RichmondGRID.com: New Local Economic Outlook Index For Greater Richmond

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Robins School of Business and Virginia Council of CEOs partner to create quarterly economic outlook index for central Virginia

8/19/2010 7:47:45 AM

CONNECTING LIVE+WORK+PLAY

In a new partnership with the Virginia Council of CEOs, University of Richmond's Robins School of Business has developed an economic outlook survey to help central Virginia companies plan for growth.

The council will survey area business owners and CEOs of mid-sized companies each quarter. Results will be analyzed by Jeff Pollack, assistant professor of management at the Robins School, who created the survey and will develop a resulting economic outlook index. He will base the index on businesses' projected six-month sales, spending and employment figures.

"Our MBA students and faculty have enjoyed interacting with the council's members over the last few years, and a joint research project seemed like a natural evolution in our relationship," said Richard Coughlan, the Robins School's senior associate dean.

Businesses with gross annual revenues of at least $1 million that are not council members are invited to participate in the survey. If enough businesses participate, the council will provide survey results by industry. Participation is free, and all participants will receive copies of the survey data.

"The leaders of entrepreneurial companies need information they can use to make decisions about growth. We know that our members will be able to use data from the new CEO survey to better understand the market and its opportunities, and we are glad to share it with the business community," said Scot McRoberts, executive director of the council.

Business owners and CEOs who would like to participate should contact McRoberts at smcroberts@vaceos.org.

The Virginia Council of CEOs connects CEOs so that they can learn from each other. The Council accomplishes this through confidential peer roundtables and exclusive learning events. Learn more at www.vaceos.org.

The Robins School of Business is the only fully accredited, top-ranked undergraduate business school that also is part of a top-ranked liberal arts university. Business Week ranks both the Robins School's undergraduate and part-time MBA programs among the top 20 in the country. The school's executive education division offers open enrollment courses and customized leadership development programs for individuals and businesses.

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