MNP Business Leaders Survey
Cowichan Region 2016
Presented by:
Presented by:
Date:
Agenda
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Introduction
Research Methodology
Profile of Survey Participants
Results
Panel Discussion & Questions
Page 2
Introduction
• Modelled after similar surveys conducted by MNP across Canada.
• Short pulse survey designed to provide an economic snapshot of the
local business community and opinions on key local issues.
• Developed in partnership with the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of
Commerce and Community Futures Cowichan.
• Goal is to generate baseline information so we can work together to
improve the local business climate and help local businesses succeed.
Page 3
Methodology
Page 4
Methodology
• The survey was conducted by a third-party market research firm,
PRA Inc. under the guidance of MNP, the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of
Commerce and Community Future Cowichan.
• In total, 704 businesses were contacted, 356 were reached and 202
business leaders completed the survey.
• Respondents included: business owners, CEOs, presidents, executive
directors and designated senior corporate officers from businesses
across all industry sectors in the Cowichan Region.
• Telephone interviews were conducted between January 13-26, 2016.
Page 5
Methodology
• Of the 202 respondents, 167 were Chamber members and 35 were
randomly selected from other businesses.
• 40% of the businesses we spoke to participated in the survey, which is a
very high response rate.
• Results will be posted on the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce
Community Futures Cowichan and MNP Duncan websites.
Page 6
Profile of Survey Participants
Where is your business located?
Municipality of
North Cowichan
30.1%
City of Duncan
44.6%
CVRD Areas
21.9%
Town of Lake
Cowichan
0.5%
Town of
Ladysmith
1.0%
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Profile of Survey Participants
How many years has your company been in business?
11 to 25 yrs
20.3
26 to 49 yrs
22.8%
4 to 10 yrs
29.7%
50 yrs or more
12.4%
Don't know / no
response
1.5%
3 yrs or less
13.4%
Page 8
Respondents by Number of Employees
Survey Sample
CVRD (BC Stats 2014)
57.6%
49.5%
18.5%
20.9%
11.5% 11.9%
12.5%
6.6%
1 to 4
5 to 9
10 to 19
20 to 49
4.5%
2.5%
50 to 99
2.0% 0.4%
200 plus Page 9
Respondents by Industry
Survey Sample
CVRD (BC Stats 2014)
4.0%
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting
7.2%
7.4%
Construction
15.2%
5.9%
Health Care & Social Assistance
9.9%
13.9%
Accommodation & Food Services
6.5%
7.9%
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
2.0%
5.9%
Finance & Insurance
3.0%
18.8%
Retail Trade
*Tourism
14.0%
5.9%
0.0%
Page 10
Results
Page 11
Business Performance - Financial
Compared to 12 months ago, how would you describe the financial
performance of your company today?
Same
32.2%
Better
54.0%
Don't know /
no response
2.5%
Worse
11.4%
Page 12
Business Performance - Employment
In the past 12 months, has the number of people you employ increased,
decreased or remained the same?
Don't know /
no response
1.5%
Remained
the same
59.9%
Increased
29.2%
Decreased
9.4%
Page 13
Business Performance - Capital
In the past 12 months, would you say capital investments into your
business have increased, decreased or remained the same?
Don't know /
no response
6.4%
Stayed the same
56.4%
Increased
30.7%
Decreased
6.4%
Page 14
Business Challenges - Limitations
Is your business limited by:
Transportation / shipping costs
39.1%
The image of the community
35.1%
Provincial government regulation
32.7%
Local government approval processes /
inspections
Lack of skilled labour
Access to capital
20.0%
32.2%
29.2%
28.2%
40.0%
Page 15
Business Challenges - Greatest
What is the greatest challenge facing your company in the next 12
months?
Skills shortage
12.4%
Managing growth / expansion
10.4%
Maintaining client base / revenue / sales / profits
9.4%
Exchange rate
6.9%
Marketing / branding / promotion
6.9%
Rising operation costs
Uncertain economic climate / stability
Cash flow
6.4%
5.9%
5.4%
Page 16
Business Challenges - Succession
Does your company have a succession plan?
Yes
36.6%
No
56.9%
Don't Know /
No Response
6.4%
Page 17
Attitude on Government Performance
Would you say the Federal Government has been doing a poor job, only
a fair job, a good job or an excellent job in terms of creating a good
climate for business?
50.0%
40.0%
31.2%
29.2%
30.0%
18.3%
20.0%
11.9%
8.9%
10.0%
0.5%
0.0%
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Don't Know / Too Early to
No Response
Tell Page 18
Attitude on Government Performance
Would you say the Provincial Government has been doing a poor job,
only a fair job, a good job or an excellent job in terms of creating a good
climate for business?
50.0%
45.0%
40.0%
30.0%
23.3%
21.8%
20.0%
7.9%
10.0%
2.0%
0.0%
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Don't Know / No
ResponsePage 19
Attitude on Government Performance
Would you say the Local Government has been doing a poor job, only a
fair job, a good job or an excellent job in terms of creating a good climate
for business?
50.0%
40.0%
33.7%
31.7%
30.0%
21.8%
20.0%
8.4%
10.0%
4.5%
0.0%
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Don't Know / No
ResponsePage 20
Business Climate Competitiveness
How much do you agree that the Cowichan Region’s business climate is competitive with other regions on Vancouver Island?
33.2%
26.7%
14.9%
9.9%
9.4%
5.9%
1 - Strongly
disagree
2
3
4
5 - Strongly Don't know / no
agree
responsePage 21
Local Government Feedback
What is the one thing you would tell the local government they should do
to improve the business climate here in the Cowichan Region? (Top 5)
Reduce red tape / easier to deal with (more
permits / better zoning / planning department)
15.3%
Increase or diversify marketing / promotion of
Duncan / Cowichan (attract tourists / customers)
11.4%
Improve management / policies / services (incl.
spending / costs)
Encourage new investments / industries /
business developments
Nothing / continue as they are
10.9%
9.9%
8.4%
Page 22
Local Government Feedback
From a business perspective, do you generally support or oppose the idea of
amalgamating the City of Duncan and the Municipality of North Cowichan?
Support
72.3%
Oppose
10.9%
Indifferent /
Don't Care
7.9%
Don't Know /
No Response
8.9%
Page 23
Economic Successes
What are three of the best economic successes or initiatives that have
occurred in the Cowichan Region? (Top Responses)
Local agriculture, food and culinary sector
10.9%
Wine industry development and wine tours
8.4%
Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre
8.4%
Local parks and trail development
7.9%
Roads / Infrastructure
5.4%
Sunfest Music Festival
5.4%
Vancouver Island University Campus
5.0%
Page 24
Economic Development Priorities
From a business perspective, what would you advise should be the top
priorities for economic development in the Cowichan Region? (Top 6)
Market the Cowichan Region as a tourism
destination
28.2%
Improve local infrastructure and/or business
services
16.8%
Build / expand tourism infrastructure (hotels /
attractions / natural beauty)
Improve community services and livability
(housing / education / seniors / amenities)
Attract businesses to relocate to the Cowichan
Region / create employment
Support the growth of existing businesses /
promote local businesses
13.9%
11.4%
9.9%
8.4%
Page 25
Business Outlook - Finance
Thinking about 12 months from now, financially do you expect your
company to be performing better, about the same, or worse?
Better
62.4%
Same
32.2%
Don't know /
no response
3.0%
Worse
2.5%
Page 26
Business Outlook - Employment
Thinking about 12 months from now, do you expect the number of people
employed by your business to increase, decrease or remain the same?
Don't know /
no response
1.5%
Remain the
same
54.5%
Increase
41.1%
Decrease
3.0%
Page 27
Business Outlook - Capital
In the next 3 years, would you expect your capital investment into your
business to increase, decrease or remain the same?
Decrease
5.4%
Stay the same
41.6%
Increase
48.5%
Don't know /
no response
4.5%
Page 28
Business Outlook - Capital
Why do you expect capital investments to increase, decrease or stay the
same in the next three years?
Business growth / expansion
16.6%
No need / set up at this point
13.0%
No plans to change / no serious expenditure
required
8.3%
Optimism - product / services will be in
demand / growth approach
8.3%
Purchase new machinery / equipment /
vehicles
6.2%
Necessary repairs / upkeep / upgrades /
renovations
6.2%
Page 29
Summary
Cowichan business community is cautiously optimistic
• 62% optimistic of business growth in 2016
• Local business climate is competitive with other
Island regions, but still room to improve
• Feedback to local government: cut the red tape
• Key business challenges for 2016
– Skills shortage
– Transportation / shipping costs
– Managing business growth and expansion
• 57% of respondents do not have a succession plan
• 35% of respondents say the image of the
community is limiting business growth
Page 30
Meet the Panel
• Cathy Robertson, General Manager, Community Futures Cowichan
• Randy Bertsch, President, Islands Savings
• Janet Docherty, Owner, Merridale Ciderworks
• Scott McKay, General Manager, Pro Mac Manufacturing Ltd.
Page 31
Page 32
MNP Business Leaders Survey
For a full copy of today’s presentation:
www.MNP.ca/leaders
www.duncancc.bc.ca
www.cfcowichan.ca
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