that:
1. 90 per cent of North American-based small businesses participating in the survey agreed that adding color to documents made them more memorable
2. 89 per cent agreed that color attracts new customers, and presents an image of impressive quality
3. Canadian respondents agreed more often that color gives them a competitive edge (85 per cent) than those in the U.S. (81 per cent)
4. When asked what color best represents their business over the next year, 26 per cent of respondents said blue symbolizes their company, while 19 per cent predicted their business would have either a green or red year.
5. At least eight in 10 respondents across North America agree the use of color documents:

-Makes their company appear successful (82 per cent)
-Enhances employee creativity (82 per cent)
-Gives their ideas and proposals greater consideration (84 per cent)

*Environics Research Group conducted 250 interviews with Canadian small business owners or managers with fewer than 100 employees between February 20th and 28th, 2003. The survey has a margin of error of +/-6.2%.

**International Communications Research, a leading independent research firm
based in Media, Pa., conducted 1,013 interviews with small business owners
or managers with fewer than 100 employees between February 19th and March
7th, 2003. The survey has a margin of error of +/-3.1%.