Make the future your business

What are the biggest challenges facing your business in the future and how can they be conquered?

These are among the key questions waiting to be answered in the September 2015 Sunshine Coast Business Survey that opens on Tuesday, September 15.

Now in its eighth year, the Sunshine Coast business confidence survey is conducted independently by Boardroom Business and supported by Sunshine Coast Council.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said the survey regularly received up to 500 business respondents and was regarded as an important barometer for business conditions across the region.

It has been used to inform the development of the Invest Sunshine Coast Prospectus and Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS) and is a valuable reference tool for businesses looking to invest, or expand, in the region.

“Findings from the most recent survey in the second half of 2014 revealed confidence levels on the Sunshine Coast had risen to the highest levels since 2009 – before the worst of the Global Financial Crisis ,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“So this current survey is extremely important to see if that positive trend is continuing and also to gauge what Sunshine Coast businesses feel are their biggest challenges for future prosperity and how those challenges can be met."

The survey is supported by major business groups across the region including the Sunshine Coast Combined Chambers Alliance, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Sunshine Coast, Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast and many others.

Sunshine Coast Combined Chambers Chair Michael Shadforth said results from the survey could potentially influence future policy and infrastructure decisions across all levels of government within the region.

“The Sunshine Coast business survey provides an accurate picture of what issues and constraints are relevant over time and how they compare to what is happening nationally and even globally,” Mr Shadforth said.

“The most recent survey revealed strong expectations by businesses for increases in profitability, staffing levels and capital investment for the first half of this year.

“This current survey will provide an insight into what the biggest challenges are for local businesses to grow and prosper in the future.

“This is something that is unique to our region and its fantastic that the Sunshine Coast is taking responsibility for finding out exactly how business confidence is tracking within the region.

"I really encourage all local businesses to take part in this survey.”

The Sunshine Coast Business Confidence Survey will remain open until Friday, October 9 and participation is anonymous.

For more information about the survey (including previous results) and to download a copy, visit http://www.boardroombusiness.com.au/sunshinecoast