Business owners try to compete using different business strategies. On a scale of 1 to 7 with 1 meaning it plays no part in your competitive strategy and 7 meaning it is your entire competitive strategy, how are you trying to compete? Are you trying to compete using:?
Unique marketing

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) Our business doesn’t need much marketing. Our products or services sell without having to do much.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) Our business has a separate, annual marketing budget item within the overall budget.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) Everyone in this firm makes customers a top priority.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) We invest in building long-term relationships with our customers.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) It is more expensive to retain a current customer than to acquire a new one.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) Long-term growth is more important than immediate profits.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) It is easier to get a new customer than it is to keep an older one.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) Most of our marketing decisions are based on what we learn from day-to-day customer contact.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) We aggressively try to expand our present customer base.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) We face tough competitors in our markets.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) Introducing new products or services usually involves little formal market research and analysis.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) We consistently look for new business opportunities.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) Our marketing efforts try to lead customers rather than respond to them.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) We use our key industry friends and partners extensively to help us develop and market our products and services.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) We don’t think much about longer-term marketing objectives as much as we should.

Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement about marketing as it is done in your business.
(marketing perspective) Most of our marketing decisions are based on exchanging information with those in our personal and professional network.

If respondent has heard of SBA AND has participated in any SBA or SBA-sponsored program or activity in the last three years.
Of the SBA-related programs or activities in which you have participated, what was the topic most important to you?

If the business is a C-corporation.
Do one or more of your Board members have marketing or sales expertise?

Let’s talk about long-term formal and informal cooperative agreements with other businesses.
How many marketing agreements with other businesses does your firm currently hold?

If respondent's firm has a current alliance that is at least one year old.

I want to ask you about that alliance.
What type of alliance was it?

If respondent or business is a member of a business, trade or professional organization.

On a scale of one-to-five, with 5 meaning very important and 1 meaning not at all important, how important is it to you that your organization/at least one of your organizations:?
(reason to join) Offers useful management or marketing ideas.

About how many years of ________ experience did you have before going into this business OR didn’t you have any?
(prior experience) Sales or marketing.

In the last year did you solicit advice about aspects of your business from:?
(solicit advice from) A management, marketing or financial consultant.

In the last year, did you receive any HELPFUL, UNSOLICITED advice on an important aspect of your business from:?
(unsolicited advice) A management, marketing, or financial consultant.