WWW.CBIZ.COM SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT INDEX JANUARY 2017 19% of companies in the SBEI increased staff, 46% kept staff totals steady, and 35% decreased headcounts. TRENDING BY REGION INCREASED DECREASED NO CHANGE -3.12% -0.82% -0.23% -1.61% -0.17% 1.60% 6 MONTH OVERVIEW AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN JANUARY AT A GLANCE 46% NO CHANGE 19% INCREASED STAFFING 35% DECREASED STAFFING TRENDING BY INDUSTRY INCREASED DECREASED NO CHANGE RETAIL AGRICULTURE INSURANCE ACCOMMODATION & FOODSERVICE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FINANCIAL SERVICES CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION -2.43% -3.30% -2.76% -3.69% “When compared with previous January periods, this reading of the SBEI doesn’t in itself suggest a sentiment shift among small business owners. Rather, this reading is a natural result in January as owners adjust out of the high retail season in December. However, it’s vital that we see the months ahead demonstrate better results than the historical averages to support the notion that January isn’t a warning of changing expectations.” –Philip Noftsinger, President of CBIZ Employee Services Organization