Some well-illustrated research from a late 2011 NFIB survey on small business owner sentiment and plans.

Key findings include:

• 3 out of 5 owners said uncertainty – both economic and political – impedes growth.
• Three-quarters of owners want to add employees in the next five years. Sixty percent want to add between on and 9 people.
• More than half of respondents – 53% – said lack of demand from consumers is a key factor impeding growth.
• Oddly, 52% of owners said they expect “little to no change” in their marketing plans.

Check out our January cover story on the new consumer, and what you can do to better understand – and sell to – them in the next year.