Improving business efficiency can mean anything from migrating on-premise applications to cloud services or increasing a workforce in tough economic times. According to a recent survey by the Women Presidents' Organization, the latter is exactly what many woman-owned businesses are doing.

The survey found that 82 percent of large organizations run by women have a positive outlook for growth in 2011, and 42 percent of these respondents were able to give their employees raises. By comparison, more than half of the small businesses that participated in the survey experienced positive growth in 2011, while 51 percent expressed optimism for their financial performance for the rest of the year.

"Our survey indicates that WPO members have found ways to retain their employees in a changing economy, and to hire, provide benefits and competitive compensation," said Marsha Firestone, president and founder of WPO. "I sincerely believe that the members of the WPO represent models of perseverance for small businesses globally."

According to a SurePayroll study, overall small business optimism leapt 20 percent in October, demonstrating that the majority of small firms are feeling somewhat comfortable with the downturned economy. While woman-owned businesses continue to perform well, the rest of small organizations do as well.