Post on 27-Jun-2015
description
What is North Notts About?
Survey Results
16th March 2011
Welcome
• The Format for this morning
Format
8:30 - Introduction by The Mayor
8:35 - Summary of main themes by Mark Slade
9:00 - Breakout groups
9:45 - Wrap-up – summary of group discussions
10:00 - Go back to work
WINNA
• What is the WINNA project?
• What Is North Notts About
• Why did we do it?
• How did it go?
Who took part?
• 57 Businesses• 82 Questions• 85% were limited companies• Wide variety of sectors - Injection Moulding to
Estate Agents, Graphic Design to Motor Vehicle franchise, and many more
• 70% had less than 50 staff
So what did they say?
• 82 Questions – lots to cover; main ones:-– Recession– Perception of the area– Local Labour market– Business networking
The Recession
• Survey from April - October 2010 - Before Current public sector cuts
The Recession
“To what extent did the recession have an impact on your business?”
Some23%
Minimal24%
Very Significant
21%
Significant21%
Other11%
The Recession
“If it did have an impact, then please indicate the effects”
Reduced Profits
21%
Pay Freeze18%
Cashflow Problems
12%Redundancies
10%
Cancelled orders
10%
Delayed Projects
15%
Other5%
Reduced Staff hours
9%
Recession
“What do you think is the main thing you have learned from the recession”
47 text answers – some interesting responses
The Recession
• Short answers– “Don’t vote labour”– “Don’t trust bankers”
• Longer answers – just a few– The recession reminded us that we must keep things
tight. We had got sloppy and complacent. It made us appreciate that we had been busy fools and we altered our process to make more profit.
The Recession - comments
“We micro-managed all the business costs and questioned everything that we spent. We also reacted quickly - in August 2008”
“Reacted quickly and pre-empted issues with clients - pay freeze was introduced to allow us to avoid increasing fees to clients which in turn stopped us losing clients”
The Recession
• Managed costs• Diversified into different areas• Moved away from non-profitable areas• Reacted quickly • What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger• Local businesses coming out of the recession
stronger and wiser
Perception
“On the internet, nobody knows you’re a dog”
Perception
“What is your overall perception of North Notts as an area?”
Regeneration48%
Stagnant20%Growth
15%
Neglected13%
Skilled4%
Perception
“What business specialities do you think the area is known for?”
Ex Coalfield37%
Knitwear22%
Engineering14%
Brewery14%
Manufacturing
9%
Other 4%
Perception
“What is YOUR attitude to our area?”
Mostly Positive
56%
Becoming Positive
22%
Indifferent8%
Becoming Negative
4%
Mostly Negative
10%
Perception
“What do you think an outsiders perception is?”
Mostly Negative
50%
Becoming Negative
9%
Indifferent18%
Becoming Positive
5%
Mostly Positive
18%
Perception
• Perception different from reality• Positive locally; Negative from outsiders• “I’m alright – it’s them other boggers”• Self-fulfilling prophecy• Affects us all• Who can change this?
The Local Labour Market
The Local Labour Market
“What are your views on the local labour force?”
Lacking basic education
skills24%
Unmotivated25%
Unskilled23%
Lacking in particular
areas15%
Eager to learn12%
Highly Skilled1%
The Local Labour Market
“If you struggle to find skilled workers then is this because:-”
Skilled people unaware of local
jobs25%
Local skilled people work in
Nottingham27%
they have moved away from area
13%
They demand too high wages
13%
Other22%
Business Networking Groups
Business Networking Groups
“What are your views on business networking?”
Useful25%
Good way to maintain
relationships21%
Good to generate new
business15%
Always the same people
10%
Proactive7%
Waste of time8%
Intimidating2%
Other12%
Business Networking Groups
“Are you a member of the following groups or clubs?”
Notts Derby Chamber
Commerce38%
Mansfield 202031%
Industry specific groups
22%Charitable Trust
4%
Inspire Business Club2%
Business Scene Breakfast
3%
Is that it?
• That’s only part of the survey
• Access to funding, Community, Local media, Green issues, Training, where they shop, socialise etc also covered
• If you’re interested in a particular area let us know
What next?
• North Notts PLC
• Topics:-– Perception– Recession– Where do we go from here?
Split into your groups
• Summary of the survey– We’re handing out summary of some of the
main points of the survey – some stats on there to help your discussion
• 15 Minutes on each topic – I’ll keep time
• Round-up of the main points at the end
Discussion subject 1Perception – how do we improve perception of
the area both within the area and more importantly outside the area?
Time – 15 minutes
Discussion subject 2Recession – how do we recession-proof the
area – so that future recessions will not cause any lasting harm to the area
Time – 15 minutes
Discussion subject 3Where do we go from here – What can we do
to capitalise on the information that has been gathered – who should take this forward and how will they do it?
Time – 15 minutes
Round-up
• Perception – summary of points made
• Recession – summary of points made
• Where do we go from here? – summary of points made
What Is North Notts About?
Thank you for coming