The State Worker

Consumer Views on Corporate Priorities and Performance

· 88% of consumers said it was extremely or very important that companies help get the economy back on track in 2011, but only 17% said companies deserved an 'A' or 'B' for their efforts on this in 2010. 84% said companies deserved a 'C' or below.

· 88% said it was extremely or very important to conduct business in an ethical manner in 2011, and 87% said it was a top priority to do business in an honest and moral way. But just 17% of Americans thought companies deserved an 'A' or 'B' for honest and moral conduct in 2010, and just 18% awarded companies an 'A' or 'B' for their ethics in 2010.

· 87% said it was a top priority for corporations to address unemployment by creating more jobs in America in 2011. But just 11% thought companies deserved an 'A' or 'B' for creating jobs in 2010, and 89% graded companies 'C' or lower for adding jobs.

· 85% of consumers thought it was extremely or very important for companies in 2011 to deliver high quality products and services, although only 31% said companies deserved an 'A' or 'B' for this in 2010.

· 84% said it was a top priority for companies to survive a recession in 2011, while 30% of consumers felt companies earned an 'A' or 'B' grade for this in 2010.

· 84% of Americans thought companies needed to demonstrate good governance in 2011, while only 16% felt corporations had earned an 'A' or 'B' grade on this issue in 2010.

· 83% said it was the highest importance for corporations to pay back any bailout money loaned them as quickly as possible in 2011, but 78% of consumers said companies deserved a 'C' or below for this issue in 2010.

· 83% of consumers said it was extremely or very important for corporations to maintain current levels of employment, but only 14% said corporations deserved an 'A' or 'B' for this in 2010.

· 82% said it was a top priority for companies to make fewer mistakes and errors in 2011, while just 19% gave companies an 'A' or 'B' for this in 2010.

· 82% of consumers said it was of the highest importance for corporations to build trust with all groups and individuals they interact with in 2011, while only 15% thought companies deserved an 'A' or 'B' for this in 2010.

· 81% of Americans felt it was extremely or very important for companies to address the healthcare needs of their employees, though only 16% said companies deserved an 'A' or 'B' for this in 2010.

· 79% of consumers feel it's a high priority for corporations should deliver expected financial performance in 2011, though only 22% awarded companies an 'A' or 'B' on this task in 2010.

· 79% said it was extremely or very important for America's corporations to maintain their competitive advantage, while 25% felt companies earned an 'A' or 'B' for this in 2010.

· 79% of Americans said it was a top priority for companies in 2011 to attract and retain high caliber employees, while 23% said corporations deserved an 'A' or 'B' for this during 2010.

· 79% said it was of the highest importance for corporations to improve their overall reputation in 2011, while 18% felt companies deserved an 'A' or 'B' on this topic in 2010.

· 78% of consumers said it was extremely or very important for companies to be more open or transparent about the decisions they make in 2011, but only 16% of consumers said companies deserved an 'A' or 'B' on this issue in 2010.

· 78% of Americans say it's extremely or very important for corporations to advocate on behalf of the interests of the American people, but only 14% think companies earned an 'A' or 'B' for this in 2010.

· 78% of consumers thought companies should work to reduce the gap between CEO pay and that of average workers in 2011, but 90% said corporations earned a 'C' or below on that task in 2010.

· 75% thought that it was extremely or very important for companies to create innovative new services and products in 2011, while 32% felt companies deserved an 'A' or 'B' grade for this in 2010.

· 75% of consumers said it was a top priority for companies to significantly reduce the number of product recalls in 2011, although only 21% said corporations earned an 'A' or 'B' for their work in this regard in 2010.

· 75% of Americans said it was extremely or very important for companies to innovate new products and services in 2011, but only 31% awarded companies an 'A' or 'B' for this in 2010.

· 71% thought that it was a high priority for companies to work in partnership with others to address important societal issues that we face as a nation, but only 16% thought corporations earned an 'A' or 'B' for this in 2010.

· 70% of Americans thought it was of the highest importance for companies to increase employee benefits in 2011, but just 10% thought corporations deserved an 'A' or 'B' for this in 2010.

· 70% of consumers said it was extremely or very important for companies to contribute solutions to social and environmental challenges, while 17% awarded companies an 'A' or 'B' for this issue in 2010.