Salisbury and District Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES)

Draft Questions for Board Discussion/Addition/Amendment and Approval
Important Notice: Your responses to this questionnaire are treated in the
strictest confidence; Information is requested so we can acknowledge your
involvement and prevent unnecessary duplication of effort.

Member Information

Name of Organisation


Main Contact


Market in which business operates


Number of Staff


Sales/Invoicing

S1. Excluding seasonal variations, over the last 3 months, sales/invoicing are:

	Up
	Same
	Down

S2. Excluding seasonal variations, over the last 3 months, advanced sales/orders/work in
progress are:

	Up
	Same
	Down

S3. Excluding seasonal variations, over the last 3 months, export sales/orders/work in progress is:

	Up
	Same
	Down

Employment

E1. Over the past three months, your workforce has:

	Increased
	Remained Constant
	Decreased

E2. Over the next 3 months, do you expect your workforce to:

	Increased
	Remained Constant
	Decreased

E3. Have you attempted to recruit staff over the past 3 months? Yes/No

	Yes
	No

E4. If yes, what positions were they for?
(select more than one)

	Part Time
	Full Time
	Temporary
	Permanent

E5. Did you experience any difficulties in finding suitable staff?

	Yes
	No

Cashflow

C1. During the last three months has your cash flow:

	Improved
	Remained the Same
	Deteriorated

Profitability

P1. During the last three months has your profitability:
Improved/Remained the Same/Deteriorated

	Improved
	Remained the Same
	Deteriorated

Investment

Over the past 3 months, what changes have you made to your investment plans:
I1a. For Plant, Machinery and Office/Shop Equipment:

	Revised Upwards
	Revised Downwards
	No Change

I1b. For Training:

	Revised Upwards
	Revised Downwards
	No Change

Confidence

Do you believe that over the next 12 months:
C1a. Turnover will:

	Improve
	Remain the same
	Decline

C1b. Profitability will:
Improve/Remain the same/Decline

	Improve
	Remain the same
	Decline

Resources

R1. Are you currently working at:

	Full Capacity
	Below full capacity

Prices and Costs

PC1. Over the next three months, do you expect the price of your goods and services to:

	Increase
	Remain the same
	Decrease

PC2. Is your business currently suffering pressures to raise its prices from any of the
following (select all that apply):

	Pay settlements
	Raw materials prices
	Finance costs
	Other overheads

External Factors

EF1. Please indicate which of the following are more of a concern to you now compared to
3 months ago (please tick all that apply):

	Interest rates
	Exchange rates
	Business rates
	Inflation
	Competition
	Corporate taxation
	Better industrial relations
	Improved cash availability.