The Business Leader Survey that was completed by MNP Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. This was released this morning at our Lethbridge Economic Outlook breakfast.

1. MNP Business Leader Survey
Presented by:

2. • Introduction
• Research Methodology
• Results
• Questions
Agenda

3. • Modelled after similar surveys conducted by MNP across Canada
• Short pulse survey was designed to provide an economic snapshot of the
local business community and opinions on key local issues
• Developed in partnership with the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
• Goal is to generate baseline information so we can work together to
improve the local business climate and help local businesses succeed.
Introduction

4. Methodology

5. • The survey was conducted by a third party research firm, PRA Inc. under
the guidance of MNP and the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce.
• The survey sample includes 200 business leaders based off a list of
over 700 Chamber Members.
• Telephone interviews were conducted between November 19th –
December 2nd, 2015.
Methodology

6. • Respondents included: business owners, CEOs, presidents, executive
directors and designated senior corporate officers from businesses
across all industry sectors in the Lethbridge Region.
• 39% of the businesses PRA spoke to participated in the survey, which is
a high response rate.
• Results will be posted on the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and
MNP Lethbridge websites as well as shared on LinkedIn.
Methodology

7. Profile of Survey Participants
Respondents by industry
6.5%
6.0%
6.5%
10.0%
5.5%
3.5%
9.5%
5.0%
9.0%
1.5%
4.0%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Construction
Manufacturing
Retail trade
Finance and insurance
Real estate, rental and leasing
Health care and social assistance
Accommodation and food services
Non-profits / church / charities
Tourism
Atrs, entertainment and recreation
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12%

8. Results

9. Business Challenges
Has the current global economic situation affected your business?
No
48%
Unsure
2.5% Yes
49.5%

10. Business Challenges
How has the global economic situation affected your business?
(top responses)
6.1%
10.1%
12.1%
12.1%
12.1%
19.2%
21.2%
Fewer jobs
Beneficial effect
Fewer customers
Increased costs
Less money to spend
Lower sales / reduced revenues
Business slowed / declined
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
* Respondents could provide more than one answer; totals may sum to more than 100%

11. Business Performance - Employment
In the past 12 months, has the number of people you employ increased,
decreased or remained the same?
Increased
26%
Remained the
same
56.5%
Decreased
17%
Unsure
0.5%

12. Business Performance - Capital
In the past 12 months, would you say capital investments into your
business have increased, decreased or remained the same?
Stayed the Same
50.5%
Increased
27%
Decreased
16%
Unsure
6.5%

13. Business Challenges
Thinking about Lethbridge and the economy in general, what is your
greatest concern in the coming year? (top answers)
9.0%
10.5% 11.0%
12.0%
12.5%
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
14.0%
The Economy Decreasing employment No Concerns Uncertainty of oil/gas
industry
Concern about Provincial
government

14. Business Challenges
Which is the greatest challenge facing your company for the next 12
months? (top answers)
5.0%
5.0%
5.5%
6.0%
9.5%
10.0%
10.0%
11.0%
Increase in minimum wage
Marketing / branding
Consumer spending
Growing the company
Maintaining client base, revenue and sales
Skills shortage
Uncertain economic climate
Hiring and retaining good staff
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12%
** Respondents could provide more than one answer; totals may sum to more than 100%

15. Attitude on Government Performance
Would you say the (Government) has been doing an excellent job, a good
job, only a fair job, or a poor job in terms of creating a good climate for
business?
7.0%
2.5%
4.5%
40.0%
17.5%
15.5%
33.0%
20.5% 20.0%
8.0%
43.0%
19.5%
35.0%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Municipal Government Provincial Government Federal Government
Excellent Good Fair Poor Too Early

16. Business Climate Competitiveness
How much do you agree that Alberta’s business climate is competitive
with other provinces?
2.5%
8.0%
26.0%
36.5%
22.0%
1 - Strongly
Disagree
2 3 4 5 - Strongly
Agree
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%

17. Local Government Feedback
How much do you agree that Lethbridge’s overall image is steadily
improving?
0.5%
6.0%
27.0%
44.0%
18.5%
1 - Strongly
Disagree
2 3 4 5 - Strongly
Agree
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%
45.0%
50.0%

18. Local Government Feedback
In terms of marketing Lethbridge as a good place to do business, how is
the City of Lethbridge doing?
7.0%
27.5%
40.0%
6.0%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Poor Fair Good Excellent
*Respondents could provide more than one answer; totals may sum to more than 100%

19. Local Government Feedback
What is the one thing you would tell the City of Lethbridge they should do
to improve the business climate here in Lethbridge? (top responses)
7.0%
9.5%
14.0%
15.0%
22.5%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
Improve city management
and policies
Support small, local
businesses
Tax incentives and
business grants
Continue as they are Unsure
*Respondents could provide more than one answer; totals may sum to more than 100%

20. Economic Successes
What are three of the best economic successes or initiatives that have
occurred in the Lethbridge area (top answers).
14.0%
16.0%
9.0% 9.0%
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
Supporting post-secondary Nothing New businesses Hi-tech initiatives

21. 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
46.0%
Same 42.0%
Worse
9.5%
Unsure
2.5%

22. Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
Thinking about why you joined the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce,
how well has the Chamber met your expectations?
4.0% 4.5%
28.5%
42.5%
13.5%
1 - Did not
meet
expectations
2 3 - Met
expectations
4 5 - Exceeded
expectations
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%
45.0%

23. Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is involved in a range of areas (e.g. government issues,
workforce training, aboriginal opportunities, mentorship and economic
development). How important is it that the Chamber is involved in these
areas?
1.0% 2.0%
12.5%
39.0%
43.5%
1 - Not at all
important
2 3 4 5 - Very
important
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%
45.0%
50.0%

24. Summary
Business community is cautiously optimistic
• 46% optimistic of business growth in 2016
• Government at Municipal level is doing GOOD
vs. Provincial level doing POORLY
• Local business climate is competitive with
other regions, but room to improve
• 40% of respondents say the image of the
community as a place to do business is GOOD
• Business challenges for 2016:
- Hiring and retaining good employees
- Uncertain economic climate
- Skills shortage
- Maintaining business growth and expansion