The results from the Sunshine Coast Business Confidence Survey are in.  The survey showed continued optimism on the coast for the first quarter of 2010, but results indicate confidence is slightly lower than the Queensland average.  For the full report please see the Boardroom Business Blog.

Head on over to www.boardroombusiness.com.au to participate in the January quarter survey - tell us your opinions based on the past 3 months of trading, business and/or investing activities for 2009.

Thank you to all who completed our previous surveys.  The participation rate has been very high and we take this as a good sign that the information being collected and reported upon is of use to the Business community.

You will have noticed that the survey is now being conducted by our affiliate, Boardroom Business.  This is in response to some feedback regarding the word 'Noosa' in the name of the survey series.

To encourage participation from all across the Coast, we took this feedback on board and created a new website and branding for the continuation of the survey series.

With two extra questions this quarter focusing on understanding business response to environmental sustainability, we hope that you will continue to support this initiative. 

This December quarter survey opens on Tuesday 5^th January and closes on Wednesday 20^th January.  Head to our Boardroom Business web site to participate.

And as always, we welcome your feedback on how best to improve this survey series.

Anne Lawrence

The Sunshine Coast Business Confidence Quarterly Survey will be launched online on Tuesday January 4 at www.boardroombusiness.com.au with a primary focus on business confidence in our region.

The January survey is the fourth in a series of quarterly surveys undertaken by Boardroom Business and supported by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Sunshine Coast Chambers of Commerce.

Boardroom Business spokesperson Anne Lawrence who is conducting the survey thinks this survey is one of the important milestones in the series. 

Ms Lawrence said that the previous three surveys have shown that Sunshine Coast businesses have been more confident than businesses from other regions across the state, even the rest of the country.

Michael Campbell, a senior consultant with the AEC Group commented on the results from the last survey saying that Coast businesses could be inclined to say “I told you so” as the economy turned significantly more positive. 

So does that mean that Sunshine Coast businesses are the lead indicator for what the future holds?  Anne Lawrence would like to find out. 

“Given the last three surveys have been statistically more confident, we would like to find out if this is real or not.  Because if it is a true and accurate indication of business confidence in our region it could be an important barometer for the wider economy” said Ms Lawrence

The survey is short and easy to complete targeting business owners across the entire Sunshine Coast region to gain a representative view of business confidence across all business sectors. Each quarterly survey also includes additional questions focusing on a specific region or industry sector.

This quarter, two additional questions have been added to help better understand business’ response to environmental sustainability.

“We all know that climate change and environmental sustainability is a challenge for everyone.  We would like to find out what businesses feel are their priorities in this challenge, and also find out what they have actually done to become more environmentally sustainable” said Ms Lawrence.

Ms Lawrence added that the survey would close Wednesday January 20 with the results made available in the following weeks.

The results will be analysed by independent economic analyst AEC Group Ltd and will be freely available on the Boardroom Business website, so businesses can utilise the information in their own planning activities.

“All businesses will be keen to know if this confidence trend is continuing as we come out of our peak summer holiday season,” Ms Lawrence said.

“Once again we are encouraging business to go and tell it like it really is to ensure we gain an accurate picture.”

Ms Lawrence said the ‘vox pop’ style survey was deliberately short and simple to encourage even the busiest business owner or manager to respond.

Businesses wishing to participate in the survey can subscribe and log on to www.boardroombusiness.com.au.

I was just alerted to a great summary document produced by Sunshine Coast Enterprises.

It is called 'Economic Pulse 2009' and contains key economic data from the region providing an overview of key regional indicators such as:

    * Business structure
    * Labor force and employment
    * Employment by occupation

The 2009 Economic Pulse, is a Sunshine Coast Enterprises (SCE) and Sunshine Coast Regional Council initiative.

 

 

Have your say about Sunshine Coast Regional Council's Draft Economic Development Strategy

Further information from Council Below:

As you may be aware, yesterday Council endorsed its draft Economic Development Strategy for consultation with business and the community.

The importance of the economy to the Sunshine Coast community was reflected in the process of developing Council's Corporate Plan, where the achievement of a robust economy was identified as being the highest priority for the region. Council has developed a draft strategy to address Council's role in economic development for the region.

The goal for Council in terms of economic development is to have a mature, diversified economy based on our unrivalled quality of life, our natural environment and our commitment to sustainability. We aim to build our economy so that it is more resilient to the peaks and troughs of the economic cycle and for our businesses, our infrastructure and our technology to have a reputation for sustainability and success, both nationally and internationally.

Visit our website to download the draft Economic Development Strategy, Action Plan and Factsheet.

Between 19 November 2009 and 31 January 2010 Council is inviting feedback on the strategy. I realise you are extremely busy at this time, however, this is your opportunity to contribute to this document and Council's involvement in economic development within the region.

There are a number of ways you can contribute to the draft strategy:

1. Fill in the online feedback form

2. Email your comments to economicdevelopment@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

3. Arrange to meet and have a discussion with us

Phone: (07) 5475 8501

Fax: (07) 5441 8338

Submissions close 31 January 2010.

Council will consider all feedback received and use it to inform the final Economic Development Strategy.

With over 340 respondents from the local business community, the third in our quarterly business confidence survey series for the Sunshine Coast was a great success. A big THANK YOU to those of you who participated!

Read more at the Boardroom Business Blog >>

A big THANKS to all who participated in our September Business Confidence Survey.

The results will be released on Tuesday November 3rd.

Between now and until then, we have some number crunching to do!

For those of you who subscribed to the Boardroom Business and Noosa Boardroom news pages, you will get email notification when the results are released.

 

INNOVATIVE INDUSTRIES CONFERENCE
October 8th – 9th, 2009

www.InnovativeIndustriesConference.com.au

They say that in today’s ultra-competitive market either we innovate or perish. There is no choice.

Power your way to a secure and prosperous future through bold vision, innovation and drive. How? Our speakers did it in their business, and they’re coming to The Events Centre, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland on 8th  October to share their knowledge with you.

The program is packed with high profile speakers – including Chris Russell from ABC’s ‘The New Inventors,’ and Tom O’Toole of Beechworth Bakery (described as “John Cleese on steroids”), providing local businesses with a rare and valuable opportunity to interact with leaders in their field.

Highlights include eminent speakers, follow-up sessions, a networking event, an exclusive business dinner for 30 with Chris Russell at the new Rumba Resort and a coach tour showcasing four remarkable local businesses.

Attendees of the B2B Networking function at the end of the day can also mix with other businesses that have an interest in innovation as a vehicle for business sustainability and growth. Special guest speaker is Will Casey. National Sales & Marketing Manager of PLASTEC - winner of the Caloundra Regional Business Awards 2009 Business of the Year. He will be sharing the Caloundra based company’s unique approach that saw the company grow from a ‘one man plumber’ to multi-million dollar enterprise selling over 900 different products – many used in virtually every home in Australia.

The conference is seen as a launchpad for ongoing innovation activities in SE Queensland, led by companies that have demonstrated success.

What if just one idea from this conference grew your business ten fold?

The conference sessions span topics ranging from invention and innovation to sustainability to government grants to marketing and PR. Featured regional speakers include leaders like Bob Cameron of Rockcote – recent winner of the UN World Environment Day Award, and Don Parry of QPrint  - winner of the 2009 Westpac Queensland Sustainable Industry Award, and Peter Kermond of Macadamia Exports Australia sharing how he built his business from $45,000  to $8 million annually by not following the crowd. The Y Generation is represented by Sydney success story Jack Delosa – who at 22 was voted Top 30 Under 30 by Australian Anthill magazine, already has a rags to riches story, and regularly shares his insights with university and high school students.

The cost of the Conference Day Package is only $95 ($76 members of ANY chamber of commerce) and includes:
- All conference day sessions
- Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea
- B2B networking with free cocktail, nibbles, featuring guest speaker Will Casey of Plastec
- Inclusion in planned followup innovative companies activities during the year

Bookings for all events are essential.

Registrations: 8am Thursday 8th October 2009, The Events Centre, Caloundra
 

For further information, program, speakers and online registration to the conference go to

www.InnovativeIndustriesConference.com.au

Thank you to all who completed our previous surveys.  The participation rate has been very high and we take this as a good sign that the information being collected and reported upon is of use to the Business community.

You will have noticed that the survey is now being conducted by Boardroom Business.  This is in response to some feedback regarding the word 'Noosa' in the name of the survey series.

To encourage participation from all across the Coast, we took this feedback on board and created a new website and branding for the continuation of the survey series.

With two extra questions this quarter focusing on the local food and beverage sector, we hope that you will continue to support this initiative. 

This September quarter survey opens on Tuesday 29th September and closes on Thursday 15th October.  Head to our Boardroom Business web site to participate.

And as always, we welcome your feedback on how best to improve this survey series.

Anne Lawrence

Thank you to all who completed our previous surveys.  The participation rate has been very high and we take this as a good sign that the information being collected and reported upon is of use to the Business community.

You will have noticed that the survey is now being conducted by www.boardroombusiness.com.au.  This is in response to some feedback regarding the word 'Noosa' in the name of the survey series.

To encourage participation from all across the Coast, we took this feedback on board and created a new website and branding for the continuation of the survey series.

With two extra questions this quarter focusing on the local food and beverage sector, we hope that you will continue to support this initiative. 

This September quarter survey opens on Tuesday 29th September and closes on Thursday 15th October.  Head to our www.boardroombusiness.com.au site to participate.

And as always, we welcome your feedback on how best to improve this survey series.

Anne Lawrence