2014 Star Tribune survey questions

The mail survey, conducted by Star Trib­une researchers in March and April, was sent to 110 publicly held Minnesota-based companies. Thirty-nine companies responded for a response rate of 36 percent. Not all companies responded to all questions. Overall, the views appear to represent the different industries but might underrepresent the views of larger companies.

1. Please rate each of the following public policy issues according to how important it is to your business.

Scale:

3. Very important; 2. Important; 1. Somewhat important; 0. Not at all important.

Economy2.74

Hiring /retaining workers2.68

Health care benefits2.47

Education2.12

State tax rates2.00

Wage Rates1.94

Transportation1.38

2. What are your company's plans for capital spending in the next 12 months?

No significant changes45.7%

Decrease capital spending8.6%

3. What are your company's hiring plans for the next 12 months? Check one

Increase head count 50%

Keep staff levels same44.1%

4. Does the cost of health care influence your decision to add employees? Check one

Some influence58.8%

Little or no influence29.4%

Significant influence11.8%

5. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce supports raising the state's minimum wage to the current federal rate of $7.25. Does your company agree or disagree with the chamber's proposal?

Disagree28.6%

6. Businesses face pressure on many economic and political fronts. Please rank how significant these pressures are on your business.

Scale

3. Very important; 2. Important; 1. Somewhat important; 0. Not at all important.

The U.S. economy2.72

Health care2.03

Global competition2.00

Energy costs1.94

Digital security1.82

The Minnesota economy1.81

Housing slump1.44

Climate change0.84

7. In the coming year (2014) what is the sales outlook for your company? Check one:

Better than last year 82.4%

About same as last year17.6%

8. Compared with a year ago (2013), does your business or industry have more or less access to capital? Check one:

About the same68.8%

More access 31.3%

Less access0.0%

9. Does your company offer a wellness program to employees?

No27.3%

10. Do you agree or disagree that wellness programs help to reduce health care costs? Check one:

Agree86.2%

Disagree13.8%

11. In the next 12 months, how does your company plan to allocate excess capital? Check any that apply:

Make acquisitions 9.1%

Increase dividend3%

Buy back shares3%