For the eighth year, we have gathered the opinions of successful Canadian private companies to find out their concerns, top-of-mind business issues and how they are thriving in today's economy.

Business confidence and future growth

• 81% of total respondents are planning on growth and expansion over the next 12 months. With the grey cloud of the economy lingering, there seems to be quiet confidence emerging among Canadian private companies to focus on growth.
• 77% expect business to develop in the next year, 21% forecast no change, and 4% expect a worse year. While overall positive, this is a conservative outlook compared to 2011's optimism.
• Company size is a key differentiator to adopting growth strategies. When looking at the company's outlook on evolving and growing their business, size appears to be a factor in their differing perspectives.