ACCE 2003 Survey of Business Development Professionals

Transcription

1 ACCE 2003 Survey of Business Development Professionals Survey results of services chambers provide small businesses, community partners, trends, and more. Is your chamber directly involved in recruiting new businesses to your area? Yes 66% What percentage of your business development/services budget is derived from government funding or grants? None 55% Less than 5% 14% More than 20% 14% 6-10% 10% 11-20% 7% What products, programs, or services do you provide based on government or grant funding? Please check all that apply. N/A 35% Other (specify below) 17% Educational seminars 17% 1:1 counseling (existing busin... 17% Pre-start-up assistance (business pla... 16% Procurement assistance 9% Loan assistance 7%

2 Please list products & services your chamber provides to small businesses, outside of any government or grant funding: Advertising opportunities 74 Ribbon cuttings 71 Education/seminars 70 Relocation information 68 Awards & recognition (small business) 66 Business issues advocacy 65 Business-to-business tradeshow 60 Community indicators report - factors Certificates of origin 54 Packaged economic/demographic data, etc. 53 Custom research (economic/demographic, etc) 49 Affinity programs 47 One-on-one counseling 38 Industry-specific (I.e, mfg.) 35 Member-to-member discount program 32 Book store or resource library 31 CEO roundtable 31 Employment services (NationJob, other) 20 Women's business council 19 Minority business council 17 Minority business directory 15 Entrepreneur roundtable 14 Customized mapping and data (GIS) 13 Drug-free workplace program 12 Home-based business services 11 Business incubator program 9 Business-to-business online marketplace 8 % of chambers that offer these services

3 What other services does your chamber provide to small businesses? Sponsorship opportunities for festivals and events. networking opportunities, quarterly breakfasts, auctions, Business After Hours compensation survey, leadership training, career exploration activities for high school students. Our organization is strictly a industrial development organization networking opportunities Issues Roundtables - hot topics pertaining to businesses. Breakfast Programs and Business before business. we have a business development committee that surveys companies each year to determine trends. the information is then forwarded to the proper decision-making authority. We act as an information resource working to provide contacts in all possible areas. If we don't have the information we can direct them to where the information is available. Chamber Buck$ program (keeping $$ local) Online Human Resource information through Ceridian. networking events, outreach to veterans, outreach to women s groups, outreach to surrounding counties, collaborate with private and public partners to offer services

4 What other services does your chamber provide to small businesses? (Continued) all that are needed health & dental insurance, energy discounts, other trade shows, networking events, rfp's online, referral program, SATOP We have a networking opportunity the last Friday of every month called Branson Business Connection or BBC as well as Business After Hours at least once a month. Multiple networking opportunities to enhance their visibility Promotion, access to elected officials,community calendar (in first qtr 04) Business Resource Guide (start-up resources), on-line directory of members,networking events, In depth business education(fasttrac) Connecting large companies to smaller firms Small Business Advisory Council, Networking programs including Mixers, Breakfast programs, Business to Business (B2B) Networking Event, Golf Tournament behind the business forums Public Trade Show Workforce Development Opportunities free job listing on the web site We attend regional job fairs on behalf of members and take their job/promotional literature to hand out

5 What other services does your chamber provide to small businesses? (Continued) Loan Fund Networking opportunities, committee participation, event participation and sponsorship Networking opportunities Procurement opportunities, Venture Capital Fund, job fairs Monthly business where they (the member) gets an opportunity to talk about their business. We literally pass the microphone from one member to the next. At this we also announce other chamber opportunities and businesses have the opportunity to donate a door prize to further promote their business. We also do a quarterly leadership luncheon where members come to hear from a leader (such as an elected official) who has information that may effect the way they do business. We also bring in our largest employers to present to our membership what is happening that might effect the local economy. We have a lot of state employees here. Loan Fund for Minority and Women Owned Business promotion/publicity networking referrals A forum that connects fast growth entrepreneurs to local investors. International Trade programs. A business resource directory Local certification for minority businesses; Buyer/Supplier Information Exchange Event for minorities.

6 What is the web page address (URL) of your small business service/program home page? Please include job websites or other specialized websites. (Continued)

7 What is (are) the biggest trend(s) you see impacting how you manage or plan your small business development activities within the next few years? Expertise to counsel on the myriad of issues facing small business The influx of vendors/suppliers to the region. While the new construction for vendor space is great, we still are lagging in our recruitment of sales tax generators. Our greatest challenge has been retaining small businesses as members of our Chamber. That will directly impact the programs I am able to offer. revenue generation being able to engage the small business owners who say they don't have time or the financial resources to participate in programs, and haven't jumped onto the information superhighway, etc. stock market fluctuating Internal budgeting challenges. Staff time issues. A focus on attracting entrepreneurial businesses to the area. Demand on small business owner's time will increase and further remove them from traditional Chamber activities. focus on big business Finding the right time - all of our small business owners are very busy. Our businesses are concerned about the rising costs of insurance, the red tape invvolved in starting a business in our community and the lack of skilled workers.

8 What is (are) the biggest trend(s) you see impacting how you manage or plan your small business development activities within the next few years? (Continued) volunteer manpower, funding growth small businesses being acquired/merged with larger companies than have little or no interest in the local community loss of manufacturing jobs due to China Escalating salaries/competition for qualified workforce. Small business training needs. We will survey the membership as to what services/training they would like for us to offer that we do not currently. We will take our direction from the information we receive via survey AND from our "CEO" luncheons. We are just now starting to offer business-minded seminars, so we are still doing a lot of leg work to figure out what our members need and want most. taxes finding good trainable employees offering small businesses the chance to market themselves inadequate funding for the demand impact of technology on how we interface with our members and how they interface with their customers

9 What is (are) the biggest trend(s) you see impacting how you manage or plan your small business development activities within the next few years? (Continued) business needs are greater,larger companies disappearing rising health insurance cost - trying to provide alternate solutions, solutions/programs to improve job force and job market, solutions/programs to address gen x issues, continued increased burdens of taxes on small businesses, continuing need to become an honest broker of technology advice The economy affects the budget! Businesses have been in 2003, here today and gone tomorrow. Managing costs and offering unique programs that help small businesses to fundamental grow their business. shrinking resources; business retention (due to inhospitable state issues); funding Personalization/customized one to one services tightening of budget, trend toward more home based businesses Limited resources, need to focus on niche markets i.e. growth businesses, etc. Small business owners are becoming more active and agressive in this tight economy. They are more vocal about what they would like to see out of the Chamber. Skilled Workforce and Health Cost Increase cost of Workers Comp.

10 What is (are) the biggest trend(s) you see impacting how you manage or plan your small business development activities within the next few years? (Continued) We define small business as less than 5-10 employees, which represents 80% of our membership, health insurance is a huge factor in keeping these buisinesses solvent The number of home businesses. Increasing number of home based businesses. Avances in Communications Technology. Tougher to get our small businesses to "engage" with us... not necessarily to come to a meeting, but even to answer a survey, respond to an , or comment on a planned product or service. Often we are trying to provide services to a large group based on the input of a very small subset. Financing, health care, workforce training increasing competition for customized training Economy and economic recovery Business people have less time to come to ANYTHING! Competition for resources Competition from other orgnaizations. we need to be better prepared to support the entrepreneur. We tend to focus too much on the established business manager.

11 What is (are) the biggest trend(s) you see impacting how you manage or plan your small business development activities within the next few years? (Continued) Identification of new sources of revenue to meet the needs of programming for our smaller members. Learning to deal with start-up companies and how to provide Chamber services to them. Competitive pressure from "Big Box" retailers and "Life Style" Open-Air Malls. Many business owners are reaching retirement age without having implemented an exit strategy. Seeking zoning changes and economic development support for small businesses willing to establish in Urban environment Collaborating with other partners to create win-win combinations for our members. Interest, budget, member and staff time availability, focus Lack of planning (business plan) and undercapitalization More demand to not only run programs but focus on directing economic development in the area. Note: This applies to business development in general-not just small companies Time sensitivity of customer Communication through technology Increase in minority population Significant increase in ethnic, racial, and gender minority owned businesses. "Mainstreaming" essential for small business success. Lack of funding for business start-up assistance and services for developing businesses.

12 What is (are) the biggest trend(s) you see impacting how you manage or plan your small business development activities within the next few years? (Continued) Small businesses owners/managers are doing less with more - just like us. Their time is becoming their most valuable asset. They don't have time to participate in Chamber activities. They are continually evaluating their ROI for their membership dues. Impact of time upon the owners of businesses.

13 What are you doing to address the trend(s)? Coordinating with service providers in the area to address need. Targeted marketing to such businesses. Possibly forming a minority business council; offering member to member benefits; buy local campaign; etc. training seminars, recognition programs this is something we'll be addressing in our 2004 planning. need a new President Looking for ways to increase our non-dues income. Securing sponsorships. Developing a Business Resource Center Offering more extensive entrepreneurial programs/seminars Investigating a CEO Mentoring/Board concept for new businesses Developing new two-way communication methods. trying to express to our board that the little guys neeed our assiatnce as well We vary the time we offer seminars. Offer Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance as an affinity program but are constantly looking for other membership services. We are working with the schools at all levels including secondary, technical colleges and universities to identfy how to have a better prepared workforce.

14 What are you doing to address the trend(s)? (Continued) Government involvement and associated with Small Business Development in the area. trying to engage multiple levels within company to secure ongoing relationships Developing small business "business advisory councils". Helping adapt available training programs and supporting funding for smaller businesses. (see above) Surveys, phone calls, one-on-one meetings. Taxes - we continue to watch and work with our local and state government on expenses, while also watching out for increased fees. Good Trainable employees - We are currently undertaking a revamping of our 10 year old Business/Education program. Our thought is to tailor our efforts to the industries we either have now in the community or anticipate having. We need to find a way to market our businesses, their opportunities and needs to our students and graduates and find the cream of the crop to take those jobs. Marketing - we continue to work on co-op programs with small businesses to reflect the change in our community of brand new BIG business coming in and the older small businesses don't know how to market to get their share of new traffic plus the traditional business expos and networking events strategic planning based on needs analysis and evaluating self funding opportunities

15 What are you doing to address the trend(s)? (Continued) constantly updating our communication tools providing more service to business seminars & education about providing benefits plans & competitive salary rates, seminars & education about gen x, muscle more influence in the local governemnt, very creative programs to introduce technology "Technology Playground" Looking for new non-dues revenue opportunities. Praying for a reverse in economic trends; the region we are in is on the upswing and communication opportunities has been our best tool to enhance our worth to the small business owner. Too, we are very accesible to listen and share resources with these folks. Strategic partnerships (universities and other professional associations) evaluating new income sources; strongly advocating for regulatory reform on business issues; budget re-evaluation Move more information/services electronically marketing our programs more effectively Developing programs that fit specific needs i.e. FastTrac Tech a comprehensive business feasibility and planning course for tech based businesses.

16 What are you doing to address the trend(s)? (Continued) Reactivated our Small Business Advisory Council who is currently exploring the needs of small businesses and will in turn provide input on program development and future services the Chamber offers. We have different committees addressing these issues along with working with elected officials. It is a difficult task, we are looking at association plans, community helth centers continuously surveying members and implementing new programs and eliminating old as needed. We are holding more "small group forums" (both in person and via ) targeted at specific industry groups or geographic sectors. Even though these groups may be small, in aggregate they give us valuable insights into needs and concerns. Partnering with College and Texas Workforce Commission to address workforce issues. Creating a Finance Division with in the local banks for low income financing. Keeping our programs low-cost and "introductory" Everything we do addresses the trends. Make our programs cleaner, tighter and more on point. Becoming as visible as possible in business community

17 What are you doing to address the trend(s)? (Continued) The establishment of a cooperative program with our area small business development center to better assist in assuring long term success. Constantly looking for new service niches Trying to understand the needs at this point. Focus more Chamber programming on small businesses. Building partnerships with similar minded organizations to provide training and incentives. Building alliances Ask about and understand our members needs and interests; study local, regional, national trends and publications; learn from our colleagues in the Chamber profession Offering a business plan writing service and workshops on financing and sources of capital. We need direction in this area. Formed an economic development council. Plan focusing on challenges and trends and utilize members with expertise in these areas; joint sponsorships. "Outreaches" to specific small business groups; e.g., Black Business Outreach and Hispanic Business Outreach are current outreaches. Women Business Outreach and Asian Pacific Business Outreach will be started in 2004.

18 What are you doing to address the trend(s)? (Continued) Looking at various grant programs through ACCE or federal programs focused on community developemnt. Investing their money wisely and creating programs that will, hopefully, address real needs for them Be more efficient in our programming and run programs at multiple times.

19 What other small business service providers in your community do you work with most closely? Choice % University or college 68% City, county, or state government offices 66% Other chambers or business organizations 61% SBA - US Small Business Administration 58% Banks or other lenders 57% SCORE - Service Corps of Retired Executives 53% SBTDC - Small Business & Technology Development Centers 40% Other, please specify: 22%

20 What other small business service providers in your community do you work with most closely? - Other, please specify: private - for profit inustrial development organizatin Job Corps, Other service/non-profit organizations private sector businesses and associations There are many associations in our community, Branson Theatre Association, Branson/Lakes Area Lodging Association, etc. National Entrepreneural Center Minority Business Development Center and CPAs Incubator, Angel group, etc Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Regional economic development agency Small Business Development Center at our local univeristy, our local vo-tech school, the local workforce dev. center

21 What other service providers in your community or nationally would you like to work with more closely? Workforce Development Local high school vocational training courses The Town and county economic developers. Trusts and Foundations which can assist with direction and funding so that staffing can be adequate to cover all of our unmet needs in small business development. University of Illinois Extension CAP Services I'm not aware of what is out there, so I cannot comment. those who truly can help our business community Technology Development Center National book publishers Unknown SBDC, trade associations, capital networks (venture, angel networks etc.) I'd like to know what the various small business associations (both industry specific and NFIB-like) are focusing on... what are their issues... I think we very often could be augmenting their efforts and demonstrating to our membership that we are the "focal point" for action.

22 Describe the most innovative program or approach to small business development you ve heard of recently (optional): Targeting young professionals with specific networking functions and activities. The concept of a "mentoring" board for new businesses is a great way to for businesses to get up to speed and avoid startup potholes! Mentoring by large industry - the advertising expert from the large business helps the small business owner(s) plan promotional campaigns including budgeting. use of broadcast groups circulated to like positions in different companies - they network and problem-solve on a topic specific to their level in the company. Hitachi/Goodwill initiative for small business workforce retention and advancement. I think the "CEO" or "12@12" luncheons are a great way to get feedback from small business members - as long as the luncheon includes representatives from the chamber board and city council. I like the incubator idea, it sounds like a great approach to increasing and showing support for the local business community. Our state government's Prosperity Summit which is looking at the state and regions in the state to address ways to get our economy moving again Affordable leadership training for growth businesses personalized service

23 Describe the most innovative program or approach to small business development you ve heard of recently (optional): (Continued) Our World Class Author Lecture Series - enabling us to avoid speaking fees with authors on book tours. Recently, we have secured Tom Peters and Doug Hall to speak to our members. Professional Consultants Program Our SBTDC just opened a business incubator that seems to be filling a pent-up demand...also, we have a quasi-governmental micro-business loan program for women or minority-owned businesses that fills another niche need. Creating a Retail Sales Development Program using the same tools as you would to fund a Manufacturing or Distribution Center. We're setting up a distance-learning computer in our office tied to the SBDC 20 miles away, to help clients in our community receive more convenient access to counseling. Cincinnati has a great Minority Business Development program that we have been watching for the past year. It was great to have Melvin Gravely on the ACCE Metro Chamber's program. small business roundtables on specific topics with discussion time and speaker on the topic. We just co-sponsored a local small business conference yesterday that was sponsored by our four local mayors, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and PartnerAmerica. 250 people attended this conference from the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

24 Describe the most innovative program or approach to small business development you ve heard of recently (optional): (Continued) Team Coaching - A team of business professionals (CPA, marketing expert, procurement expert, attorney) commit to coaching (mentoring) with a small business owner for one year. They meet a minimum of once per month. Georgia Women Entrepreneur Network (GWEN), sponsored by the University of Georgia/Business Outreach Services Small Business Development Center, Athena, GA The business incubator approach of the Athens Ohio Chamber with regard to nurturing new business ideas for manufacturing and the skilled trades. We have a strong business start-up program that provides a business with a complete well thought out business plan from which they can get a bank loan in most cases.