COLUMBIA, S.C. — Is your business affected by supply chain issues? Can't keep or hire staff? Worrying about inflation?
These are some of the issues facing businesses of all sizes across the nation. Here in South Carolina, the SC Chamber of Commerce and SC Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) want to better understand the business climate in the state -- what issues employers are facing and inform the public about the state's economy and workforce.
In order to do so, SC Chamber and DEW have partnered to launch Palmetto Business Barometer (PBB) survey, a voluntary, confidential monthly survey series that employers and business owners can fill out so that the SC Chamber and DEW can get a better picture of the state's business situation. The SC Chamber will manage the PBB and DEW will analyze the data to identify how business conditions, needs and expectations are changing. Aggregate data will be published online, but individual responses will be confidential.
The data will be used to inform state policymakers and advocates as well as benefit South Carolina employers by providing useful comparisons to other business practices around the state.
“This survey is a great opportunity to hear directly from businesses on what challenges they are facing and what best practices work for them,” said S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce Executive Director Dan Ellzey. “By making the survey results public, we are helping employers compare notes, as well as understand what others in the state are doing right that they can emulate and improve upon. Regardless of the size or industry of your company, your opinion matters and can have a tremendous impact on the growth of South Carolina businesses and state policy.”
“From surveying our membership alone, we know South Carolina businesses are facing many obstacles from rising costs to workforce shortages,” said SC Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Will Frierson. “With economic uncertainty looming in 2023, we need to know what businesses are facing on the frontlines and how conditions are changing for better or for worse. This survey will allow us to track trends and advocate for real solutions based off clear data.”
The first round of the PBB is live now and takes about two or three minutes to complete. Employers have until Sunday, Jan. 22, to fill out the 12-question survey. The February PBB will go live on Feb. 6, and will continue to open on the first full week of each month throughout 2023 for each new survey round.
