Yuba City Business Survey

http://www.yubacity.net/

The City of Yuba City is working to improve shopping and better serve businesses in the Yuba Sutter area. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. If you are in a hurry, answer as many questions as you can. All information will be kept confidential. Information collected in the survey will be used only in the aggregate. Deadline: November 23, 2009.

1. What is the nature of your business?

What is the nature of your business? Construction Farming/Ranching Finance/Insurance/Real Estate Manufacturing Personal Services (EX: hair salon)	Professional Services (EX: attorney) Public administration Restaurant Retail Transportation/Utilities
Other (please specify)

2. How long have you been operating this business in the Yuba Sutter area?

How long have you been operating this business in the Yuba Sutter area? Less than 1 year

1-4 years

5-9 years

10 years or more

3. How many employees do you currently operate with?

How many employees do you currently operate with? Full Time Equivalent

4. What are the primary occupations affiliated with your business and what skills needed for these jobs? (please name up to 3 jobs and skillsets).

What are the primary occupations affiliated with your business and what skills needed for these jobs? (please name up to 3 jobs and skillsets).

5. Name up to 3 advantages or strengths you associate with doing business in the Yuba Sutter area.

Name up to 3 advantages or strengths you associate with doing business in the Yuba Sutter area. 1.
2.
3.

6. Please share any disadvantages (if any) to doing business in Yuba Sutter area.

Please share any disadvantages (if any) to doing business in Yuba Sutter area.

7. How would you characterize your current business’ activity level (i.e. last 12 months of operation)?

How would you characterize your current business’ activity level (i.e. last 12 months of operation)? Declining business activity (fewer clients, fewer sales, less income)

Holding our own (same level of business, fairly steady)

Business is moderately growing, increasing

Business is rapidly expanding

Please explain your response below by telling us what percent (%) business has changed?

Percentage (%) change:

8. Which description below best summarizes your business plans in the next one to two years?

Which description below best summarizes your business plans in the next one to two years? Plan to expand operations Plan to reduce operations No plans to change	Plan to sell business Plan to relocate Uncertain
Other (please specify)

9. Please share your estimated gross sales or revenues from your most recent fiscal year. Please be assured that this information will remain completely confidential.

Please share your estimated gross sales or revenues from your most recent fiscal year. Please be assured that this information will remain completely confidential.

10. Please check any type of investment or improvement you plan on making in the next one to two years.

Please check any type of investment or improvement you plan on making in the next one to two years. Physical improvements (store design/layout, interior or exterior remodeling) New/expanded products, services, inventory New/expanded marketing/promotional activities	New/additional employees Systems improvements None
Other (please specify)

11. In addition to a strong economy, what are the critical factors for the success and expansion of your business? (Check ALL that apply.)

In addition to a strong economy, what are the critical factors for the success and expansion of your business? (Check ALL that apply.) Qualified labor Tourism Current inventory Up-to-date equipment/technology	Financing Public access Foot traffic Addition of complementary businesses (please specify)
Other (please specify)

12. What are some of the major issues or obstacles facing your business today? (Please check the top 5 priority issues.)

What are some of the major issues or obstacles facing your business today? (Please check the top 5 priority issues.) Customer traffic (not enough/shrinking) Property improvements (facade, etc.) Cost of rent/property Availability of telecom services Cash flow/working capital General operating costs Outdated technology City/County/State codes or regulations	Skill level/preparation of employees Current economic conditions Payroll costs Competition Insurance costs Availability of employees Computer/technology issues
Other (please specify)

13. Please expand on any of your answers to Question 11. If you checked "City/County/State code or regulations," please be specific about the issues or obstacles.

Please expand on any of your answers to Question 11. If you checked "City/County/State code or regulations," please be specific about the issues or obstacles.

14. To keep your business healthy and competitive, which of the following types of information or assistance are important to your company’s growth? (Please check ALL that apply)

To keep your business healthy and competitive, which of the following types of information or assistance are important to your company’s growth? (Please check ALL that apply) Business expansion/relocation information Employee hiring/skills training Market identification Marketing/advertising programs Business planning and cash flow Using the Internet for e-commerce	Assistance with loan preparation Business management training Property and façade improvements Computer/technology assistance 'Lean' business practices & efficiencies
Other (please specify)

15. Are you familiar with and/or have you used the services of the Sutter County One Stop?

	Yes	No
Am familiar with One Stop	Are you familiar with and/or have you used the services of the Sutter County One Stop? Am familiar with One Stop Yes	No
Have used One Stop services	Have used One Stop services Yes	No

If you have used the services of another One Stop, please let us know or share comments.

16. Would you like to receive information about any of these Sutter County One Stop Services? (Please check all that apply.)

Would you like to receive information about any of these Sutter County One Stop Services? (Please check all that apply.) Employment Recruiting

On-the-Job Employee Training & Skill building

Layoff Assistance

Testing and Assessment Services

Labor Market Information

Labor Laws/Policy Information

17. Would you be interested in receiving information or serving as an employer training site for:

	Yes	No
Paid Work Experiences (at no cost to you)?	Would you be interested in receiving information or serving as an employer training site for: Paid Work Experiences (at no cost to you)? Yes	No
On the Job Training (50% of the wage is paid)?	On the Job Training (50% of the wage is paid)? Yes	No

18. If you are interested in any follow up, please check the appropriate box below:

If you are interested in any follow up, please check the appropriate box below: Please have a One Stop representative contact me for business assistance.

Please have a small business counselor contact me about workforce/employee needs.

Please have a City of Yuba City contact me about a regulatory/code question or concern.

Please do not contact me.

Other (please specify)

19. If you asked to be contacted (Q. 17), please provide us with the following information. Names, numbers and email addresses will be separate from other survey responses, which will be used only in the aggregate.

If you asked to be contacted (Q. 17), please provide us with the following information. Names, numbers and email addresses will be separate from other survey responses, which will be used only in the aggregate. Company Name
Your Name
Title
Phone
Email Address
Company Address

Business Information and Operations