Rockford Area Economic Development Council Presents the 2007 Voice-of-the-Customer Report; Community Strengths and Opportunities for Improvement Identified
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2008
Rockford, Illinois - Nearly 200 business and community leaders attended this morning’s Rockford Area Economic Development Council First Quarter 2008 event held at Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center. The event featured the first public presentation of the 2007 Voice-of-the-Customer Report, a summary report detailing the results of the RAEDC’s annual survey of area businesses.
“This event is unique to the community,” says Janyce Fadden, RAEDC President. “Through the Voice-of-the-Customer Survey process and summary report, the RAEDC is able to serve as an economic barometer, gauging the attitudes and objectives of area business.”
The Voice-of-the-Customer Report identifies areas of community strengths and opportunities for improvement, as perceived by the local business community. Areas of identified strengths include a steadily growing economy, the emergence of the Chicago Rockford International Airport, and a growing sense of collaboration between business and government. The report also details areas of improvement desired by business, including workforce pipeline development, coordinated community planning and infrastructure development, an improved legislative environment for business, and the development of customer focused governments that deliver seamless, competitive services.
“The challenges our community faces are not unique, however, we have an opportunity to create unique solutions to help build wealth in our community,” says Mark Podemski, RAEDC Vice President for Development. “While community competitiveness is very complex and multi-faceted, we can continue to successfully improve our business climate through an ongoing, goals oriented approach.”
The event was hosted by the RAEDC Business Retention & Expansion Solutions Team (BRE). As one of three Solutions Teams, BRE is committed to creating growth opportunities for local industry. The BRE team was also directly responsible for collecting the data that comprises the Voice-of-the-Customer Survey Report.
2007 Voice-of-the-Customer Survey
The data that serves as the basis of the 2007 Voice-of-the-Customer Report was collected from an extensive survey of local businesses. The survey is focused on learning more about a company’s product and/or service, the industries in which they compete, and their satisfaction with the community. Survey questions covered topics, including workforce availability and quality, community services, access to technology, area infrastructure, and utility services.
The goal of the Voice-of-the-Customer Survey process is three fold:
- Learn what our regions’ employers need to foster growth and investment in the community;
- Identify current site issues and improvement opportunities for business growth; and
- Determine how to best use local resources and public-private partnerships to advance economic development in the region.
The 2007 Voice-of-the-Customer Report marks the fourth consecutive year that RAEDC has surveyed the local business community. During this time, the RAEDC has met with over 200 companies, which - in aggregate - employ over 35,000 people within our region (more than 20% of our workforce). In 2007, 85 companies were surveyed.
The list of survey questions was developed by Blane Canada, a recognized authority on economic development marketing and business retention. Their Synchronist Business Information System is an internet-based software tool that RAEDC uses to organize and analyze survey results. The Voice-of-the-Customer Survey was administered by Mark Podemski, RAEDC Vice President for Development; members of the Business Retention & Expansion Solutions Team; and other volunteers.
The complete 2007 Voice-of-the-Customer Report is available at the RAEDC (815.987.8118) and online at http://www.rockfordil.com/pdf/pubs/RAEDC%20Summary%20hi.pdf
EVENT SPONSORS
The event was sponsored by OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. The following RAEDC Rockforward! President’s Circle Investors also sponsored the event: Alpine Bank; AMCORE Bank; City of Rockford; ComEd; Greater Rockford Airport Authority; IBEW/NECA; IronWorkers Local Union 498; JP Morgan Chase; Maverick Media; Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association; OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center; Rockford Area Association of Realtors; Rockford Health System; Rockford Register Star; SwedishAmerican Health System; UPS; Village of Machesney Park; WIFR-TV; Winnebago County; Woodward; WQRF TV / WTVO TV; and WREX-TV.
ABOUT THE RAEDC
The primary role of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council is to enhance wealth creation in the Rockford Region by marketing the area and helping employers retain and create quality jobs. The RAEDC works closely with many partners to serve as a one-stop resource for clients, to improve the competitiveness of the region and to engage the community in the work of economic development.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Janyce Fadden, RAEDC President
815.987.8118
jfadden@rockfordil.com
Mark Podemski, RAEDC Vice President for Development
815.987.8118
mpodemski@rockfordil.com