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For Immediate Release
Thursday, Sept. 15, 2010
NEWS RELEASE
CHAMBER SURVEY REVEALS BUSINESS LEADERS FOCUSED ON FINDING NEW CUSTOMERS
Sept. 16, 2010 – According to the president and CEO of The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, the results of a survey of business leaders show the significance of businesses continuing to look at increasing their productivity and exploring new markets as well as the importance of a competitive business environment.
“In the past, whenever we surveyed the business community, the number one challenge facing business leaders was always the shortage of workers,” said Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dave Angus. “There is no question that the recent recession has resulted in a change of focus for business owners now being on finding new markets and customers.”
According to the Winnipeg Business Leaders Survey, one in three (33 per cent) of business leaders cited increasing their customer base and competition as the greatest challenge facing their company over the next year. In past Chamber surveys the workforce shortage was always the number one issue for business – it now ranks fourth.
Angus adds that the results also show Winnipeg businesses were not immune from the economic recession as 43 per cent of business owners indicated that their profitability decreased over the last quarter of 2009. Those business leaders indicated that in dealing with the pressures of the economic recession, they focused on efficiencies, delaying discretionary spending and improving customer service.
“Business leaders also have a strong message for government as 42 per cent of business leaders don’t believe our business climate is competitive with other provinces,” Angus said. “In fact, one out of every two business leaders indicated the provincial government should lower taxes – in particular, the payroll tax - to improve the business climate in Manitoba.”
Angus concluded that 40 per cent of business owners indicated they have been either directly or indirectly impacted by a tightening up of credit over the past year and that almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of respondents believe there is a need for a provincial Venture Capital Fund to be established.
The Winnipeg Business Leaders Survey was conducted through a combination of online surveys and a survey of selected Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce members.
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Contact: Chuck Davidson – Vice President Policy
Tel: 944.3316 Cell: 782.1679 Email: cdavidson@winnipeg-chamber.com