Guelph businesses can help the City better understand their needs by participating in the first annual Employment Survey.
Used to gain insight and intelligence about local businesses, the survey provides invaluable information to the City that will help them understand the challenges and needs of local businesses, explained Peter Minkiewicz, the Economic Development Officer for the City of Guelph.
"The survey and subsequent analysis of the data will help inform where to allocate our resources so we can deliver targeted programming for businesses," he said.
Information including business location, products, employee count and management structure is critical for the City when making strategic decisions and developing meaningful and supportive programming.
Many municipalities have successfully used the Employment Survey in the past to inform both policy and program development. The City recognizes the vast diversity of its local business community and needs to begin by quantifying, categorizing and summarizing the challenges and opportunities associated with this diversity.
Minkiewicz said the survey will provide important baseline information that can serve as the starting point to track trends and changes within the local business community. Students conducting the survey will engage business owners to identify if the business is open to further visits from staff to help them address questions and concerns.
"Our intent is to conduct the equivalent of a business census," he commented.
And like any census, collecting the information is no small task. With four students surveying approximately 4,000 businesses in person from May to August, it's an enormous undertaking but worthwhile in its implications for the City.
For more information about the survey, visit the City of Guelph website.