Earlier this year we conducted a business survey to better understand and further support the needs of our business community. These survey results help us to shape the services, programs, grants and activities we deliver to our business community.

72 business owners responded, and this is what they told us...

About Businesses in the City of Charles Sturt

From our 72 responses 50% of business owners told us they operated their businesses from home.

25% of the businesses operating from home had been doing so for less than 2 years and were non-employing. 30% had been operating from home for 2-5 years, over half of these employed 2-5 staff. The remainder had been operating from home between 6-10 years with 4 businesses working this way for more than 10 years.

When we asked how many people our businesses employed, most were either non employing or had less than 5 staff. This wasn’t surprising as South Australia is typically a small business economy.

Our business owners also came from all over the world.

56% of our business owners told us they were born in Australia. 31% told us they were born overseas.

Highlights of what businesses told us:

Looking forward...

72% of the businesses were feeling positive about the future of their business but looking back over the last 12 months said that business profitability had been mixed.

14% of businesses were extremely worried about the future and several respondents told us that they were in start-up phase so it would be some time before they broke even or made a profit.

Almost half of our businesses told us they were in ‘growth’ phase and were looking to increase staff.

Their biggest constraints to growth were cashflow, workforce, technology, contracts & agreements and access to capital.

Growing the business, developing an online presence, access to grants, funding and advice and managing energy costs were important to business.

These priorities are the same as those identified in 2022.

Employment and recruitment issues also ranked highly in 2023 but businesses were unsure about their environmental plans.

75% of our businesses understood the risks of cybersecurity but only 47% knew what to do in the event of an attack.

27% were interested in training and upskilling their staff in in this area.

40% of business said growing the business was extremely important to them but they identified the following as their biggest constraints to growth...

Business also told us that other constraints to growth were….

• Rising rates /consumer confidence/lender policies
  
• Finding new customers
• Access to buyers
• Mental health
• Marketing
• Brand awareness

42% of the business surveyed were looking to become more environmentally sustainable.24% were unsure if this would be part of their plans.

One business owner told us, “I would love to be able to plant a tree each time I support a client, my little part to help offset carbon”.

Over 60% of respondents were looking for ways to innovate in their business.

This included investigating new technology and online integration and adding new product lines.

79% of the business surveyed sourced goods and services locally.

You told us, “you do try to support local wherever you can, but it can be difficult to find affordable products manufactured locally.”

Over 50% of businesses said they were looking for ways to make their business more accessible but didn’t comment on what they were trying to improve.

Our business owners are finding their work life balance, the cost of living and their difficulty attracting and retaining staff a real challenge.

Those that selected ‘other’ told us that they weren’t experiencing any wellbeing challenges.

If you are struggling Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners is a guided self-help mental health coaching program.

You will be matched with a specially trained mental health coach with a small business background.

It’s free, confidential and convenient. Available nationally by phone or video call, no GP referral is required.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess-mental-health-coaching/newaccess-for-small-business-owners

When asked how Council could help businesses the top 5 answers were; advocate for them, provide advice, attract people to the region through events, assist with skills development and help them to reduce their business costs.

Businesses were also interested in grants to help their businesses grow.

Only 46% of businesses were aware of the grants available to support local businesses, artists and venues.

77% of businesses were aware of the Western Business Leaders, a group set up to support the City of Charles Sturt business community.

When asked were there any other workshops or topics they would like to see covered in the next 12 months 63% of our businesses responded digital marketing.

Businesses were also looking for support in…

• Accessing grants
  
• Financial planning, cashflow forecasting and budgeting.
• Developing business to business connections
• Accessing Buy Local opportunities.
• Developing strategies/ planning for growth
• Selling online
• Finding your purpose
• Public speaking and pitching
• Selling their business

64% of businesses responded that liveability is what they loved about doing business in the Western Region.

Those that selected ‘other’ told us that the community and proximity to the Adelaide CBD were other reasons for doing business here.

83% of business respondents couldn’t think of any disadvantages of doing business in the City of Charles Sturt.

6 businesses told us that parking was an issue.

We also received individual comments about…

• A lack of suitable co-working spaces
• A lack of suitable manufacturing premises for sale
• The distance from the Adelaide CBD
• Rising prices
• Their difficulty collaborating with council with regards to business rescue, restructuring, turnaround and sustainable growth.
• Not enough done to support community groups and families.

When asked if you could change one thing or solve one problem in your local community to improve the business environment, this is what you told us.