Village of Gold River November 2011 Business Scan

Patrick Nelson Marshall BES SURP | Economic Developer

Capital EDC Economic Development Company

We are the only provider of economic development GPS Growth, Planning and Sustainability services located in Victoria. Retain us on a monthly basis and save money while growing your activity.

Business and Economic Development Services | Demonstration Project Village of Gold River Review of economic

development committee work | internal audit

Cluster, Supply Chain & Industrial Sector Development Strategies

Web Site conversion, transition from static to sales orientation

Local and Regional Economic Scan Reports

Confidential Business Retention and Expansion results

Sales Training for Economic Developers

Recommendations for Economic Diversification Program Re-Start

In-bound Investment and Business Recruitment processes and training

Head Hunting and Professional Searches for Public and Private

Review and Assessments of Boards of Directors

Growth, Planning & Sustainability Management Plans

Support to Economic Development Officers

Relationship mending between Local Government & Boards

Business Meeting Hosting Interest Matching in Vancouver and Victoria

Retained monthly consulting Economic Developer

Workforce Strategy Reports Business Introductions to New Markets

Local Area Procurement Tools

Familiarization Tour Management

International Tour Coordination Sister City Relationship Development

This Report illustrates the views of the Resident Business Licensees, Council and Committee Members Fourth Quarter 2011

VIEWS AND ATTRIBUTES OF THE RESPONDENTS

Stakeholder View of Regional Image

Stakeholder views of their own community and region may differ. It is generally seen as a positive image with some reservation.

How Outsiders view the Region

Their experience with outsiders perception of the Region may also be different. No perception means that there is work to be done creating a perception.

Effective Economic Development

Some confusion. More jobs means expansion of existing, topped up with new business in a blend.

Personal Lens on Subjects

Stakeholders should have different lenses and sensitivities so that there is balance. The Village is an “Urban” context.

Expansion and Recruitment Targets

Each Sector exponentially effects the local economy from lowest at Government to highest in the Manufacturing segment.

Gold River’s Three Greatest Strengths

Affordability, Proximity to Recreational Opportunities, Access to Transportation

Gold River’s Biggest Challenges

Availability of well paid jobs, Citizen Attitude, Keeping Young Workers.

Top Three Economic Development Subjects

Supporting Existing Business, Recruitment of non Retail, and Growth of Small Business combined with Revitalization of Commercial Area.

Local Government should spend

Opinions are consistent across the profile. Strong Opinions lean towards More Employment Opportunities. These subject titles all fit into a Sustainability Charter which acts as a Guide for Development.

Respondents Sectoral History

Where you are employed influences your view of the subjects before the Stakeholders.

Respondents Length of Service

How long you have been operating in any given position may indicate an ability to change or not.

Respondents Accountability at Work

The level accountability you are used to may be an indicator of how much risk you are willing to take.

Respondents Gender

Gender Balance is sometime a factor in decision making style and management.

Gold River Original v. Newcomers

Sometimes, the length of residency influences your ability to see the Forest.

Respondents Origins

In other cases, bringing fresh eyes to a community can provide the benefit of a new view on old issues and challenges.

Regionalism

Sometimes, the place where you were born shapes your view of the world.

Respondents Business Class

While we do live in a classless society, sometimes, your root experience is an influencer.

Respondents Achievement

Balancing experiences is important to stakeholder dynamics.

Respondents Skill Sets

Determining where you are weakest and backfilling skills is important to the recruiting process.

Respondents Cohorts

Balancing experience and generational perspectives is important.

Respondents Financial Responsibility

Respondents Diversity

Speaking other languages is a helpful skill set when engaged in business development.

THE TOP 10 LIST & NEED FOR STRATEGIC FOCUS

This section is about what the Respondents see as Regional priorities in Q4

Ernst Young Top 10 Issues List

What the world sees as Top priorities are not necessarily a factor locally.

Our Region Needs Attention

Sometimes these graphs speak for themselves.

HOW DOES NEW BUSINESS HAPPEN

This section is about what the Respondents Experience

Where do you refer people to for information?

Cross promotion of products and services is critical to residents understanding that every business is not a Corporate Giant, they are people who invested in a job for themselves and their families.

Larry P

Municipal Office

Ourselves. We provide information on real estate listings for businesses and

residential properties.

Mayor and Council

I do not refer people

Municipal Hall

I give them the information I have/know and then put them to who else I think

might help them in the community.

Village Office

I would have no idea where to send them.

Village office

Reality office

Town office

Village office

have never referred

When did you move in and what was the experience like?

No capital 5 year plan!

I am just in the process of purchasing a second residence in Gold River.

I live in Campbell River.

I lived here in 1983-84 as a teacher: town booming with the big industries at the wharf. I

returned recently in January 2008. Much different time.

I bought a business here. I did not move.

Grew up here and then moved back in 2004

2005. non-eventful

5 years ago - good

1985 as a young mother with a husband in a new job, my experience was positive.

2003, good experience

Also grew up here from 1968-1984

I moved to Gold River in 1959, and enjoyed growing up here and making this my home.

Mid 2005 Loved it. Took a few years to get our business going in town.

March 2011, positive.

1999 good

1996 I moved to Nootka, to gold river in 99. loved it

What web site did you use and was it helpful?

It was a very bad web site.

www.goldriverrealty.ca

www.goldriverbuzz.com

www.island.net/~record/

www.goldriver.ca

Is there such a website?

Village of GR

Gold River Buzz

www.goldriver.ca

The BUZZ.

gold river buzz

goldriver.ca

Google Gold River

Who was on your “Reception Team”?

No clue

Do we have one?

I do not know.

Whoever is around at the time, as far as I could tell. We need to have the

presence of our village advertised at trade shows, and promoted in a

much bigger way.

Municipal staff and........

Village Office

I have no idea.

??

Mayor?

I do not know - The Mayor?

I Have no idea

What role do you play in recruiting people and business to the Village of Gold River?

None None Fielding inquiries from the public with regard to real estate listings for businesses NA None None Minimal We leave an impression of what quality business can be in our community. No idea. None Very little unless linked to our Business None

What web site did you use and was it helpful?

It was a very bad web site.

www.goldriverrealty.ca

www.goldriverbuzz.com

www.island.net/~record/

www.goldriver.ca

Is there such a website?

Village of GR

Gold River Buzz

www.goldriver.ca

The BUZZ.

gold river buzz

goldriver.ca

Google Gold River

Web Promotion

Cross promotion of products and services is critical to residents understanding that every business is not a Corporate Giant, they are people who invested in a job for themselves and their families..

Retention and Expansion These are the two basic functions of economic development. Would you be surprised to know that everyone over the age of 13 has a responsibility to contribute to success, hence the phrase, “it takes a village”.

RESIDENT BUSINESS ACTIVITY Q4

This section is about the Resident Business Activity

Your Peers Product Mix Change

This illustrates innovation and market dynamics.

Your Peers Product Mix Change >18 Months

In the next 18 months, a couple of businesses are introducing new products which is a positive sign.

Your Peers Special Niche

There is not a high incidence of specialization amongst the group.

Your Peers Business Sales Turnover

This indicates an average group of businesses.

Your Peers Business Trade Area

Indicates a slight diversity in your peer group. Surprised to see global in the group.

Your Peers Customer Frequency

This is a poor sample so no real information derived from this question.

Your Peer Business Sales Q4

Indicates a sense of strong change and decreasing. May be seasonal.

Your Peer Average Sales

The perception is that sales are on average, stable, with one indication of increases.

Your Peer Type of Customer

Dominance of one-to-one sales is higher risk of rapid change. Lack of dependence on Government sales is a positive attribute.

Your Peer Customer Age Cohorts

Not enough data to give a clear picture. If there was, there are clear gaps that would indicate lack of balance in perspectives.

Your Peer Estimated Incomes

Not enough data to give a clear indication.

Your Peer Marketing Sales Tools

Not a lot of diversity of tools here which is useful when planning for the Sun Coast Wood Campaign.

Your Peer Expansion Plans

Not enough responses to determine a strong pattern here.

Peer New Location Plans

No movement here.

STAKEHOLDER VIEWS ON REGIONAL WORKFORCE Q4

This section is about the views of the Workforce

Quality of Workforce

Views are moderate and non committal on this subject.

Head of Household

There are a variety of perceptions on this subject.

Workforce Demand

Contrary to public perception.

Unfilled Employment Positions

Not a big enough indication to warrant specific recruiting.

Imported Workforce

Not a big enough indication to warrant detailed study and response.

Change in Workforce

Would have expected a stronger indication of awareness of change due to issues around succession and ageing workforce.

Provision of Benefits

Interesting spread of experience on this subject.

Provision of Benefits

Another interesting indicator of experience with benefits.

Workforce Training Provisions

Strong diversity of experience here.

Investment in Training

Not a strong indication for this subject.

Workforce Initiatives

Diversity of experience indicated here.

REGIONAL CHANGE

This section focuses on expectations of change Q4

Are Changes Expected

Somewhat conflicting view of the near term.

Attitude towards doing business

No change here.

Are there Businesses needed in the Region?

Not so much.

Regulatory Barriers

Some indications identified, but not a major issue amongst the group.

Regulatory Reprieve

None anticipated here.

TECHNOLOGY TALK

This section is about the

Influence of technology on the peer group.

Emerging Technology

None anticipated. Some would think of the passing of social media and the beginning of the mobility era.

Opportunities with Technology

Not a strong enough indicator to warrant detailed study.

Use of Technology

Very diverse use of technology within the peer group.

Regional Technology Infrastructure

Adequate.

MANAGEMENT TEAM DYNAMICS

This section is about the

Peer groups business management team in Q4

<18 Months Change in Leadership

Not a strong indication of change.

Ownership Involvement

Not a strong enough response for analysis.

Top Performers

Not strong enough to indicate a pattern.

Advertising Budget

It would be difficult to ask this group to contribute to the Sun Coast Wood Campaign.

Community Engagement

There is a likelihood that this group would contribute to the Sun Coast Wood Campaign.

Collaboration

Tends to indicate that the group does not necessarily play well with others.

Supplier Relationships

Not much opportunity to introduce new ideas as the relationships, while stable, are not introducing new players who might be more inclined to participate in a community driven campaign.

YOUR VIEW OF SERVICES AND UTILITIES

End of Survey Results Fourth Quarter 2011

Quality of Service

Utilities