Business Retention and Expansion - Town of Cochrane Public Engagement

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Supporting local businesses is a pillar of Cochrane’s Economic Development department. One of the most important aspects of supporting our local existing businesses is listening to their needs and concerns.

The goal of this project is to help our existing businesses grow. To do this, we are reaching out to a broad representation of businesses in our community. Through the survey, we hope to:

Develop a clearer picture of the number and types of businesses operating in our community
Gauge the workforce needs of our local businesses
Identify companies that are planning expansions and may qualify for business incentives or assistance
Anticipate and recognize any challenges that are threatening our local businesses
Create an open dialogue between our businesses

PROVIDE YOUR INPUT

In order to better understand and address the needs of local businesses, Cochrane Economic Development is asking business owners to please take a few moments to complete our Business Retention and Expansion Survey.

Check back for a What We Heard report in fall 2018.

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Which of the following best describes your business?*

Select all that apply

Locally owned and operated

Regional chain

National chain

Franchise

Home-based business

What is your primary role with your company?*

Select all that apply

Owner/Operator

CEO/President

Vice President

Primary Manager

Other?

If other, what?*

Write Here

Is your locally owned and operated business a: *

Select all that apply

Cooperative

Family business

Sole proprietorship

Partnership

For-profit corporation

Non-profit corporation

We are not locally owned and operated

Which of the following categories best describes your businesses primary industry?*

Please select from dropdown list

If other, what?*

Write Here

How long has your business been operational?*

Less than 1 year

1-3 years

4-6 years

6-9 years

10-20 years

20+ years

What is the busiest time of year for your business?*

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

What three (3) types of advertising you use the most?*

Please select three

Yellow pages

Daily newspaper

Weekly newspaper

Radio

Billboards

Direct mail

Visitor's guides

Magazines

Brochures/flyers/shopping bags

Social media

Google Adwords

Other?

If other, what?

Write Here

What is the main reason for choosing the advertising methods you use?*

Market research

Cost

Experience

Other?

If other, what?

Write Here

Are there any other advertising methods you would like to have available in Cochrane?

Write Here

Do you share advertising expenses with other businesses for the promotion of your business area?*

Yes

If you do share advertising expenses please check all the following efforts you support.*

Select all that apply

Cooperative advertising

Cooperative coupons

Promotions and special events

Other?

If other, what?

Write Here

How many employees currently work at this establishment?*

1 to 10

11 to 20

21 to 30

31 to 40

41 to 50

51 to 60

61 to 70

70 or more

Please estimate the percentage of your employees that live in the following areas.

Using the slider, please choose the appropriate percentage.

Cochrane*

Rocky View County*

Calgary*

Other*

What is your current employment hiring state?*

Increasing workforce

Downsizing

Stable

What resources are you currently using to attract new employees?*

Select all that apply

Ad in local Cochrane papers

Ad in Calgary papers

Local job fair

Private search firms

Referrals from existing employees

Temp agency (Rockyview Employment Services)

Online services

Help wanted sign in window

Unsolicited resumes

None

Other?

If other, what?

Write Here

Is your company experiencing difficulties in recruiting employees with adequate skills?*

Yes

I don't know

What types of general skills training do your current employees need?*

Select all that apply

Basic math

Reading and writing

Interpersonal communications

Basic accounting

Customer service

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Specialized equipment operations

None

Other?

If other, what?

Write Here

What types of managerial skills training do your current employees need?*

Select all that apply

Financial Management

Record keeping

Inventory control

Business planning

Employee management

None

Other?

Other? Please tell us what:

Write Here

What types of professional skills training do your current employees need?*

Select all that apply

Sales

Marketing

Customer service

None

Other?

Other? Please tell us what:

Write Here

What types of computer skills training do your current employees need?*

Select all that apply

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Computer-aided design

Graphic design and layout

Database management

Computer system installation and maintenance

Computer programming

None

Other?

Other? Please tell us what:

Write Here

What specialized medical skills do your employees need, if any?

Write Here

What other specialized skills or specialized equipment skills training do your current employees need?

Write Here

How do you currently train your employees?*

Select all that apply

Do not provide any employee training

Self-taught (manuals, videos, training materials)

In-house training (one-on-one by supervisor or co-worker, training department classes, etc.)

Send employees to workshops

Contract with private vendors

Contract with public vendors (technical colleges, etc.)

On-the-job training (a government supported program)

Apprenticeships

Distance learning (correspondence, online, TV)

None of the above

Other?

Other? Please tell us what:

Write Here

Do you own or lease the location of your business?*

Own

Lease

Is this the preferred method of securing space for your business?*

Yes

Does your company operate from a facility that requires upgrades or modifications?*

Yes

I don't know

Are you considering moving, selling or closing this business?*

Considering moving

Considering selling

Considering closing

What conditions influence your decision regarding moving, closing, or selling?*

Select all that apply

Market conditions

Overcrowded building or space

Transportation problems

Crime or vandalism

Unavailability of workers

Environmental concerns

Building code problems

High local taxes

High provincial taxes

Lease expiration

Other?

Other? Please tell us what:

Write Here

What percentage of raw materials, supplies, goods and services does your business purchase in Cochrane to run your business?*

None

1%-25%

26%-50%

51%-75%

76%-100%

Don’t know

What barriers are preventing your business from purchasing raw materials, supplies, goods and services in Cochrane?*

Select all that apply

Availability

Cost/Price

Existing supplier contract outside of Cochrane

None/No barriers

Don’t know

Other?

Other? Please tell us what:

Write Here

Are there any additional industries, support services or amenities you feel are needed in Cochrane?

Write Here

What overall grade would you give the community as a place to do business?

In the last three years, did Cochrane’s business climate get stronger, weaker or stay the same?*

Got stronger

Got weaker

Stayed the same

In the next three years, will Cochrane’s business climate get stronger, weaker or stay the same?*

Got stronger

Got weaker

Stay the same

Is your business a member of any of the following community organizations? *

Select all that apply

Cochrane Chamber of Commerce

Cochrane Business Network

Economic Development Newsletter

Cochrane Tourism

None

Other?

Other? Please tell us what:

Write Here

What do you believe are the biggest issues facing Cochrane’s economy?*

Select all that apply

Cochrane’s rapid growth

Infrastructure (roads, water, etc.)

Customer leakage to outside of Cochrane

The Town of Cochrane permit process and policies

Other?

Other? Please tell us what:

Write Here

What do you believe are the biggest issues facing Cochrane’s businesses?*

Select all that apply

Availability of retail/office/commercial/industrial space

Cost of retail/office/commercial/industrial space

Taxes

Availability of Labour

Appropriate and/or affordable Housing options for work force

Other?

Other? Please tell us what:

Write Here

What is the most significant thing the Town could do to help improve your business activity?

Write Here

Do you find that business and economic assistance is readily available to you? *

Yes

I don't know

If no, do you have any suggestions on how to make improvements?

Write Here

Is there a question you think we should have asked that was not included in this survey?

Write Here

Can the Economic Development office contact your company to assist with staying and growing in Cochrane?*

Yes

Name

Company name

Write Here

Phone

Email Address

Thank you for completing our survey.

Please click SUBMIT at the bottom of the page.

Your form has been submitted

Thank you for taking our survey. Please check back for updates on this project and other opportunities to participate.

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Timeline

Project Kickoff
June 2018
Survey closes
September 2018
Analyze data
October 2018
Report to Council
November 2018

ABOUT THE PROJECT

PROVIDE YOUR INPUT

Please estimate the percentage of your employees that live in the following areas.

Thank you for completing our survey.

Your form has been submitted

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