The McCannics isurvey, September 1999

The most recent McCannics isurvey (formerly known as the e-survey) finds that internet-connected businesses in the UK are distinctly underwhelmed by Tony Blair's naming on 13th September of Alex Allan as the government's first e-envoy. Only one-third of respondents to the survey (almost all of which have had a web-site for at least two years) think that the e-envoy is likely to do anything to help their business.

Despite this general scepticism, well over half of respondents did suggest ways in which the e-envoy or government might could best encourage the use of the internet and e-commerce. A number thought that the most helpful thing which the government could do would be to encourage or compel telecoms companies to give free local calls, as in other countries. Others thought that educating businesses and general consumers and building confidence in the internet was most important.

A number of businesses complained about the slow take-up of the internet by government itself, suggesting that e-commerce should be the standard for all government purchases and many services. There is clearly plenty concern within these internet-savvy firms about the dangers of over-regulation and taxation. This was summarised by one respondent, who suggested that the best way in which the government could promote the internet and e-commerce was:

• "By leaving well alone". All comments from respondents ...

The internet-connected firms taking part in the isurvey once again strike a cautionary note on the performance of the economy. For the second survey in succession, the proportion of respondents reporting their sales have increased over the past year has fallen, to 32%. These are now outnumbered by the 41% which say that their sales in August 1999 were lower than in August 1998, giving a balance (proportion reporting an increase minus proportion reporting a fall) of -9% (see chart, right).

The balance of firms reporting that their selling prices in August 1999 were higher than in August 1998 also shows a marked fall compared with the previous survey - down from +20% to +9%.

The twenty-sixth survey questionnaire was sent out on 15th September 1999 and by 25th September responses had been received from 44 businesses across the UK.

The isurvey has been operating on a pilot scale for the past two years and is now ready to show its full potential. Organisations which would like to collaborate should contact McCannics. Individual UK-based businesses which would like to take part in the survey should send a blank e-mail to volunteer@isurvey.co.uk.

All individual replies will be kept strictly confidential. Only anonymised results will be published, and your e-mail address will not be passed on to any third party.

E-mail us with comments, queries or suggestions for future topical questions at: isurvey@mccannics.co.uk