Business Retention and Expansion Final Report - City of Brantford

48Participating businesses were asked to indicate how important certain factors will be in ensuring that their businessremains competitive in the next three years.Percentages shown are for respondents indicating very important:Factors (Very Important)PercentageProduct research and development 48%Market development:- locally 74%- outside local area 43%Access to exporting and international markets 11%Access to importing of products & services 11%Add or change in products or services 43%Strategic alliances (joining with other business to provide products/services) 43%Improving worker productivity 43%ISO9000/14000 or HACCP management standards 14%Industry/professional standards 48%Availability of labour 55%Workplace health and safety 60%Workforce skill development 57%Energy costs 49%Water/sewer availability 35%Water/sewer costs 33%Improved customer service 78%Availability of telecommunication services 65%Exchange rate for Canadian dollar 25%Resolution of cross border issues 15%Accessing capital 44%Business planning 61%Strategic marketing 66%Other 13%Fifty-seven percent (57%) of businesses surveyed import products or services from outside the municipality and 40%imports from outside Ontario but within Canada.Products or services which businesses would like to purchase locally, that are now being purchased outside of the areainclude: Specific food items, office supplies, books etc., computer hardware and software and business specific items.Thirty-eight percent (38%) of surveyed businesses participate in a product and/or service buyer-supplier network, ofthose that said “no” felt it would be a benefit and 46% said there is a concentration of firms in the area that couldprovide complimentary products or services.