Take our Survey

Business Climate Survey

Please take our business survey and help us tailor our programs and services to the needs of Virginia businesses.

1) How would you describe your company's financial performance in 2011?

	Great
	Pretty Good
	Fair
	Poor

Comments

2) In 2012, do you think your company's sales will...

	Increase
	Decrease (skip to question 4)
	Stay the Same (skip to question 4)
	I don't know (skip to question 4)

Comments

3) Where will the increase in your sales likely come from?

	More sales to existing customers
	More sales to new customers
	More sales from new products or services introduced

Other, please specify

Comments

4) In 2012, will you hire more...

	Full-time Employees?
	Part-Time Employees?
	Independent Contractors/Freelance Workers?
	None

Comments

5) In 2012, do you plan to make any capital investments (purchases of equipment, real estate, etc.)?

	Yes
	No
	I don't know

Comments

6) What is your biggest operating challenge in 2012?

	Financing the business
	Growing sales/Marketing and promotion
	Finding qualified workers
	Managing costs (healthcare, energy, etc.)

Other, please specify

Comments

7) What would make your business more competitive long-term?

	Access to market data to find new customers
	Help to install new management processes for increased efficiency
	More accurate and timely financial reporting systems for better decision making
	Implementation of a social media strategy for better promotion

Other, please specify

Comments

8) What is the biggest impediment to economic growth in Virginia?

	Political uncertainties - both domestically and abroad
	Potential federal budget cuts
	Current federal, state and local tax policies
	Federal, state and local regulations
	Reduced consumer demand/confidence
	Negative perceptions driven by the media
	Lack of infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, broadband/DSL, etc.)

Other, please specify

Comments

9) Which service, of those listed below, would most help your company prosper in 2012? (Please choose only one.)

	Training to help your company sell to federal, state and local government agencies
	Assistance with new product research/development
	Marketing help with promoting my existing product line
	A way to reduce my healthcare costs
	Training to help my employees be more productive/efficient
	A cheaper source of capital

Other, please specify

Comments

10) Is there a particular state law or regulation that is hindering your business? If Yes, please describe.

	Yes
	No

Comments

11) How large is your business?

	Self-Employed (No additional employees)
	1-4 Employees
	5-14 Employees
	15-19 Employees
	20-49 Employees
	50-99 Employees
	100-250 Employees
	251-500 Employees
	Over 500 Employees

12) How much in annual sales did your business have next year?

	$0-99,999
	$100,000-$499,999
	$500,000-$999,999
	$1,000,000-$4,999,999
	$5,000,000-$9,999,999
	$10,000,000-$49,999,999
	Over $50,000,000

13) How old is your business?

	0-1 Years
	2-5 Years
	6-10 Years
	11-20 Years
	Over 20 Years

14) Where is your primary business office/location? (If home-based, please choose the region where your home is located.) Please choose a region from the choices below.

	Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Winchester, Fredericksburg, etc.)
	Central Virginia (Richmond, Petersburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, etc.)
	Eastern Virginia (Norfolk, Newport News, Virginia Beach, Eastern Shore, etc.)
	Valley (Harrisonburg, Lexington, Roanoke, etc.)
	Southwest Virginia (Blacksburg, Bristol, Stuart, Abingdon, etc.)
	Southside Virginia (Martinsville, Danville, Brunswick, etc.)
	Outside of Virginia
	Outside of the U.S.

15) Is your business SWaM (Small, Woman-Owned and/or Minority-Owned) certified with the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise?

	Yes
	No
	I don't know

Comments

16) What types of services would be most helpful to you and your business?

	Toll-free hotline offering free business information and resources to help start and grow your business
	Free business counseling via email
	Live online chat offering free business information and help to start and grow your business
	Free seminars throughout the state on various business-related topics
	Scheduling a free One-on-One counseling session in your area to help your business grow
	Free business assistance offered through social media channels - Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.

Other, please specify

Comments

17) If free seminars in your area on business-related topics would benefit your business, what types of topics would you like to see covered?

	General business startup information - business planning, registration, etc.
	Marketing
	Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.)
	Using the iPad for business
	Selling to federal, state and local government
	Selling internationally
	Product research and development
	Financing - bank loans
	Financing - government loans
	Financing - venture capital

Other, please specify

Comments

18) Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?

19) If you'd like to receive more information on the Virginia Department of Business Assistance and our programs and services, please enter your email address below.

Please provide your email