Business Sentiment Survey

Tell Us About Your Most Pressing Business Concerns

Directions: Please number each of the following statements on a scale from 1 through 5.

Not a Problem
Rarely a Problem
Frequent Problem
Serious Problem
Critical, Must Fix

1. Sales/Revenue *This question is required.

Space Cell	1 - Not A Problem	2 - Rarely A Problem	3 - Frequent Problem	4 - Serious Problem	5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Prospecting	Prospecting : 1 - Not A Problem	Prospecting : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Prospecting : 3 - Frequent Problem	Prospecting : 4 - Serious Problem	Prospecting : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Handling Objections	Handling Objections: 1 - Not A Problem	Handling Objections: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Handling Objections: 3 - Frequent Problem	Handling Objections: 4 - Serious Problem	Handling Objections: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Closing	Closing: 1 - Not A Problem	Closing: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Closing: 3 - Frequent Problem	Closing: 4 - Serious Problem	Closing: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Managing Current and Past Clients	Managing Current and Past Clients: 1 - Not A Problem	Managing Current and Past Clients: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Managing Current and Past Clients: 3 - Frequent Problem	Managing Current and Past Clients: 4 - Serious Problem	Managing Current and Past Clients: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Winning Repeat Business	Winning Repeat Business: 1 - Not A Problem	Winning Repeat Business: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Winning Repeat Business: 3 - Frequent Problem	Winning Repeat Business: 4 - Serious Problem	Winning Repeat Business: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Digital Marketing such as Web, Blog, Email and Social Media	Digital Marketing such as Web, Blog, Email and Social Media : 1 - Not A Problem	Digital Marketing such as Web, Blog, Email and Social Media : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Digital Marketing such as Web, Blog, Email and Social Media : 3 - Frequent Problem	Digital Marketing such as Web, Blog, Email and Social Media : 4 - Serious Problem	Digital Marketing such as Web, Blog, Email and Social Media : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!

2. Recruiting/Hiring/Training/Retaining *This question is required.

Space Cell	1 - Not A Problem	2 - Rarely A Problem	3 - Frequent Problem	4 - Serious Problem	5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Technical	Technical: 1 - Not A Problem	Technical: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Technical: 3 - Frequent Problem	Technical: 4 - Serious Problem	Technical: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Financial and Accounting	Financial and Accounting: 1 - Not A Problem	Financial and Accounting: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Financial and Accounting: 3 - Frequent Problem	Financial and Accounting: 4 - Serious Problem	Financial and Accounting: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Purchasing	Purchasing: 1 - Not A Problem	Purchasing: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Purchasing: 3 - Frequent Problem	Purchasing: 4 - Serious Problem	Purchasing: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Logistics	Logistics: 1 - Not A Problem	Logistics: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Logistics: 3 - Frequent Problem	Logistics: 4 - Serious Problem	Logistics: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Administrative	Administrative: 1 - Not A Problem	Administrative: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Administrative: 3 - Frequent Problem	Administrative: 4 - Serious Problem	Administrative: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Sales	Sales : 1 - Not A Problem	Sales : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Sales : 3 - Frequent Problem	Sales : 4 - Serious Problem	Sales : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Engineering	Engineering: 1 - Not A Problem	Engineering: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Engineering: 3 - Frequent Problem	Engineering: 4 - Serious Problem	Engineering: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
We Have Turnover Issues	We Have Turnover Issues: 1 - Not A Problem	We Have Turnover Issues: 2 - Rarely A Problem	We Have Turnover Issues: 3 - Frequent Problem	We Have Turnover Issues: 4 - Serious Problem	We Have Turnover Issues: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Wages are Under Competitive Pressure	Wages are Under Competitive Pressure: 1 - Not A Problem	Wages are Under Competitive Pressure: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Wages are Under Competitive Pressure: 3 - Frequent Problem	Wages are Under Competitive Pressure: 4 - Serious Problem	Wages are Under Competitive Pressure: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Hiring Mistakes	Hiring Mistakes : 1 - Not A Problem	Hiring Mistakes : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Hiring Mistakes : 3 - Frequent Problem	Hiring Mistakes : 4 - Serious Problem	Hiring Mistakes : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!

3. Analysis & Planning *This question is required.

Space Cell	1 - Not A Problem	2 - Rarely A Problem	3 - Frequent Problem	4 - Serious Problem	5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Three to five year plans and forecasts	Three to five year plans and forecasts : 1 - Not A Problem	Three to five year plans and forecasts : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Three to five year plans and forecasts : 3 - Frequent Problem	Three to five year plans and forecasts : 4 - Serious Problem	Three to five year plans and forecasts : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
In depth financial analysis against your business model	In depth financial analysis against your business model: 1 - Not A Problem	In depth financial analysis against your business model: 2 - Rarely A Problem	In depth financial analysis against your business model: 3 - Frequent Problem	In depth financial analysis against your business model: 4 - Serious Problem	In depth financial analysis against your business model: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Monthly close is challenging	Monthly close is challenging : 1 - Not A Problem	Monthly close is challenging : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Monthly close is challenging : 3 - Frequent Problem	Monthly close is challenging : 4 - Serious Problem	Monthly close is challenging : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Cost accounting is challenging	Cost accounting is challenging : 1 - Not A Problem	Cost accounting is challenging : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Cost accounting is challenging : 3 - Frequent Problem	Cost accounting is challenging : 4 - Serious Problem	Cost accounting is challenging : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Need data to benchmark our company against the industry	Need data to benchmark our company against the industry: 1 - Not A Problem	Need data to benchmark our company against the industry: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Need data to benchmark our company against the industry: 3 - Frequent Problem	Need data to benchmark our company against the industry: 4 - Serious Problem	Need data to benchmark our company against the industry: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Accounting strength	Accounting strength: 1 - Not A Problem	Accounting strength: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Accounting strength: 3 - Frequent Problem	Accounting strength: 4 - Serious Problem	Accounting strength: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
CPA strength	CPA strength: 1 - Not A Problem	CPA strength: 2 - Rarely A Problem	CPA strength: 3 - Frequent Problem	CPA strength: 4 - Serious Problem	CPA strength: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!

4. Strategy *This question is required.

Space Cell	1 - Not A Problem	2 - Rarely A Problem	3 - Frequent Problem	4 - Serious Problem	5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Managing for value and maximizing company valuation	Managing for value and maximizing company valuation : 1 - Not A Problem	Managing for value and maximizing company valuation : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Managing for value and maximizing company valuation : 3 - Frequent Problem	Managing for value and maximizing company valuation : 4 - Serious Problem	Managing for value and maximizing company valuation : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Choosing industry sectors, subsectors in which to invest	Choosing industry sectors, subsectors in which to invest: 1 - Not A Problem	Choosing industry sectors, subsectors in which to invest: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Choosing industry sectors, subsectors in which to invest: 3 - Frequent Problem	Choosing industry sectors, subsectors in which to invest: 4 - Serious Problem	Choosing industry sectors, subsectors in which to invest: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Understanding industry growth at my level for better planning and budgeting	Understanding industry growth at my level for better planning and budgeting : 1 - Not A Problem	Understanding industry growth at my level for better planning and budgeting : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Understanding industry growth at my level for better planning and budgeting : 3 - Frequent Problem	Understanding industry growth at my level for better planning and budgeting : 4 - Serious Problem	Understanding industry growth at my level for better planning and budgeting : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Benchmarking and leveraging into planning actions	Benchmarking and leveraging into planning actions : 1 - Not A Problem	Benchmarking and leveraging into planning actions : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Benchmarking and leveraging into planning actions : 3 - Frequent Problem	Benchmarking and leveraging into planning actions : 4 - Serious Problem	Benchmarking and leveraging into planning actions : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT ANALYSIS)	Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT ANALYSIS) : 1 - Not A Problem	Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT ANALYSIS) : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT ANALYSIS) : 3 - Frequent Problem	Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT ANALYSIS) : 4 - Serious Problem	Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT ANALYSIS) : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Competitors	Competitors : 1 - Not A Problem	Competitors : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Competitors : 3 - Frequent Problem	Competitors : 4 - Serious Problem	Competitors : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Partners, acquisitions and being acquired	Partners, acquisitions and being acquired : 1 - Not A Problem	Partners, acquisitions and being acquired : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Partners, acquisitions and being acquired : 3 - Frequent Problem	Partners, acquisitions and being acquired : 4 - Serious Problem	Partners, acquisitions and being acquired : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Good strategies vs. bad strategies	Good strategies vs. bad strategies : 1 - Not A Problem	Good strategies vs. bad strategies : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Good strategies vs. bad strategies : 3 - Frequent Problem	Good strategies vs. bad strategies : 4 - Serious Problem	Good strategies vs. bad strategies : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!

5. Operations *This question is required.

Space Cell	1 - Not A Problem	2 - Rarely A Problem	3 - Frequent Problem	4 - Serious Problem	5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Over or under production	Over or under production : 1 - Not A Problem	Over or under production : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Over or under production : 3 - Frequent Problem	Over or under production : 4 - Serious Problem	Over or under production : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Defect waste / DPMO	Defect waste / DPMO: 1 - Not A Problem	Defect waste / DPMO: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Defect waste / DPMO: 3 - Frequent Problem	Defect waste / DPMO: 4 - Serious Problem	Defect waste / DPMO: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Overtime	Overtime: 1 - Not A Problem	Overtime: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Overtime: 3 - Frequent Problem	Overtime: 4 - Serious Problem	Overtime: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Preventive maintenance	Preventive maintenance : 1 - Not A Problem	Preventive maintenance : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Preventive maintenance : 3 - Frequent Problem	Preventive maintenance : 4 - Serious Problem	Preventive maintenance : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Excess inventory	Excess inventory: 1 - Not A Problem	Excess inventory: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Excess inventory: 3 - Frequent Problem	Excess inventory: 4 - Serious Problem	Excess inventory: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Excessive processing	Excessive processing : 1 - Not A Problem	Excessive processing : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Excessive processing : 3 - Frequent Problem	Excessive processing : 4 - Serious Problem	Excessive processing : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Meeting order delivery timeframes	Meeting order delivery timeframes : 1 - Not A Problem	Meeting order delivery timeframes : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Meeting order delivery timeframes : 3 - Frequent Problem	Meeting order delivery timeframes : 4 - Serious Problem	Meeting order delivery timeframes : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Lean and Continuous Improvement	Lean and Continuous Improvement : 1 - Not A Problem	Lean and Continuous Improvement : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Lean and Continuous Improvement : 3 - Frequent Problem	Lean and Continuous Improvement : 4 - Serious Problem	Lean and Continuous Improvement : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Quality certifications including ISO	Quality certifications including ISO: 1 - Not A Problem	Quality certifications including ISO: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Quality certifications including ISO: 3 - Frequent Problem	Quality certifications including ISO: 4 - Serious Problem	Quality certifications including ISO: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Food safety	Food safety: 1 - Not A Problem	Food safety: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Food safety: 3 - Frequent Problem	Food safety: 4 - Serious Problem	Food safety: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Engaged, trained employees active in Kaizen	Engaged, trained employees active in Kaizen: 1 - Not A Problem	Engaged, trained employees active in Kaizen: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Engaged, trained employees active in Kaizen: 3 - Frequent Problem	Engaged, trained employees active in Kaizen: 4 - Serious Problem	Engaged, trained employees active in Kaizen: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Space and layout	Space and layout: 1 - Not A Problem	Space and layout: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Space and layout: 3 - Frequent Problem	Space and layout: 4 - Serious Problem	Space and layout: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Costs including inputs, overhead, lease, machinery, energy	Costs including inputs, overhead, lease, machinery, energy : 1 - Not A Problem	Costs including inputs, overhead, lease, machinery, energy : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Costs including inputs, overhead, lease, machinery, energy : 3 - Frequent Problem	Costs including inputs, overhead, lease, machinery, energy : 4 - Serious Problem	Costs including inputs, overhead, lease, machinery, energy : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Local and State regulations	Local and State regulations : 1 - Not A Problem	Local and State regulations : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Local and State regulations : 3 - Frequent Problem	Local and State regulations : 4 - Serious Problem	Local and State regulations : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!

6. Skills *This question is required.

Space Cell	1 - Not A Problem	2 - Rarely A Problem	3 - Frequent Problem	4 - Serious Problem	5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Quality Management	Quality Management: 1 - Not A Problem	Quality Management: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Quality Management: 3 - Frequent Problem	Quality Management: 4 - Serious Problem	Quality Management: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Kaizen	Kaizen: 1 - Not A Problem	Kaizen: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Kaizen: 3 - Frequent Problem	Kaizen: 4 - Serious Problem	Kaizen: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Leadership Training	Leadership Training : 1 - Not A Problem	Leadership Training : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Leadership Training : 3 - Frequent Problem	Leadership Training : 4 - Serious Problem	Leadership Training : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
I need specific job skills training	I need specific job skills training : 1 - Not A Problem	I need specific job skills training : 2 - Rarely A Problem	I need specific job skills training : 3 - Frequent Problem	I need specific job skills training : 4 - Serious Problem	I need specific job skills training : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Collaboration among teams	Collaboration among teams: 1 - Not A Problem	Collaboration among teams: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Collaboration among teams: 3 - Frequent Problem	Collaboration among teams: 4 - Serious Problem	Collaboration among teams: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Managerial skills	Managerial skills: 1 - Not A Problem	Managerial skills: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Managerial skills: 3 - Frequent Problem	Managerial skills: 4 - Serious Problem	Managerial skills: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Sales skills	Sales skills: 1 - Not A Problem	Sales skills: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Sales skills: 3 - Frequent Problem	Sales skills: 4 - Serious Problem	Sales skills: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!

7. Digital Transformation and Automation *This question is required.

Space Cell	1 - Not A Problem	2 - Rarely A Problem	3 - Frequent Problem	4 - Serious Problem	5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Manufacturing Workflow	Manufacturing Workflow : 1 - Not A Problem	Manufacturing Workflow : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Manufacturing Workflow : 3 - Frequent Problem	Manufacturing Workflow : 4 - Serious Problem	Manufacturing Workflow : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Data Collection	Data Collection : 1 - Not A Problem	Data Collection : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Data Collection : 3 - Frequent Problem	Data Collection : 4 - Serious Problem	Data Collection : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Auto Quotation	Auto Quotation : 1 - Not A Problem	Auto Quotation : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Auto Quotation : 3 - Frequent Problem	Auto Quotation : 4 - Serious Problem	Auto Quotation : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
IT Audit	IT Audit: 1 - Not A Problem	IT Audit: 2 - Rarely A Problem	IT Audit: 3 - Frequent Problem	IT Audit: 4 - Serious Problem	IT Audit: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Highly repetitive work cells ideal for automation	Highly repetitive work cells ideal for automation: 1 - Not A Problem	Highly repetitive work cells ideal for automation: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Highly repetitive work cells ideal for automation: 3 - Frequent Problem	Highly repetitive work cells ideal for automation: 4 - Serious Problem	Highly repetitive work cells ideal for automation: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Digital Transformation Roadmap plan with estimated costs	Digital Transformation Roadmap plan with estimated costs : 1 - Not A Problem	Digital Transformation Roadmap plan with estimated costs : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Digital Transformation Roadmap plan with estimated costs : 3 - Frequent Problem	Digital Transformation Roadmap plan with estimated costs : 4 - Serious Problem	Digital Transformation Roadmap plan with estimated costs : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Digital Marketing and Sales	Digital Marketing and Sales : 1 - Not A Problem	Digital Marketing and Sales : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Digital Marketing and Sales : 3 - Frequent Problem	Digital Marketing and Sales : 4 - Serious Problem	Digital Marketing and Sales : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Website	Website: 1 - Not A Problem	Website: 2 - Rarely A Problem	Website: 3 - Frequent Problem	Website: 4 - Serious Problem	Website: 5 - Critical, Must Fix!
Cybersecurity	Cybersecurity : 1 - Not A Problem	Cybersecurity : 2 - Rarely A Problem	Cybersecurity : 3 - Frequent Problem	Cybersecurity : 4 - Serious Problem	Cybersecurity : 5 - Critical, Must Fix!