I conducted my own internal research which included over ten thousand customers in a proprietary database. The results were very similar to the fastest growing cities. I looked at the total number of businesses and organizations using our software as resellers and used the total number of people in each city to determine what I called the IT Index, then I put that against the cost to do business in each city to come up with my own list of best cities for me to focus my marketing efforts and then, as I typically do, I released the data for other small business people to use as a benchmark for which cities are the best ones to do business in for companies that are higher tech in nature.
I conducted my own internal research which included thousands of customers in the Zrinity database. The results were very similar to the fastest growing cities. I looked at the total number of businesses and organizations using our software as resellers and used the total number of people in each city to determine what I called the IT Index, then I put that against the cost to do business in each city to come up with my own list of best cities for me to focus my marketing efforts and then, as I typically do, I released the data for other small business people to use as a benchmark for which cities are the best ones to do business in for companies that are higher tech in nature.
Summary:
Results varied wildly in each table when it was rearranged based upon those who will fly into the cities, those close enough to drive and the IT Index. The table below ranks the cities based upon their average ranking from all three tables. The over all winner, or the only city to rank in the top five on all three list’s is Columbus Ohio. Congratulations Columbus Ohio! Those with an average ranking of five (5) or better,, are represented in red font color. Some businesses will use one, two or all three tables based upon needs assessment. Others might rely upon the compilation table below. My recommendation to the firms I consult with will be a combination of all the tables based upon time and needs. Smaller firms, with less resources, might wish to save time and adhere strictly to the compilation table.
Airline tickets were advanced purchase, round trip from Albany NY. If it is not listed under southwest, the fair has at least one layover, possibly uses multiple carriers and assumes a two night stay. Rates are non-AAA and non-senior. The number of layovers will be denoted with the number that applies, eg. Suites were priced for off peak, late November, but is the best rate we found for greater than a ‘3.5 star’ rated lodge. All suites are either outdoor heated, for down south, or indoor pools, for northern cities. Also, a two night stay was assumed, but the rate quoted above is the base cost per night.
IT index is based upon an approximately 10,000 Zrinity customer’s in the database and is based upon the number of people, or companies, building and using database driven Web site tools in each of the related areas. The list by IT Index is order by cities with over 1 million and then those under 1 million. It is based upon the number of high tech people per million citizens.
Color Guide:
*** Red: Hot: Better Than Average Score: Low Cost
** Black: Average Score: Mediocre Cost
* Blue: Cool: Less Than Average Score: High Cost
Best bang for the buck awards:
Southwest and Continental were by far winners for access to the ‘Best Business Cities’ at low rates with the least number of stops. La Quinta Inn & Suites, Amerisuites and Clubhouse Inn & Suites won for good rates, great suites and amenities and, finally, for proximity to the cities.
References:
Southwest.com - Orbitz.com - TravelHero.com