Business survey underway

Details

Published on Friday, February 6, 2015

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson

The Neepawa Banner

The Town of Neepawa and the Neepawa and District Chamber of Commerce are looking to better understand the needs and challenges of area businesses. To achieve this end, the two have partnered on a short online survey they are asking business owners to complete. 

Town of Neepawa economic development officer Marilyn Crewe explains, “We’re trying to get a sense of where [local businesses] are at.” The questions include number of years in business, the number of employees, business plans for the near future, primary market as well as the primary challenges faced by the business.  The survey also asks business owners if they are looking for help or training in areas such as access to capital, marketing or sales, business or succession planning, social media, customer service or any other area. Crewe said that if there is demand for certain types of information, the Chamber will look at organizing training or informational sessions. 

While the survey is a Chamber initiative, Crewe stresses that it is open to all area businesses, from individuals doing part time direct selling to large corporations.  “It’s open to anyone finding a way to earn income,” said Crewe.

While the survey is designed to help the Chamber gauge the needs of area businesses and target their programs, Crewe said it will also hopefully serve as a starting point to gather more information. She adds that surveys such as this one are a way for small businesses to have a voice.

While not a primary motivation behind the survey, Crewe said that the answers could lead to something that the Town will take on. “We want to make sure that the Town is business-friendly… We have to start with the businesses we have and support them,” she said.

The survey will be available until Feb. 27 and can be found at  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LL2WC5Y.