Health Care Questions Dampen Confidence
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Business Confidence Index is at a “low, but steady” level compared to previous months. Walker Information Senior Vice President of Marketing Pat Gibbons says survey respondents list uncertainty about changes to health care laws as one of their largest concerns. Businesses also cite the national economy and finding necessary talent as top challenges. Gibbons discussed the index during an interview to air this weekend on Inside INdiana Business Television. The INdiana Business Council is a partnership between Inside INdiana Business and Indianapolis-based Walker.
August 16, 2013
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — The Indiana Business Confidence Index (BCI) is at 62 percent, remaining low, but steady over the previous months. The BCI is a measure of the overall confidence Indiana business leaders and employees have in their company’s opportunity for growth and success in the coming 12 months.
“While it's encouraging that business confidence in Indiana has stabilized, it's clear that Hoosier businesses remain concerned about the national economy,” said Gerry Dick, president of Grow INdiana Media Ventures LLC and host of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick.
The INdiana Business Council’s latest study is a report on the current challenges Indiana businesses are facing. More than 700 members of the statewide, online panel responded to the survey and the results include:
• More than half of respondents said external factors, such as regulations, taxes, and the economy, are the biggest challenges facing their business today. Marketing and selling, people, and customer relationships are the next three in that order.
• Of the external factors, respondents said changes to health care laws are the most common, with 64 percent. They also cited national economy, legislation and regulation.
• The biggest challenges related to marketing and selling are awareness of solution (45 percent), ability to generate necessary leads (40 percent) and price pressure (37 percent).
• The ability to find necessary talent is the top challenge associated with people, with 52 percent.
• The top three customer challenges are to be more in sync with customers, improve how they are managed and improve customer retention.
To receive more information on the BCI and the study, or to apply to participate on the council, visit www.INdianaBusinessCouncil.com.
The INdiana Business Council is an online panel of approximately 5,300 Indiana business professionals that is surveyed on important business and economic issues throughout the year. Feedback from the panel is analyzed, interpreted and published by Walker and Inside INdiana Business. The INdiana Business Council is a partnership between Inside INdiana Business and Indianapolis-based Walker.
About Inside INdiana Business
More people get their Indiana business news from Inside INdiana Business than from any other source. With a fully-integrated portfolio of television, radio, Internet and permission-based email products, Inside INdiana Business is trusted by an educated and affluent audience around Indiana and the globe. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Inside INdiana Business’ platform of daily business news products can be watched, heard and read in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois (including Chicagoland), Ohio and Kentucky as well as business centers worldwide.
About Walker
Walker is a consulting firm specializing in customer intelligence. Helping businesses for more than 70 years, Walker’s diverse team of consultants provides tailored, comprehensive solutions to help companies achieve their business objectives and grow shareholder value. Walker specializes in customer retention and growth, using predictive analytics and other innovative approaches. Walker works with some of the world’s most influential businesses as well as emerging organizations of all sizes. For more information, please visit www.walkerinfo.com.
Sources: Walker Information, Inside INdiana Business