The Business Survey January 2026

Complete our survey for the chance to win a Whoop one 5.0 wearable fitness tracker. Global and market volatility continues, and so we're keen to learn about your business, how you are facing up to challenges and curveballs, and preparing for future growth. And because we like to help our clients sleep better at night, we're giving one lucky entrant the chance to win a Whoop one 5.0 wearable fitness tracker worth £169* (details at the foot of the survey).

Question Title

* 1. Which of the below best describes your sector?

Professional / business services

Tech / Software

Manufacturing

Retail

Hospitality

Transport / Logistics

Construction

Financial services

Healthcare

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 2. On a scale of 1-100 (1 being terrible, 100 being fantastic), how are you feeling about the prospects for your business in 2026?

Terrible

Average

Fantastic

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 3. Do you plan on making changes to your workforce over the next 6 months?

Yes – increasing the number of people in the team

Yes – decreasing the number of people in the team

No changes

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* 4. Compared to 12 months ago, are you finding it easier or more difficult to recruit?

Easier

More difficult

About the same

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* 5. What salary increases do you plan to make in your next salary reviews?

<1%

1-1.99%

2-2.99%

3-3.99%

4-5%

>5%

Undecided

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* 6. Is cash flow...

Better than 12 months ago?

Worse than 12 months ago?

About the same?

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* 7. If trading stayed broadly the same, how long is your current cash runway?

12+ months - not an issue

6-12 months - no immediate concerns, but need to keep close to it

3-6 months - actively managing day-to-day cash flow

Less than 3 months - immediate action needed

Question Title

* 8. How do you think turnover in 2026 will compare to 2025?

Increase >30%

Increase 20-30%

Increase 15-19%

Increase 10-14%

Increase 1-9%

No change

Decrease 1-9%

Decrease 10-14%

Decrease 14-19%

Decrease 20-30%

Decrease >30%

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* 9. How do you think profit in 2026 will compare to 2025?

Increase >30%

Increase 20-30%

Increase 15-19%

Increase 10-14%

Increase 1-9%

No change

Decrease 1-9%

Decrease 10-14%

Decrease 15-19%

Decrease 20-30%

Decrease >30%

Question Title

* 10. What are the biggest challenges you’re facing right now? (please tick all that apply).

Increasing sales

Hiring the right people

Uncertainty around the impact of tariffs from the US

Cost pressure from suppliers

Cost pressure from salary inflation

Passing costs onto customers

Day to day cash flow

Access to funding for investment

Higher interest rates

Fuel costs

Raw materials costs

Supply chain management

Other (please specify)

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* 11. Where do you see the biggest opportunities for 2026? (please tick all that apply).

Failing competition

Collaborating with other businesses in my sector

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* 12. How do you currently feel about the impact of AI on the future of your sector?

AI will elevate our work and client service. I’m excited about the opportunities

It’s a useful tool, but not a game changer. We’ll adapt as needed

I’m concerned about job displacement and loss of control

It’s overhyped. We’ve heard similar stories before

Still trying to understand what it really means for us

Other (please specify)

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* 13. Has the development of AI led you to make significant changes to your business model?

Yes

Please tell us more about your answer

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* 14. How are the current conditions affecting your exit plans?

I'd like to exit sooner as too stressful

I won't be able to exit when I wanted to

Nothing's changed

I don't have an exit plan

Other (please specify)

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* 15. If you have an exit plan, when are you hoping to exercise it?

1-3 years

4-5 years

6+ years

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* 16. Have the recent changes to IHT, and the taxation of business assets made you re-evaluate how shareholdings are structured?

Yes

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* 17. What would make the biggest positive difference to your business in the next 12 months?

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* 18. Lastly, what in your business keeps you awake at night?

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* 19. Thank you for completing our survey, if you would like the chance to win a Whoop one 5.0 fitness band.

Name

Email Address

A note about privacy
We take your privacy seriously and any personal information you provide us will not be shared with any third parties. You can choose to remain completely anonymous, although we will need your details if you'd like the chance to receive a Whoop one 5.0 fitness band.
*Terms and conditions
Anyone completing the survey before it closes at Midnight on Sunday 1st February 2026 is enabling Wilson Partners to donate to the B1G1 initiative. One submission will also be drawn at random and receive a Whoop one 5.0 wearable fitness tracker worth £169. There is no cash alternative. The successful entrant will be notified within 7 days of the survey close date. Please note you will need to provide contact details in order to be included in the draw.