MNP Business Leader Survey

Presented by:

• Introduction• Research Methodology• Results• Questions

Agenda

• Modelled after similar surveys conducted by MNP across Canada

• Short pulse survey was designed to provide an economic snapshot of the local business community and opinions on key local issues

• Developed in partnership with the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce

• Goal is to generate baseline information so we can work together to improve the local business climate and help local businesses succeed.

Introduction

Methodology

• The survey was conducted by a third party research firm, PRA Inc. under the guidance of MNP and the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce.

• The survey sample includes 200 business leaders based off a list of over 700 Chamber Members.

• Telephone interviews were conducted between November 19th – December 2nd, 2015.

Methodology

• Respondents included: business owners, CEOs, presidents, executive directors and designated senior corporate officers from businesses across all industry sectors in the Lethbridge Region.

• 39% of the businesses PRA spoke to participated in the survey, which is a high response rate.

• Results will be posted on the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and MNP Lethbridge websites as well as shared on LinkedIn.

Methodology

Profile of Survey ParticipantsRespondents by industry

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and huntingConstruction

ManufacturingRetail trade

Finance and insuranceReal estate, rental and leasing

Health care and social assistanceAccommodation and food services

Non-profits / church / charitiesTourism

Atrs, entertainment and recreation

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12%

6.5%6.0%

6.5%10.0%

5.5%3.5%

9.5%5.0%

9.0%1.5%

4.0%

Results

Business ChallengesHas the current global economic situation affected your business?

No48%

Un-sure2.5% Yes

49.5%

Business ChallengesHow has the global economic situation affected your business? (top responses)

Fewer jobs

Beneficial effect

Fewer customers

Increased costs

Less money to spend

Lower sales / reduced revenues

Business slowed / declined

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

6.1%

10.1%

12.1%

12.1%

12.1%

19.2%

21.2%

* Respondents could provide more than one answer; totals may sum to more than 100%

Business Performance - EmploymentIn the past 12 months, has the number of people you employ increased, decreased or remained the same?

Increased26%

Remained the same56.5%

De-creased

17%Unsure0.5%

Business Performance - CapitalIn the past 12 months, would you say capital investments into your business have increased, decreased or remained the same?

Stayed the Same

50.5%

Increased 27%

De-creased

16%

Unsure 6.5%

Business ChallengesThinking about Lethbridge and the economy in general, what is your greatest concern in the coming year? (top answers)

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

9.0%

10.5% 11.0%12.0%

12.5%

Business ChallengesWhich is the greatest challenge facing your company for the next 12 months? (top answers)

Increase in minimum wage

Marketing / branding

Consumer spending

Growing the company

Maintaining client base, revenue and sales

Skills shortage

Uncertain economic climate

Hiring and retaining good staff

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12%

5.0%

5.0%

5.5%

6.0%

9.5%

10.0%

10.0%

11.0%

** Respondents could provide more than one answer; totals may sum to more than 100%

Attitude on Government PerformanceWould you say the (Government) has been doing an excellent job, a good job, only a fair job, or a poor job in terms of creating a good climate for business?

Municipal Government Provincial Government Federal Government0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

7.0%

2.5%4.5%

40.0%

17.5%15.5%

33.0%

20.5% 20.0%

8.0%

43.0%

19.5%

0.35

Excellent Good Fair Poor Too Early

Business Climate CompetitivenessHow much do you agree that Alberta’s business climate is competitive with other provinces?

1 - Strongly Disagree

2 3 4 5 - Strongly Agree

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

2.5%

8.0%

26.0%

36.5%

22.0%

Local Government FeedbackHow much do you agree that Lethbridge’s overall image is steadily improving?

1 - Strongly Disagree

2 3 4 5 - Strongly Agree

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

50.0%

0.5%

6.0%

27.0%

44.0%

18.5%

Local Government FeedbackIn terms of marketing Lethbridge as a good place to do business, how is the City of Lethbridge doing?

Poor Fair Good Excellent0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

7.0%

27.5%

40.0%

6.0%

*Respondents could provide more than one answer; totals may sum to more than 100%

Local Government FeedbackWhat is the one thing you would tell the City of Lethbridge they should do to improve the business climate here in Lethbridge? (top responses)

Improve city man-agement and policies

Support small, local businesses

Tax incentives and business grants

Continue as they are Unsure0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

7.0%

9.5%

14.0%15.0%

22.5%

*Respondents could provide more than one answer; totals may sum to more than 100%

Economic SuccessesWhat are three of the best economic successes or initiatives that have occurred in the Lethbridge area (top answers).

Supporting post-secondary

Nothing New businesses Hi-tech initiatives0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

14.0%

16.0%

9.0% 9.0%

Business Outlook – Finance Thinking about 12 months from now, financially do you expect your company to be performing better, about the same, or worse?

Better46.0%

Same 42.0%

Worse9.5%

Unsure2.5%

Lethbridge Chamber of CommerceThinking about why you joined the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, how well has the Chamber met your expectations?

1 - Did not m

eet exp

ectations 2

3 - Met e

xpecta

tions 4

5 - Exce

eded expecta

tions0.0%5.0%

10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%

4.0% 4.5%

28.5%

42.5%

13.5%

Lethbridge Chamber of CommerceThe Chamber is involved in a range of areas (e.g. government issues, workforce training, aboriginal opportunities, mentorship and economic development). How important is it that the Chamber is involved in these areas?

1 - Not at all important 2 3 4 5 - Very important0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

50.0%

1.0% 2.0%

12.5%

39.0% 43.5%

SummaryBusiness community is cautiously optimistic

• 46% optimistic of business growth in 2016• Government at Municipal level is doing GOOD

vs. Provincial level doing POORLY• Local business climate is competitive with

other regions, but room to improve• 40% of respondents say the image of the

community as a place to do business is GOOD

• Business challenges for 2016:- Hiring and retaining good employees- Uncertain economic climate- Skills shortage - Maintaining business growth and expansion