Strong increases in hiring, capital availability and capital expenditures were seen in October and November, according to the index of business conditions released by Tatum, a division of Randstad Holding NV. The index is based on a monthly survey of executive and consulting professionals in the U.S. in an effort to take the pulse of the economy.

One trend also cited by respondents to the survey is increased use of part-time hiring to retain flexibility amid growth. Another was cloud computing, which was seen as a tool that can free up capital typically spent on technology infrastructure.

“There are multiple domestic and global factors that will clearly impact the U.S. economy next year," said Tatum President Karen Macleod. “Even so, it's encouraging to see trends like cloud computing and more flexible hiring tactics that should have a positive impact on the 2012 business climate.”