A Marketing Experiment that became a Home Run

The Long Island Economic Survey and Opinion Poll (Survey) is soon to begin its 17^th year of providing useful information regarding the Long Island economy to Long Island business leaders. Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Company, P.C. (AVZ) and the Townsend School of Business at Dowling College (Dowling) have been partners in the Survey since its inception.

On October 1, 2010, AVZ and Dowling will mail out approximately 6,000 questionnaires to Long Island business owners employing between 25 and 250 employees. We are asking you to stand up and be counted and to have your input included in this year's Survey results. Considering the uncertainty of the economic conditions both nationally and on Long Island, it is more important than ever for us to get a cross section of opinions and results from as many business owners as possible. There has never been a better time for your voice to be heard.

Long Island business owners are the heartbeat of the Nassau/Suffolk economy. Many of these businesses are looking for solutions to help them through this extremely tough economic environment. This survey, which is explicitly designed with you in mind, gathers information that can help you understand the Long Island business/economic climate and ultimately may assist you in making those decisions that can fuel stability and/or growth.

This year's questionnaire will delve into some new areas in order to keep the Survey interesting, dynamic and topical. For example, we will include questions such as: "Do you think we are headed for a double dip recession in the coming year?” What impact has the Health Care Reform Act had on your business? Do you see a major shakeup in the control of the United States Senate or the House of Representatives in the upcoming November elections?

Long Island businesses have always been proactive in seeking solutions during uncertain economic times. In addition to the topics already mentioned, this year as in the past, we will be evaluating a wide range of very important issues. Issues which we believe are critical to understanding the overall market conditions and the mindset which exists in our community. These topics will include pricing and profits, the employment outlook, employee concerns, annual increases, work/life balance, relocation, obstacles and opportunities, confidence in our economy and many other relevant areas of interest.

During October, the results will be pouring in through the mail and through the AVZ website. By the beginning of November, the results will be tabulated and the Survey report will start being written. By the end of November, the Survey report will be printed and sent out as an insert in the December 3^rd issue of the Survey's only sponsor, the Long Island Business News. Past results have also received coverage in Newsday, the New York Times and been broadcasted on WCBS AM radio by Joe Connolly.

During the succeeding months, there will be formal presentations on the Survey to Long Island's business leaders, to trade associations including the Advancement for Commerce, Industry and Technology (ACIT) and the Hauppauge Industrial Association (HIA) as well as to the students in the Saturday MBA program at Dowling College.