BIDs Annual Research. A project for the Auckland Council BID Team November 2018

Transcription

1 BIDs Annual Research A project for the Auckland Council BID Team November 2018

2 Table of contents Introduction Summary of key findings and insights Assistance expected from BID Programme team BID involvement with CCOs and Local Board Plans Touchpoints for BIDs

3 Introduction

4 Background Through the Business Improvement District (BID) programme, Auckland Council is working with business districts to improve the local business environment and grow the regional economy. This programme creates a partnership between the council and business associations, which are separate entities. There are currently 48 BIDs in Auckland, representing over 25,000 businesses with a combined capital value estimated at $24 billion. Each BID represents businesses in a business town centre or local area who pay a targeted rate to be members of the BID. These funds go towards initiatives such as community events, retail drives/competitions, CCTV, security, etc. Auckland is growing fast with another one million people expected in the next 30 years. This growth means challenges and opportunities for town centres and key business areas. Therefore, the Auckland Council BID Team has undertaken research amongst its BID Managers to better understand how to meet the needs of their members in this changing environment of increasing growth and diversity.

5 About this survey Online survey of 29 BID Managers Conducted from a survey list provided by the BID team Average time to complete the survey: 15 minutes Fieldwork: 15 October to 9 November, 2018 Even though the base size is small, 29 out of 48 BIDs have participated in the survey which gives us a very high participation rate of 60%. The results show indicative views and sentiments of BID Managers who are both experienced as well as relatively new in the role. Total Base: N=29 BID Representatives

6 Summary of key findings and insights

7 Summary (I) Almost 2 in 3 BIDs require assistance to build pro-active engagement with AT and ATEED. The sentiment is that BIDs are either left out of planning stage or contacted too late in the process. Type of assistance expected from BID programme team covers wide range of needs from day-to-day planning to big picture thinking, such as : Training on 'how to' improve marketing Support to get the voice of the BIDs heard among CCOs Guidance on 'how to' align with Local Board and collaborate with other BIDS Support requested from BID team is around sharing the best practices and case studies to improve understanding of board members. Almost 9 in 10 BIDs are open to the possibility of working with other BIDs to share ideas, leverage resources and amplify their voice. BIDs on North Shore are perceived to be collaborating more and more. Overall, there is high interest in working with BIDs who have presence or proximity to Central Auckland so that business development opportunities can be explored by BIDs located elsewhere in Auckland.

8 Summary (II) Almost all BIDs are interested in reading more news, views and innovation around Council and CCOs. Almost all BIDs are happy with the frequency of monthly newsletter. 8 in 10 are happy with length of the newsletter. Almost all BIDs find website content helpful. Overall, the majority of feedback is positive with BID Managers appreciative of the support they get from the BID team o However, there is some feedback in terms of evolving the BID programme to respond to the changing business landscape

9 Assistance expected from BID Programme team

10 Around 9 out of 10 BIDs receive BID payments on time and this timely support from BID Programme team is also reflected in positive comments for the team Total Base: N=29 BID Representatives

11 Comments on Auckland BID programme: mostly positive responses - Yes, I am feeling we are all feeling so frustrated with the lack of respect the BIDS are afforded from council and CCO's, it seems like we are getting no where and the image has not improved at all - Your'e all doing a great job and I appreciate the support!!! - Can we have some BID meetings away from the city. It is very hard to get to for those that are a distance from the city at tha time of the day. - keep up the good work - I really want to congratulate and thank you all for your time, effort and support - you are a great team and I appreciate all your help and assistance thank you :) - Most shop owners in our BID still do not understand what it is or what it means - some basic understanding would be good. A booklet or similar. - I'd like to attend an annual placemaking / stakeholder engagement / BID improvement district workshop/networking event etc. I heard there was one in Perth this year but that is cost prohibitive for my BID. It's really important to be given opportunities to network and upskill and refuel passion and the monthly meetings don't necessarily meet this need. I wonder whether there is AC budget to support BID Managers to attend an annual event. - Awesome program - Pretty happy with the current set up, possibly a training session or meeting set up for board chairs might be interesting. - Looking forward to understanding it more and how it can benefit me and my role as a BID manager. Have felt very overwhelmed at times with the amount that has to be achieved as only a part time role. Lack of enthusiasm from retailers hasn t helped but really like hearing from other BID members - will need to attend more networking meetings as struggle to get to these with time pressures - Yes I want the BID team to advocate for streamlining services between council and BID managers. All BIDS seem to have similar issues. VERY happy with Claire Siddens support and mentoring - keep up the good work - Its potentially too big at the moment. I have nothing in common with Torbay but I do with Otahuhu. In some respects it feels as though the program as a whole has stalled. I think Local Boards have been the cause of that. - Closer collaboration on aspects such as Audit fees paid, demands from AK Council to ensure NZPost and their courier drivers deliver AGM invitations in a timely manner. - I LOVE the newsletter and so does our board and staff. It is a great innovation. The meetings in Auckland central were easier to get to than I expected, and parking is also easy in Aotea centre. Our meeting room is good too. The BID team are always helpful and responsive by phone, and in person. I would like to see a major focus this year on helping CCOs to understand what BIDs are, and to build really close, productive working relationships between us and them. We are all part of the Auckland Council family and we should be much better joined up. Thank you, BID Team, for your hard work this year - it is much appreciated :) Best wishes Kerry and the Business Manukau Team

12 Themes related to CCO i.e. Auckland Transport and ATEED get a much higher priority than others Total Base: N=29 BID Representatives

13 Expected assistance around selected themes (1)

14 Expected assistance around selected themes (2)

15 Expected assistance around selected themes (3)

16 Business Association financial reports, strategic plans and budgets are provided to almost all members Total Base: N=29 BID Representatives

17 Additional info. to assist board members - On site training or seminar provided to board members - Would just go to Local Board to get this information if members wanted to pursue this course or go to BID team for information - I would find it helpful to know what other BID's do, is there a best practice model. - governance induction and training information please - Conflict of interest - not for profit legal examples and relevant information to be able to start a conversation with the board - More clarity on the responsibility of being a board member - ie. Board members should have no self-interest. - Early intervention after AGM to ensure new board members understand to trust the system - Encourage people to even become board members it s hard to attract new members - Best business practice - summary booklet of BIDs and targeted levy calculation methodology - None, this has been successful. - it would be good to know how other BIDs structure their boards. eg: how many on their boards, are they paid? how do they select / recruit them - What is the recommended gender balance

18 Council customer services and Auckland Transport are sought after topics for further information Total Base: N=29 BID Representatives

19 Specific info. on given topics (1)

20 Specific info. on given topics (2)

21 High interest shown by BIDs to collaborate on other BID programmes (especially related to Central Auckland) Total Base: N=29 BID Representatives

22 BID involvement with CCOs and Local Board Plans

23 Next 12 months ATEED initiatives & Desired outcomes (1)

24 Next 12 months AT initiatives & Desired outcomes (2)

25 Next 12 months Arts, Culture, Events initiatives & Desired outcomes (3)

26 Next 12 months CCO initiatives & Desired outcomes (4)

27 Involvement with Local Board Plans Last 12 months

28 Involvement with Local Board Plans Next 12 months

29 Touchpoints for BIDs

30 Almost all the content presented via BID website and newsletter is finding traction with readers Total Base: N=29 BID Representatives

31 BID newsletter frequency and overall website content get high marks, only area of improvement seems to be length of newsletter for a small minority Total Base: N=29 BID Representatives

32 Suggestions for content

33 Thank You