Ohio Improves CNBC Business Rating

CNBC annually rates our 50 states in 10 categories to decide which state is the best one to do business.
According to this year's report, Ohio came out 23rd, much better than last year's rating of 35. Congrats, everyone! So many people on the ground have participated in making this happen.

The 10 categories were: 1. cost of doing business, 2. workforce, 3. quality of life, 4. infrastructure and transportation, 5. economy, 6. education, 7. technology and innovation, 8. business friendliness, 9. access to capital and 10. cost of living.

Ohio had gains in: 1. cost of doing business, 5. economy, 6. education, 9. access to capital, and 10. cost of living. Of special note, Ohio was rated fourth in 4. infrastructure and transportation and fifth in 1. cost of doing business.

I like the categories listed above as they represent nearly all areas of a business. Companies had to look at many of these through this downturn. However, I am not sure if #8 got it's fair share. I understand that many companies just had to focus so hard on #1, #5, and #9, there was little time for the others. Now, it is time to think of the customer. They must be brought back to their traditional #1 position. If people have less funds for needs and certainly less for discretionary wants, they will go where they are treated with respect.

True story - - My husband and I had an account with "ABC" business. They were ok when it came to customer service. They decided to expand their building and a friend of ours got a cleaning contract to get the new part of the building looking nice for the grand opening. We volunteered to help her. The employees did not recognize us in our cleaning attire. They were not kind, after all we were just the cleaning crew. We ended our association and to this day have not returned.

Profits depend upon relationships. Relationships depend upon trust. Trust depends upon quality and consistency. When making economic cuts, don't cut out the customer.

The list can be seen at: http://www.cnbc.com/id/41666602?__source=msn|topstates|&par=msn