If you haven't yet heard, the AWCCI is asking the 700,000 women running businesses in Australia to stand up and be counted.

Women need to get involved in we want changes to take place; we can no longer afford to stay silent because our communities and our economy rely on women in business more each day.

This is the first national poll done on Women in Business and it will provide a unique opportunity for women to have their say.

While significant information is available on women in leadership and management roles, there is very little data on the hundreds of thousands of women running small to medium-sized business in Australia.

Women in business in urban, remote, regional and rural Australia need to take part in this poll - women play a significant role in our economy and we want to ensure their needs and challenges are recorded in order to be able to advocate for change and provide input into policies and programs needed to assist women in business their growth, their communities and the economy.

The Women in Business Poll will provide a better understanding of the challenges, rewards and opportunities for women running a business across the country. It will explore such issues as how and why women start businesses, in what industries, where the businesses operate, revenue and wages, procurement of contracts, superannuation, childcare issues and more.

We know the significant contribution women make to the economy and to their local communities, often with little support or recognition. Therefore it is critical to the success of the project and for future outcomes that women around the country take part in this important survey.

The research will address areas of disadvantage as well as understand the particular challenges and opportunities that arise for women that are in urban and remote areas.

Governments and industry must have this information in order to support women in business and to understand the barriers they face across this large county of ours.

Ita Buttrose, AWCCI Advisory Board Member, says: "For too long the enterprising women running small to medium-sized business in Australia have not had their voices heard, yet they are important contributors to our country's economy.

"What we do know is that international reports from the World Bank and the OECD say that women are a ‘failsafe investment' and that they have a higher ‘return on investment' than their male counterparts. We also know that women are the biggest consumers in the world and in Australia represent 70 percent of buying power.

"With more and more women than ever before starting up businesses I urge as many women as possible to put aside the time to take part in this survey as the data collected will provide extremely valuable information, " says Ita.

You can access the survey at www.awcci.org.au It will take about 10 minutes to complete and it can be done anonymously or you can enter the draw and be in the running to win great prizes including:

1. A holiday thanks to Wild Bush Luxury, valued at $4,000 (several locations available)
2. Two business-coaching sessions with Avril Henry, valued at $3,000 (Avril is the author of Leadership Revelations: An Australian Perspective and leading management consultant).
3. Office space for three months, thanks to ServCorp, valued at $1,100 (Office available at any Servcorp location in either NSW, VIC or QLD). Terms and conditions apply; please see www.awcci.org.au for further information.

If you know a woman in business, please tell her to raise her voice, because Australia needs to know what women in business need and want.

It is vital for any economy to have a clear understanding of women in business to ensure the prosperity and growth of the Australian economy and its communities.