MORE than three-quarters (77 per cent) of Wiltshire businesses believe social media is an effective business development and marketing tool, according to the latest Wiltshire Business Barometer.

The quarterly barometer run by Swindon and Marlborough-based law firm Withy King in association with Wiltshire Business magazine, canvasses the views of business leaders on turnover, headcount and investment plans as well as hot topics.

The results of the latest barometer is being published this week in a four page feature in Wiltshire Business.

“We are interested to hear what trading conditions are like for businesses in Wiltshire and to hear their views on topical issues,” said Malcolm Gregory, partner and head of the corporate commercial team at Withy King in Swindon.

“We had a great response to our first and second surveys and hope businesses will continue to support the barometer every quarter and help to build a regional picture which is thought-provoking and benefits us all .” In exchange for completing the short, online survey, businesses are entered into a prize draw and offered opportunities to be profiled within the four-page results write-up, free of charge.

There is also a LinkedIn group entitled Wiltshire Business Barometer designed to provide a forum for discussions and networking. To find out more or take part in the next barometer, email wiltshirebarometer@withyking.co.uk.

Wiltshire based businesses are urged to encourage the use of social media for their own benefit in a four page report in the latest of the Wiltshire Business magazine which came out this week.

The quarterly Wiltshire Business Barometer, run by law firm Withy King in association with Wiltshire Business magazine, is a survey designed to provide a snapshot of what’s going on in the area and social media is the hottet topic.

Information is provided by a number of businesses and what they have to say. Their views are shared with all respondents through the four-page feature in the magazine. There are also opportunities for respondents to contribute to future editorial, as well as to network with other regional businesses using the LinkedIn group Wiltshire Business Barometer.

“We are all interested to hear first hand what trading conditions are like for fellow businesses in Wiltshire and to hear their views on the latest topical issues,” said Malcolm Gregory, the head of the corporate commercial team at Withy King in Swindon.

“We had a great response to our first survey and hope businesses will give up a few minutes of their time once a quarter, to build a regional picture which is thought-provoking and benefits us all.” The barometer is anonymous, although respondents are invited to participate in the PR which accompanies it on a regular basis.