According to a recent survey of small and medium-sized business owners, full participation in an economic recovery has eluded many businesses whose owners are guardedly optimistic concerning 2005. The survey was performed by National Market Measures, a market research firm based in Cleveland, OH

TAB membership in Canada has more than doubled since early 2004. Over 300 TAB Board meetings are held each month across the United States, Canada and South America TAB has grown the number of franchises by 30 percent and the number of members by 19 percent since early 2004.

The locally owned and operated office of The Alternative Board (TAB) is part of an organization that has jumped to No. 226 in Entrepreneur magazine's annual Franchise 500 -- up from No. 466 last year. The Alternative Board is the only ranked franchise differentiated as a peer advisory boa