As 2014 draws to a close and businesses are looking toward 2015, the inaugural survey from The Hartford’s 2014 Midsize Business Monitor found that a majority of midsize business owners are optimistic about the economy and plan to make key investments to drive growth for their companies, including investments in operations, technology, and new products and services, as well as adding staff and expanding into new markets.

According to the survey, 66% of midsize business owners and C-level executives are optimistic that the national economy will strengthen in the next six months. Showing their optimism, these businesses indicated that, in 2015, they’re likely to make investments in the following areas:

  • Technology (88%)
  • Operations (87%)
  • Additional staff (74%)

As for growth opportunities, a majority of midsize business owners and executives said they’re looking at:

  • A new product service or offering—76%
  • New customer segments—70%
  • New geographies—61%

“Midsize businesses are vital to the U.S. economy, fueling growth as both customers of and suppliers to smaller and larger businesses,” said David Carter, senior vice president of Middle Market insurance at The Hartford, in a prepared statement. “The investment and expansion plans of businesses in this sector create a ripple effect of opportunity for companies of all sizes that provide the products and services they will need.”

Hiring challenges

Recommended For You

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free PropertyCasualty360 Digital Reader

Your access to unlimited PropertyCasualty360 content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Breaking insurance news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
  • Weekly Insurance Speak podcast featuring exclusive interviews with industry leaders
  • Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
  • Critical converage of the employee benefits and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, BenefitsPRO and ThinkAdvisor
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Rosalie Donlon

Rosalie Donlon is the editor in chief of ALM's insurance and tax publications, including NU Property & Casualty magazine and NU PropertyCasualty360.com. You can contact her at [email protected].