Small Business Seminars

Selling your business could be the single most important decision you make, so it’s important to be prepared. You will learn the keys to successfully preparing your business for sale, possible options other than selling, the nuts and bolts of selling a business, who your key advisors should be, what to expect during the due diligence stage, at the offer stage and at closing. Explore the basics of valuations and understand what Buyers look for. This informative seminar will prepare you to maximize the successful sale of your business and manage your exit plan and strategy.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Learn about the fundamentals of selling goods and services to the Government of Canada. This seminar provides information on how to market to the federal government, how the government does its buying, and how to keep track of opportunities to bid on Canadian government purchases. This the first seminar in the series of three seminars on information about working with the Public Works.

Do you have a special skill, ability; talent that you feel can serve others and earn an income? Consider the consulting and contracting field. Come to this session to learn how to transition your skills into an income stream, price your service, and learn where to find clients. Establish your business, build your market and hear from the experts about their many experiences of running a consulting business.  Presented by Dave Schulte and Ian Marshall of Vancouver Consultants, a membership organization with a mandate to provide the best vehicle to connect independent professional consultants to the market in order to facilitate and enhance opportunities for both.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Financial Analysis will look at the nature of your earnings; cost behavior and how to use this information to diagnose the financial health of your business. Identify relevant costs and revenues for decisions such as adding or dropping product lines, outsourcing, or organizational restructuring. Topics Include: Income Statement Ratios with Percent to Sales Ratios, Balance Sheet Ratios with Quick, Current and Debt to Equity, Working Capital Ratios, AR, AP, and Inventory Turnover. This session focuses on the overall health of the business and is done using key business ratios. By the end of the program, you will and understand how to calculate ratios, how to interpret them against history and benchmarks, and how to apply these concepts to your business the very next day.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Congratulations you are starting a small business and want a step by step guide to starting right. The first seminar in the series, Start Smart 1, will help you understand the broad scope of the requirements that are required to register and run a small business in British Columbia as well as an introduction to evaluating your business idea. The second seminar in the series, Start Smart 2, discusses running a small business, intellectual property, patents, trademarks as well as employment standards and legalities for small business. The third seminar in the series, Start Smart 3, evaluates your business idea and looks at primary and secondary methods of research. Presented by Small Business BC representatives, eBusiness Connection, WorkSafe BC, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Oyen Wiggs Green and Mutala, LPP and the Vancouver Public Library.

This seminar covers basic small business start-up information and is designed for the client in the thinking stage of starting a business. Included in this seminar is an overview of all the basic requirements including: name registry, business structures, municipal licensing requirements, insurance, GST, PST, labour requirements, and employment standards. Small Business BC resources are highlighted with emphasis on business planning tools, eBusiness resources, market research, business planning and trade services, a demonstration of our website(s) and methods to evaluate your business idea and its viability in the market place.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

This seminar covers basic small business start-up information and is designed for the client in the thinking stage of starting a business. Included in this seminar is an overview of all the basic requirements including: name registry, business structures, municipal licensing requirements, insurance, GST, PST, labour requirements, and employment standards. Small Business BC resources are highlighted with emphasis on business planning tools, eBusiness resources, market research, business planning and trade services, a demonstration of our website(s) and methods to evaluate your business idea and its viability in the market place.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Come to this seminar and learn how to protect your brand through patent registration, and other forms of intellectual property protection. This seminar will discuss the difference between trademark and patents and the benefits and process of registration. It will also look at steps to take when you believe someone is infringing your intellectual property.   This seminar is designed for those investing in protecting their business assets through patent applications.

Carbon neutral business...eco-efficiency, triple-bottom line management... What does all this jargon mean ...and why should you care? Consumers are becoming more discerning about the environmental performance of businesses; even in the midst of this economic down turn consumers are seeking green brands. How will this shift in public interest impact your business and how can you capitalize on it? This workshop will introduce you to opportunities and challenges of greening your business. We'll examine what businesses in BC are doing to go green and explore eco-efficiency options for your own business.Maureen Cureton, Green Business Manager for Vancity facilitates this session drawing on her experience with the local small business community. This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.
 

Pre requisite to this seminar is: How to Do Business with the Federal Government.

MERX is the most complete source of Government of Canada tenders. Access to these federal government tenders is free and this seminar explains how entrepreneurs can register in the system and quickly evaluate opportunities. MERX has leveled the playing field so that businesses of any size can have easy and affordable access to billions of dollars in contracting opportunities with the Government of Canada. Join us on a guided demonstration of the MERX system.

This seminar also includes:
*1 - an online demonstration of the Supplier Registration Information (SRI) service and
*2 - a demonstration of the Government Electronic Tendering system (MERX™).

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Come to this seminar to learn how to maximize your effectiveness at trade shows. Subjects include: How to design and layout a trade booth; Being creative with low cash alternatives; How to setup your booth so it attracts clients; How to engage clients in discussion; How to work the show and How to know which shows will work for you.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

What is your brand? How do you build one? Why are some brands more successful than others? To build a solid business you need a clear vision of who your clients are and what you will do for them. This is your BRAND PROMISE! Come to this seminar and learn how to build a brand that reflects your business.Delivered by Angela Bains brings over 24 years of experience in design and communications to her role as brand strategist.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

This unique and interactive Young Entrepreneurs Start-Up Workshop will help you understand the broad scope of requirements needed to run a small business and financing options offered by the Canadian Youth Business Foundation for youth between the ages of 19-34 years.  You will then hear from a panel of young entrepreneurs who will share their journey and experiences of operating their successful businesses followed by a networking lunch reception 1130-1230 at the Vancouver location.

Building your business through alliances and partnerships is part of a good marketing strategy. This business development tool has the ability to exponentially grow your business while developing healthy community alliances. Learn what constitutes a successful alliance, how to approach and measure the effectiveness of the relationship.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Wanting to find new ways to interact with your customer online? This seminar will give you some tools that will help you share news and information about your company. RSS Feeds -What are they, how to put one on your website? Blogs and their types, content, comments, RSS, SEO benefits and distribution methods.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Do you need money to finance your new small business venture? Want to know more about finance opportunities out there? This workshop will describe opportunities from loans to venture capital that could help you and your business get started and grow. Presented by Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada), CYBF (Canada Youth Business Foundation), WEC (Women’s Enterprise Centre). Learn from the financers what you need to sell your business idea and get the funding you need to get started on your business venture.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Come to this seminar to learn how to write for the web. Studies show web viewers spend only seconds on websites reading the content. This seminar will help you condense your content and layout your website so you’re most important information is viewed first.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Starting a business is an exciting time, establishing your financial records and bookkeeping system should be one of the first orders of business.  You will need to establish a separate bank account, put together a filing system, decide how to Invoice your clients. These are all parts of your business strategy. Come to this seminar to learn the different financial statements your company will need. Gain an understanding of the components and difference between the balance sheet, the income statement and understand what a cash flow statement is. Learn how daily business transactions affect your financial statements and review CRAs requirements for record keeping.

Life is risky; entrepreneurs know all about taking risk and reaping rewards. Protecting yourself and your business is an important factor to the success of your business. Legal requirements regarding intellectual property, trademarks, patents and designs will be discussed as well as the BBB benefits to cosumer and business owner.  This seminar is designed for the launching business client who is working on a business plan and is presented by WorkSafeBC, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Oyen Wiggs Green Mutala LLP, BBB and Small Business BC representatives.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Starting a business is an exciting time, establishing your financial records and bookkeeping system should be one of the first orders of business.  You will need to establish a separate bank account, put together a filing system, decide how to Invoice your clients. These are all parts of your business strategy. Come to this seminar to learn the different financial statements your company will need. Gain an understanding of the components and difference between the balance sheet, the income statement and understand what a cash flow statement is. Learn how daily business transactions affect your financial statements and review CRAs requirements for record keeping.

The ability to manage your finances and make effective management decisions is the basis for your business success. It requires solid information that good bookkeeping provides. Attending this seminar is a step in understanding how to grow your business. We will breakdown the components of both your balance sheet and income statement into account type. Review a general ledger and learn when it is a debit and when it is a credit. We will discover what information can be gleamed from a properly structured chart of accounts, and learn how to code expenses correctly. An introduction to accounting software that will assist you in managing your business successfully, and discuss why hiring a bookkeeper is a good investment in your company.

The ability to manage your finances and make effective management decisions is the basis for your business success. It requires solid information that good bookkeeping provides. Attending this seminar is a step in understanding how to grow your business. We will breakdown the components of both your balance sheet and income statement into account type. Review a general ledger and learn when it is a debit and when it is a credit. We will discover what information can be gleamed from a properly structured chart of accounts, and learn how to code expenses correctly. An introduction to accounting software that will assist you in managing your business successfully, and discuss why hiring a bookkeeper is a good investment in your company.

Are you considering importing as a component of your small business but don't know where to begin? Come to this introductory seminar to learn about some of the technical aspects of importing commercial goods into Canada. Topics include; developing an import business plan, dealing with customs brokers and international freight forwarders, means of payment, Incoterms, import regulations and documentation required by Canada Customs, along with relevant regulations on specific products.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Human Resource is quickly emerging as one of the most important aspects of small business growth.  Recruiting good people to work in the right environment is pinnacle in the growth of your business. Along with an extensive section on recruiting/ interviewing / motivating and growing productive employees, you will be introduced to Small Business HR Experts who can help you avoid bad hires and recommend good HR systems and strategies for your business.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Come to this session ready to research your business and prepare the market research section of your business plan. You will be introduced to primary and secondary research methods that will continue to evaluate your business idea. Market research is an important part of your business plan since it offers an in-depth study of your business. It will save you time and money and give you a real sense of what your competitors are doing as well as what your customers need. Market research will also inform your marketing effort that is, after carefully studying your industry, competitors and customers; you will have a much clearer idea of how to target those areas most effectively.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Prerequisites to this seminar are: How to Do Business With the Federal Government and MERX - The Government Electronic Tendering Service

Understanding the Procurement Process and Responding to Bids provides businesses general advice and guidance on how to analyze the Request for Proposal (RFP) process and requirements, how to respond to a request to proposal (RFP), and how bids are evaluated.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Come to this seminar and analyze your business ideas, discover new markets and answer the what if’s to the success of your new venture. Identify the full scope of your idea and assess the financial viability of your business idea. Learn how to create a profile of your customer, list and describe the features of your product or service; define the main geographic area you intend to sell to during your first year. Consider the opportunities for your business including - capitalizing on a growth trend, cover market gaps or shortages, transfer a concept from one industry to another or serve unique client groups.

Questions to get you thinking:

What is your immediately addressable market?
Who will be your first customer?
How will you move from that first customer to the 10th and 100th?
What is the cost of acquiring a new customer?
What if your direct competitors find a way to undersell you? What will you do to remain competitive?
 
This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Looking to expand your product beyond a local market to another province, the US or internationally? Come to this seminar and explore the methods necessary to manage the flow of goods, information, and finances. Working with the 4Ps of business this seminar will help evaluate if your product has a place in an international market. This workshop will introduce you to the benefits associated with managing a global supply chain and what happens to your cash flow when entering a global market. The information supplied will assist a company’s first attempts to move into international trade. 

Considering selling your product online?  Concerned about security online? Are you already using PayPal? Do you need a merchant account? This seminar will take you behind the scenes of an online payment system and show you how transactions are processed, credit cards are charged and how to handle taxes and shipping.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

At what financial point in your business is it a good idea to incorporate and separate your bank account from your business? This seminar discusses the advantages of moving your proprietorship to a corporation. Learn about the taxable advantages of being a registered corporation.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Come to this session ready to research your business and prepare the market research section of your business plan. You will be introduced to primary and secondary research methods that will continue to evaluate your business idea. Market research is an important part of your business plan since it offers an in-depth study of your business. It will save you time and money and give you a real sense of what your competitors are doing as well as what your customers need. Market research will also inform your marketing effort that is, after carefully studying your industry, competitors and customers; you will have a much clearer idea of how to target those areas most effectively.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Are you considering buying a business or starting one from scratch? Learn the advantages and disadvantages of both. Find out why buying a business could be the right thing to do and what to look for, why cash flow is important and what it means, the necessary steps in the buying process, who your key advisors should be, what’s involved in due diligence, how to make an offer, the keys to successfully buying a business and much more. Buying a business is a risky business and a serious investment. Educate yourself in the process and maximize your potential for success.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Come to this seminar and learn how to protect your business brand. Understand who owns your IP - you, your business, your employees or the consultants you have hired to do work for you. Distinguish between copyrights, trademarks and patents and how to decide which will work best for your business. Included is a visit to www.cipo.icigc.ca, an overview of registration procedures, costs and other forms of intellectual property protection. It will also look at steps to take when you believe someone is infringing your intellectual property.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Marketing tells the market what you do and attracts customers to you.  A strong marketing plan is essential for the success of any small business, yet too many business owners waste money on ineffective marketing.   This 3 hour course focuses on tools that allow you to identify profitable target markets and develop an efficient marketing system that will generate customers and revenue with less time and money.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Come to this informational seminar and learn the steps to protecting your business brand. Understand who owns your IP - you, your business, your employees or the consultants you have hired to do work for you. Distinguish between copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets. This seminar is designed to help those new to intellectual property, as a first step visit the CIPO website for an overview on different forms of intellectual property protection. For individual business needs please contact a qualified professional.

Hiring employees for your business? Come to this seminar and learn the differences in employee versus independent contractors and the laws and CRA consequences for each. This seminar will explain the elements of employee law, termination notice periods, severance pay, human rights code, workers compensation board and constructive dismissal. This seminar will touch on intellectual property and the importance of employee agreements to ensure your company knowledge and resources are protected.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.
 

This workshop gives managers the opportunity to clarify their organizational vision, mission, values and goals, and decide if employing generation Y will develop a work environment that matches their organizational objectives. Generation Y is an anomaly in itself and has vastly different needs and wants than previous generations. Synergizing the strengths of cross-generational differences gives businesses the opportunity to evolve. Come to this workshop and understand how the skill-set of Generation Y can propel your business to new heights.

 In this Training Program attendees will learn how to:
• Clarify the diverse wants, needs, values and expectations of Generation Y
• Develop a culture that will be attractive to Generation Y employees
• Build a high retention workforce that reduces turnover
• Empower employees to reach greater levels of productivity leading to higher job satisfaction
• Develop leaders and champions
 

Learn about the fundamentals of selling goods and services to the Government of Canada. This seminar provides information on how to market to the federal government, how the government does its buying, and how to keep track of opportunities to bid on Canadian government purchases. This the first seminar in the series of three seminars on information about working with the Public Works.

Do you have a special skill, ability; talent that you feel can serve others and earn an income? Consider the consulting and contracting field. Come to this session to learn how to transition your skills into an income stream, price your service, and learn where to find clients. Establish your business, build your market and hear from the experts about their many experiences of running a consulting business.  Presented by Dave Schulte and Ian Marshall of Vancouver Consultants, a membership organization with a mandate to provide the best vehicle to connect independent professional consultants to the market in order to facilitate and enhance opportunities for both.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

In this workshop you will define what entrepreneurship is and what it takes for an entrepreneur to be a success in business. This hands-on workshop will look at competencies of entrepreneurs and what motivates you and how your attitudes, abilities and experiences will support your move to being a small business owner. Many tools will be used to understand the nature of small business, why they succeed and fail as well as introduce you to tools that will evaluate you and your business.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

This is a workshop designed for the complete beginner. Learn the basic costs and steps necessary to register your domain, find a hosting company and have your website developed. This seminar will review the different types of websites and options on finding a web designer/developer.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

This workshop covers legal principles and concerns applicable to internet-based businesses/operations. Topics include creating contracts online, including terms and conditions for use of your web site and contracting with your online buyers. Discussion about terms and conditions will include intellectual property claims, limitations of liability and disclaimers regarding use of the site.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

This workshop will examine current websites and identify strengths, weaknesses and design techniques. You will leave this seminar knowing the difference between a static site, dynamic site, use of eCommerce tools, SEO techniques and an introduction to Internet marketing. This is the first seminar in the "How To Get Started" series in the web development process.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Come to this seminar to learn how to write for the web. Studies show web viewers spend only seconds on websites reading the content. This seminar will help you condense your content and layout your website so you’re most important information is viewed first.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

This workshop focuses on understanding social media, what is it and how it’s connecting people. A focus will be given to understanding what opportunities exist for small business owners to leverage social media for business growth and prospecting. Topics covered include privacy and control; social media pit falls and super stars and first steps to social media success. Some tools discussed will be Twitter, Blogs, Facebook, and creating social bookmarks.

Get your web sites working for you! Studies show web viewers spend only seconds on websites reading the content. This seminar will help you condense your content and layout your website so your  most important information is viewed first. Learn how to analyze your web site code, find out what keywords potential customers are searching for, analyze your web site traffic, and make sure you are listed in the right search engines. Interested in clicks and click throughs? In this seminar you will learn how people arrive at your website, how they navigate through your site and how the user interacts with your online buying process? This seminar will help you understand more about your customer through the use of web analytics and server logs.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Pre requisite to this seminar is: How to Do Business with the Federal Government.

MERX is the most complete source of Government of Canada tenders. Access to these federal government tenders is free and this seminar explains how entrepreneurs can register in the system and quickly evaluate opportunities. MERX has leveled the playing field so that businesses of any size can have easy and affordable access to billions of dollars in contracting opportunities with the Government of Canada. Join us on a guided demonstration of the MERX system.

This seminar also includes:
*1 - an online demonstration of the Supplier Registration Information (SRI) service and
*2 - a demonstration of the Government Electronic Tendering system (MERX™).

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

This seminar covers basic small business start-up information and is designed for the client in the thinking stage of starting a business. Included in this seminar is an overview of all the basic requirements including: name registry, business structures, municipal licensing requirements, insurance, GST, PST, labour requirements, and employment standards. Small Business BC resources are highlighted with emphasis on business planning tools, eBusiness resources, market research, business planning and trade services, a demonstration of our website(s) and methods to evaluate your business idea and its viability in the market place.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Attend this seminar to learn about corporations, how to get incorporated and legal tips that will help you with “life after incorporation”.  In this seminar you will learn the advantages of corporations and the roles of shareholders, directors, officers and others in the corporate structure, the essential steps that must be followed to properly create and organize your corporation and the additional steps that may be necessary if you’re incorporating an existing business, e.g. a proprietorship, and the common pitfalls to avoid and the mandatory corporate requirements that must be followed each year to keep your corporation alive and in good standing and some helpful legal tips for carrying on business as a corporate entity after the incorporation is done. This seminar is ideal for anyone who wants to get incorporated properly and learn how to carry on business as a corporate entity!

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Starting a business is an exciting time, establishing your financial records and bookkeeping system should be one of the first orders of business.  You will need to establish a separate bank account, put together a filing system, decide how to Invoice your clients. These are all parts of your business strategy. Come to this seminar to learn the different financial statements your company will need. Gain an understanding of the components and difference between the balance sheet, the income statement and understand what a cash flow statement is. Learn how daily business transactions affect your financial statements and review CRAs requirements for record keeping.

Come to this seminar and learn how to protect your business brand. Understand who owns your IP - you, your business, your employees or the consultants you have hired to do work for you. Distinguish between copyrights, trademarks and patents and how to decide which will work best for your business. Included is a visit to www.cipo.icigc.ca, an overview of registration procedures, costs and other forms of intellectual property protection. It will also look at steps to take when you believe someone is infringing your intellectual property.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

You're researching the different types of business structures and wondering what the tax advantages and disadvantages are of sole proprietor, partnerships and corporations. Come to this workshop to understand more about taxable income, deductions, credits, employment income versus salary and wages, small business capital gains exemption, deferred tax and more. You will learn about accounting principles and terms that apply to you, learn more about financial statements, income tax and GST requirements.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Prerequisites to this seminar are: How to Do Business With the Federal Government and MERX - The Government Electronic Tendering Service

Understanding the Procurement Process and Responding to Bids provides businesses general advice and guidance on how to analyze the Request for Proposal (RFP) process and requirements, how to respond to a request to proposal (RFP), and how bids are evaluated.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

A strong marketing plan is essential for the success of any small business, yet too many business owners waste money on ineffective marketing.   The morning portion focuses on tools that allow you to identify profitable target markets and develop an efficient marketing system that will generate customers and revenue with less time and money. In the afternoon discover your own unique sales style and learn how to build rapport to strengthen your customer relations. Explore how to align your values, goals and unique sales strengths to sell more effectively. Whether selling a product or service learn the negotiating skills necessary to build your B2B and B2C client base.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Marketing tells the market what you do and attracts customers to you.  A strong marketing plan is essential for the success of any small business, yet too many business owners waste money on ineffective marketing.   This 3 hour course focuses on tools that allow you to identify profitable target markets and develop an efficient marketing system that will generate customers and revenue with less time and money.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Discover your own unique sales style and learn how to build rapport to strengthen your customer relations. Explore how to align your values, goals and unique sales strengths to sell more effectively. Whether selling a product or service learn the negotiating skills necessary to build your B2B and B2C client base.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Come to this session and learn how Twitter can help you network and build business.  This seminar will show you how to bring a community interested in sharing business and knowledge. Common questions about Twitter include, how relevant is Twitter to my business and how much energy do I need to dedicate to this tool? Brainstorm with other small business owners on how to engage a network of twitter followers and determine if Twitter is right for you and your business.

Congratulations you are starting a small business and want a step by step guide to starting right. The first seminar in the series, Start Smart 1, will help you understand the broad scope of the requirements that are required to register and run a small business in British Columbia as well as an introduction to evaluating your business idea. The second seminar in the series, Start Smart 2, discusses running a small business, intellectual property, patents, trademarks as well as employment standards and legalities for small business. The third seminar in the series, Start Smart 3, evaluates your business idea and looks at primary and secondary methods of research. Presented by Small Business BC representatives, eBusiness Connection, WorkSafe BC, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Oyen Wiggs Green and Mutala, LPP and the BBB.

This seminar covers basic small business start-up information and is designed for the client in the thinking stage of starting a business. Included in this seminar is an overview of all the basic requirements including: name registry, business structures, municipal licensing requirements, insurance, GST, PST, labour requirements, and employment standards. Small Business BC resources are highlighted with emphasis on business planning tools, eBusiness resources, market research, business planning and trade services, a demonstration of our website(s) and methods to evaluate your business idea and its viability in the market place.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Are you moving your business to the next stage in your business growth? Struggling with finding time to do it all? This workshop will be the first step in helping you understand that sales in your business can actually be holding you back! Find out whether its HR, Sales or Operations that you need to help grow your business. This is the first workshop in a new series of workshops in the Dynamics of Business Growth Development Program.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Life is risky; entrepreneurs know all about taking risk and reaping rewards. Protecting yourself and your business is an important factor to the success of your business. Legal requirements regarding intellectual property, trademarks, patents and designs will be discussed as well as employment standards including bonding, employees and running a small business.  This seminar is designed for the launching business client who is working on a business plan and is presented by WorkSafeBC, Insurance Bureau of Canada, BBB, Oyen Wiggs Green Mutala LLP and the BBB (Better Business Bureua).

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Forecasting your revenues & expenses is a critical part of business planning.  Financial forecasting is goal setting with numbers attached. We cover the effects of external and internal factors on your business.  You learn how to plan for controllable and non-controllable expenses – the importance of the ‘middle line’ and the Hertzog method of forecasting revenues.  By developing a ‘case study’, you not only learn the theory, but also have the opportunity to develop a forecasting scenario and develop ‘what if’ type scenarios. Forecasting is part art, part science – part prognosticating and part goal setting.  It helps to provide a road map to ensure that the efforts you put in to your business are taking you where you want to go.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.

Come to this session ready to research your business and prepare the market research section of your business plan. You will be introduced to primary and secondary research methods that will continue to evaluate your business idea. Market research is an important part of your business plan since it offers an in-depth study of your business. It will save you time and money and give you a real sense of what your competitors are doing as well as what your customers need. Market research will also inform your marketing effort that is, after carefully studying your industry, competitors and customers; you will have a much clearer idea of how to target those areas most effectively.

This seminar is hosted at Small Business BC in Vancouver and delivered to other locations via live video conference.