Feed Editor 19 Jan 2010 19:14:55 GMT Get the latest MBEC news and information for existing small businesses. http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/business/growyourbusiness en We regret to inform you that as of Tuesday April 30, 2013, there will no longer be updates or posting to this feed. We thank you for your past support and encourage you to keep up to date with small business information in Mississauga on our Twitter account posted below. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. 29 Apr 2013 17:04:58 GMT http://twitter.com/mississaugabec A6FE913A-FA65-4685-A1A3-FE6DD81F6896 We regret to inform you that as of Tuesday April 30, 2013, there will no longer be updates or posting to this feed. We thank you for your past support and encourage you to keep up to date with small business information in Mississauga on our Twitter account posted below. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. 19 Apr 2013 21:24:51 GMT http://twitter.com/mississaugabec FB54FD0D-B8C0-44AC-B46A-E0F42321F5C5 Young Entrepreneurs, Make Your Pitch invites you to pitch ideas that will drive the future of Ontario’s economy. If you are a student in grades 9 to 12, pitch your business idea in a two-minute video. Your video will be voted on by the public and expert judges. You could be one of 18 finalists presenting your business idea in Toronto at OCE Discovery 2013. You could win a reserved spot in Summer Company, the Province’s flagship youth entrepreneurship program! The Summer Company program provides up to $3,000, hands-on coaching and mentoring to young entrepreneurs to help you start and operate your business. 9 Apr 2013 21:42:58 GMT http://www.makeyourpitch.ca/home 61625DEE-B936-4837-8101-15645C912CAC Connect to experts for a demonstration of how 3D printing is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry and experience the process first hand in a state of the art laboratory at Sheridan’s Centre for Sustainable Manufacturing and Design Technologies. Join industry leaders for access to student talent and practical resources to enhance your business with these innovative technologies. 9 Apr 2013 15:04:55 GMT http://innovate-forward-3d.eventbrite.com/ 1A719B47-B659-42F9-A6B6-BC8780C07B69 The 2013 Mississauga Employment Survey presents an overview of employment and business activities in the City of Mississauga, based on data collected during the summer of 2012. Over 20,000 businesses listed. 28 Mar 2013 15:50:18 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/mississaugadata?paf_gear_id=9700018&itemId=1101074r 5C9C59E9-8222-4694-A650-7C27537A5174 Join the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) for a workshop offers real-life practical solutions to many of the issues that Canadian companies face when doing business in China. 6 Mar 2013 20:39:21 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/business/businesscalendar?paf_gear_id=12700032&itemId=1100686r 442E4513-DAEB-4E63-AF2D-02F9C63914F7 As of February 04, the City of Mississauga and many other organizations and businesses will discontinue the use of pennies. When paying for goods and services with cash, transactions will be rounded to the nearest five cent increment. All other forms of payment such as debit, credit or cheque will continue to be settled to the cent. Visit the attached link for more information. 24 Jan 2013 16:45:28 GMT http://www.fin.gc.ca/1cent/index-eng.asp 39F59AC7-9F2C-411F-9E9B-853A54DC6D71 U of T Mississauga's Department of Management presents... The 1st Annual Countdown to Success Featuring David Chilton Author of "The Wealthy Barber" books and the newest member of CBC's Dragon's Den Join us at the 1st annual Countdown to Success, a marquee event designed to expose students, alumni and professionals to countless business and networking opportunities within the accounting, finance and management fields. The first 500 to arrive at the event will be provided with a free copy of David Chilton's newest book The Wealthy Barber Returns. Attendance at this event is FREE and pre-registration is required for this event. This will not secure your seating for the speaker. Seating will be provided on a first-come basis. Date: Friday, February 8, 2013 - 2:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. Trade Show Opens at 2:30 p.m. Speaking Event Begins at 3:30 p.m. Networking Reception from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Location: Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre University of Toronto Mississauga 3359 Mississauga Rd. N. http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/maps 22 Jan 2013 21:21:13 GMT http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/iframe/management 26A97142-BA65-46E5-8654-8BFFAD29613B The “Recycling Idol” competition is a hybrid modeled on American Idol and Dragon’s Den where four recycling technology finalists are invited to present their company pitch to a panel of cleantech experts. Join MBEC and other businesses from Mississauga and beyond for this great information and networking opportunity. 29 Nov 2012 19:21:10 GMT http://riccentre.ca/programs/growing-your-business/next-session/ 3E0DD57E-D043-410A-9A38-6C66A6A9C5E1 Don't miss your chance to hear from Keynote Speakers Jim Dickmeyer of the US Consul General and Mike Lahar, Compliance Manager at Deringer share insights about exporting to the USA. Learn about the non-resident importer program and US Customs and Border Protection. Thursday November 29th from 7:30am to 11:30am at Radisson Plaza Mississauga Toronto Airport (175 Derry Road East). Cost: $40.00 and includes breakfast and taxes. Registration is required. For additional information: http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=89 26 Nov 2012 20:16:15 GMT http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=89 12522F05-422B-4F9C-BB23-7F67B40744CC MBOT presents an opportunity to learn about exporting to the USA. Unsure about how to comply with US Customs and their enforcement? Want to better understand NAFTA and the benefits available? Then mark your calendar for Thursday November 29th from 7:30am to 11:30am at Radisson Plaza Mississauga Toronto Airport (175 Derry Road East). Cost: $40.00 and includes breakfast and taxes. Registration is required. For additional information: http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=89 22 Nov 2012 16:11:33 GMT http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=89 9396CC0F-B5B3-4822-8C4F-DB763509B9D1 Made for Canadians doing business internationally, TradeReady.ca is Canada’s online hub for news, information and learning resources related to international trade and our country’s efforts to compete and win in global business. Read their blog, download their resources, join their forum to get or share advice, follow their Twitter feed for hour-by-hour news and information and, most importantly, get involved with their pan-Canadian Human Resources International Trade Sector Study 25 Oct 2012 17:50:43 GMT http://tradeready.ca/ 3B603708-B96D-418D-B073-45420A81BA60 You've worked hard and created a thriving business, and now you're ready to grow it. But before you jump into expansion mode, you need to take the time to understand the four big hurdles all growing businesses face—and how to create a game plan to tackle them. Here are the top four things to have in your growth plan recommended by some of Canada's most successful business leaders. 18 Oct 2012 19:12:07 GMT http://www.profitguide.com/startup/best-practices/five-things-to-consider-before-you-grow-42207 A16AE9DF-6DA9-4D30-A079-04E320F57206 Join a global grassroots movement of entrepreneurs in a 54 hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation. The RIC Centre is excited to co-host Startup Weekend with Sheridan College. This is the Peel Region’s first Startup Weekend in history and we plan to make it BIG! So come out; share your idea and compete to win for $1000. 16 Oct 2012 19:15:24 GMT http://riccentre.ca/startupweekend/ FF89E129-F12B-4810-8D39-DA891A02A00F The City of Mississauga announced a new online service today making it possible to locate and receive reliable contact information for over 10,000 companies located in Mississauga. The business directory now features: • The ability to share listings by email; • Facebook, Twitter and Google+ integration; • Directions to listed company locations via Google Maps; and • Mobile browser optimization. In addition to free online access to listings, a one-year subscription is available for purchase. The one-year subscription, availavble for $59.95 is being marketed to businesses that have purchased a directory in the past or businesses that require full-access to company listings. The Mississauga Business Directory is accessible through the City’s website by visiting: http://mississauga.ca/business 16 Oct 2012 15:48:00 GMT http://mississauga.ca/business 2EDF8A12-5186-4054-95B8-478DE4EDE954 Read the latest openings, announcements and other business news in Mississauga's Economic Development Fall Business Newscard! 4 Oct 2012 16:39:37 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/file/COM/2012_Fall_Business_Newscard.pdf B80C7C63-7B29-4A1E-B036-E92E46096F2E The biggest sales issue facing small and professional businesses is their reluctance and/or inability to sell. 3 Oct 2012 20:50:50 GMT http://business.financialpost.com/2012/10/01/tips-for-creating-sales-leads-to-keep-your-service-business-thriving/ 14175EA5-238A-4E19-964E-0999A24FC67F Check out the Summer 2012 EDO Business Newsletter full of information on opening and announcements on Mississauga's dynamic and growing business community 18 Sep 2012 19:17:11 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/file/COM/newscard_edo_summer2012.pdf D85FF7BD-E493-45C0-A095-23C6F51E9E1E The 2012 Mississauga Employment Profile presents an overview of employment and business activities in the City of Mississauga, based on data collected during the summer of 2011. The 2012 Employment Profile is comprised of three open data components: 1. An Employment Profile Poster that includes an overview of employment and businesses in the City of Mississauga, available in PDF format. 2. A series of ten city wide maps that display Vacancies, Location of Businesses with 300+ Employees, Location of Businesses by Sector, Employment Density by Geographic Area, and Business Movement, available in PDF format. 3. Summary statistics that include: Total Employment, Vacancies by Geographic Area, Employees and Businesses by Range, Businesses and Employment by Business Classification, and Businesses with 300+ Employees, available in XLS and CSV format. 12 Sep 2012 17:58:06 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/mississaugadata;jsessionid=4RYS1E3PAHNPDTRPH3XT44WOF25W2PW0?paf_gear_id=9700018&itemId=116300591n 142C0717-86F0-4388-AE9A-9AA3C0E2BE1E Energy management is more than just lighting. Join for this webinar with EtimeEnergy on a retrofit solution that can reduce your aggregate energy bill by 5-15% and: •LEARN about how to manage your Solar Heat Gain problems •DISCOVER what an ideal installation looks like •HEAR about other companies who have benefited from this technology 11 Sep 2012 18:23:54 GMT http://www.partnersinprojectgreen.com/get-help/events-and-workshops/icalrepeat.detail/2012/09/20/713/55%7C54/green-technology-series-etimeenergy FA692E0A-7F91-48EE-8C3B-52353EB0BFBD On October 20th, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) wants consumers to think small and spend big during Canada's first Small Business Saturday. 4 Sep 2012 16:51:05 GMT http://www.profitguide.com/news/get-ready-for-small-business-saturday-40202 D881BAC6-8919-4929-9315-DDB354B738C7 The 2012 Mississauga Employment Profile presents an overview of employment and business activities in the City of Mississauga, based on data collected during the summer of 2011 30 Aug 2012 16:47:43 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/publicationsopendatacatalogue 669AAEC8-23CB-4362-BE75-04AD2B5D72B8 The Enabling Accessibility Fund supports community-based projects across Canada that improve accessibility, remove barriers and enable Canadians with disabilities to participate in and contribute to their communities. This component provides grant funding of up to $50,000 per project to improve the built environment through renovation, construction and retrofitting of buildings; the modification of vehicles for community use; and enhancements to make information and communication technologies more accessible. 24 Aug 2012 15:38:26 GMT http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/disability_issues/eaf/cfp/index.shtml D8E18244-949B-4461-ABB2-B4976999939E No matter how small your business, an organizational chart will provide a sober picture of what the business needs from its staff and opportunities for delegation and growth in the future. 21 Aug 2012 14:32:35 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/day-to-day/how-to-fix-your-companys-organizational-chart/article4489689/ 453F416F-9BB5-4562-A148-08AC36692DEC Is your business model firing on all cylinders? These questions will help you determine if your business needs a few tweaks to keep humming along smoothly. 20 Jul 2012 17:31:12 GMT http://www.inc.com/karl-and-bill/6-questions-to-tune-up-your-growth-engine.html 411E42C5-F159-473B-911A-ED12013C0715 Check out this sort colum in when it's a good idea to use a recruiter to find new employees. 19 Jul 2012 16:12:53 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/experts/does-it-make-sense-for-a-small-business-to-use-a-recruiter/article4422456 511AE18D-9252-41A4-874B-96C4CEF1DCD6 Don't miss your chance to hear from Keynote Speaker Jiangwei Yu from the Commercial Consul at the Consulate General of People's Republic of China in Toronto share insights about the Chinese economy and market. Hear experiences and advice from Canadian Businesses already engaged in the Chinese market and have a chance to ask questions of the speaker panel. Wednesday July 18, 2012 from 8:30am to 10:30am at Homewood Suites by Hilton (6430 Edwards Blvd). Cost: $25.00 and includes breakfast and taxes. Registration is required. For additional information: http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=74 16 Jul 2012 15:13:33 GMT http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=74 B02D101A-CE82-4F7C-A6E4-1CB05CB8E190 Now more than ever, business owners must get the basics right. Production, sales, marketing, human resources and business development all have to be working from the same playbook, collaborating in the ultimate success of your business. This is easier said than done. But if you get the small stuff right, the big stuff tends to work out. Here’s how to make the second half better than the first: 9 Jul 2012 15:26:19 GMT http://business.financialpost.com/2012/07/07/when-the-going-gets-tough-get-the-basics-right/ 5D5564EA-CF8E-4642-80CC-4CDAED17ABCC Don't miss your chance to hear from Keynote Speaker Jiangwei Yu from the Commercial Consul at the Consulate General of People's Republic of China in Toronto share insights about the Chinese economy and market. Hear experiences and advice from Canadian Businesses already engaged in the Chinese market and have a chance to ask questions of the speaker panel. Wednesday July 18, 2012 from 8:30am to 10:30am at Homewood Suites by Hilton (6430 Edwards Blvd). Cost: $25.00 and includes breakfast and taxes. Registration is required. For additional information: http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=74 9 Jul 2012 15:20:08 GMT http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=74 38D53EFE-346B-4E35-9AD3-27B74B437F55 Mississauga Board of Trade Presents Doing Business with China MBOT presents an opportunity to learn about Canada's second largest merchandise partner. Whether you're looking to export, invest or develop partnerships in China this workshop will provide businesses strategies necessary for starting or growing your business within China. Wednesday July 18, 2012 from 8:30am to 10:30am at Homewood Suites by Hilton (6430 Edwards Blvd). Cost: $25.00 and includes breakfast and taxes. Registration is required. For additional information: http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=74 29 Jun 2012 17:54:57 GMT http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=74 B7C169D6-ED09-47F6-97FE-923C45A06981 Mississauga Board of Trade Presents Doing Business with India Deepening trade ties and economic relations with India, the 9th largest economy in the world, has become a key priority for Canada. If you are a business wishing to explore international markets, this event is for you!! Thursday June 28, 2012 8:00 am to 10:00 am Glenerin Inn Mississauga 1695 The Collegeway Admission Price: $25.00 (PRE-PAYMENT REQUIRED. Price includes breakfast, admission and 13% HST). For further information visit: http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=50 25 Jun 2012 14:17:26 GMT http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=50 A0F07915-AEAA-43AB-9CC3-2161E1FD79A2 Mississauga Board of Trade Presents Doing Business with India Deepening trade ties and economic relations with India, the 9th largest economy in the world, has become a key priority for Canada. If you are a business wishing to explore international markets, this event is for you!! Thursday June 28, 2012 8:00 am to 10:00 am Glenerin Inn Mississauga 1695 The Collegeway Admission Price: $25.00 (PRE-PAYMENT REQUIRED. Price includes breakfast, admission and 13% HST). For further information visit: http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=50 15 Jun 2012 16:13:02 GMT http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=50 C3BDCAA2-1C29-4AB8-BAD5-63B3477D24D1 Most businesses in Ontario are small and medium enterprises with fewer than 500 employees. Ontario’s small and medium enterprises are important contributors to the province’s economic prosperity. 15 Jun 2012 15:29:20 GMT http://www.ontariocanada.com/ontcan/1medt/downloads/SME_snapshot_may2012_en.pdf B486FDFB-DDE7-401B-8D6E-9F48FCE3EF8D Four entrepreneur finalists from the RIC Centre, Peel Region, will pitch their new business ideas to a panel of four well-known Toronto media and business personalities on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at the fourth annual "Innovator Idol” competition. 7 Jun 2012 21:34:21 GMT http://riccentre.ca/programs/growing-your-business/innovator-idol/ FC16321E-BEF0-4200-B1FA-A5E0456609F2 Mississauga Board of Trade Presents Doing Business with India Deepening trade ties and economic relations with India, the 9th largest economy in the world, has become a key priority for Canada. If you are a business wishing to explore international markets, this event is for you!! Thursday June 28, 2012 8:00 am to 10:00 am Glenerin Inn Mississauga 1695 The Collegeway Admission Price: $25.00 (PRE-PAYMENT REQUIRED. Price includes breakfast, admission and 13% HST). For further information visit: http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=50 7 Jun 2012 21:32:42 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/business/opportunitiescalendar?paf_gear_id=4600018&itemId=115400123n&viewCal=month&viewMonth=6-2012 768259E1-0FE2-4B67-8E47-731CB986B0E7 Mississauga Board of Trade Presents Doing Business with India Deepening trade ties and economic relations with India, the 9th largest economy in the world, has become a key priority for Canada. If you are a business wishing to explore international markets, this event is for you!! Thursday June 28, 2012 8:00 am to 10:00 am Glenerin Inn Mississauga 1695 The Collegeway Admission Price: $25.00 (PRE-PAYMENT REQUIRED. Price includes breakfast, admission and 13% HST). For further information visit: http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=50 28 May 2012 15:17:34 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/business/opportunitiescalendar?paf_gear_id=4600018&itemId=115400123n&viewCal=month&viewMonth=6-2012 90C08061-F62F-4577-8A63-C83EE85C7002 The Honourable Harinder Takhar, Ontario Minister of Government Services, will be holding a Government Procurement Roundtable at the Mississauga Convention Centre. • Meet the Minister and the Ministry of Government Services officials • Provide feedback on improving Government procurement policies Location: Mississauga Convention Centre, 75 Derry Road West, Mississauga Time: June 1, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. PRE-REGTISTRATION IS MANADATORY LET US KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND THIS ROUNDTABLE, please contact Barbara Dodds at 416-325-1989, or by e-mail at barbara.dodds@ontario.ca 28 May 2012 14:44:39 GMT http:// 274E24C4-E132-48ED-BFBC-B88DDE7CFA39 Four entrepreneur finalists from the RIC Centre, Peel Region, will pitch their new business ideas to a panel of four well-known Toronto media and business personalities on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at the fourth annual “Innovator Idol” competition. 23 May 2012 14:49:14 GMT http://riccentre.ca/programs/growing-your-business/innovator-idol/ C5D31969-3CCE-4BD8-ACDF-47AA551B1BEC Thanks to a recent collaboration of government services, a new website called ONe-source for Business was launched by the provincial government where you can get access to government information and services online 24/7. If you operate an existing busines ONe-Source is your central access point for various government accounts. To receive the full benefit of the service log onto OneSource and create a profile for your company enter the information on your various accounts, and your accounts will be consolidated into your profile which will allow you to complete many of the forms and transactions required for your business. 18 May 2012 14:25:07 GMT www.ontario.ca/onesource 6C168E72-DCC0-40A6-9C86-A3684F5870F9 Email is the single most effective marketing tool for many businesses -- and being blocked as an email spammer can be their biggest headache. It's getting more difficult to get into inboxes, as the battle between spammers and Internet service providers rages on. Nearly one in four commercial emails doesn't make it to the inbox and is either shunted to spam folders or blocked altogether, according to a March report by Return Path, a New York email deliverability monitoring firm. 10 May 2012 14:37:26 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/223537 3AD09E5E-E315-4F44-B3B1-3891A955616F Register today and recieve a 2 for 1 special through the Mississauga Board of Trade. The Toronto Entrepreneurs Conference was designed to provide entrepreneurs, whether budding or experienced, with the opportunity to expand their professional network, hear from experienced and successful entrepreneurs on tips and opportunities and learn what it takes to become successful and stay thriving. Friday May 11 7:30 am - 5:00 pm 9 May 2012 20:37:13 GMT http://web.mbot.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=32 48626A0A-00FF-452C-AEC1-F3B8C6DE647E The Toronto Entrepreneurs Conference was designed to provide entrepreneurs, whether budding or experienced, with the opportunity to expand their professional network, hear from experienced and successful entrepreneurs on tips and opportunities and learn what it takes to become successful and stay thriving. Friday May 11 7:30 am - 5:00 pm 3 May 2012 14:42:32 GMT http://www.torontoentrepreneurs.ca/conference.php BF6AA575-88EC-49E6-8B93-21963362B418 A BMO report in 2009 found that half of Canadian small-business owners planned to retire by 2019. Forty per cent of them had revised their original retirement date and planned to stay in business longer because they hadn’t set enough aside or they had lost equity in the market downturn 23 Apr 2012 19:50:05 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-managing/succession-planning/anyone-want-to-buy-a-business-it-appears-not/article2409390/ 77BA0F73-B000-4697-B58F-5E61E1774ABB Ontario Centres of Excellence is pleased to invite you to the second Ontario Technology Transfer Partnerships forum. Join Ontario’s technology transfer community – including Technology Transfer offices, Regional Innovation Centres, industry, government, investors, and other partners – for networking, professional development and sharing of experiences with your colleagues. 17 Apr 2012 14:30:43 GMT http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2900177509 E1B92A50-1E8A-48E5-960C-F146E7BE168B Are you between 18 and 35 years old and an owner of a business for at least two years? Then dont miss out on this bamazing opportunity to win up to $100,000 for your business. 30 Mar 2012 16:17:23 GMT http://www.bdcyoungentrepreneuraward.ca/ 3781A146-E16F-4AF1-AF5F-FF8F07D01E89 For organizations looking to identify and implement energy, waste and water reduction opportunities, Partners in Project Green has launched the Eco-Efficiency Consultant Roster. Consultants on the roster help organizations with: • Detailed resource audits and assessments for energy, waste and water reductions • Process integration studies • Energy and resource planning • Implementation assistance Local companies are encouraged utilize this resources as a way to connect to local eco-efficiency consultants who can help them identify and act upon cost reduction opportunities. Through the Eco-Efficiency Consultant Roster, companies can also learn about each consultant’s past clients, read client feedback and ensure they’re connecting to the right firm for their business. 28 Mar 2012 14:26:08 GMT www.partnersinprojectgreen.com/eco-efficiencyroster. B73C0EE1-41E7-43E0-A9AC-97A4D94C6E1F Through Ontario's Summer Jobs Strategy, the government is offering employers a $2-per-hour hiring incentive. 19 Mar 2012 16:11:53 GMT http://news.ontario.ca/medt/en/2012/03/your-summer-job-is-out-there.html 002EB875-7D34-4026-B809-00CD17723DDF Acts of sabotage can take many forms as well, from stealing files to stealing customers to stealing staff to purposely ruining an event to harming a business’s reputation on social media. Is your small business prepared to handle any of these? 19 Mar 2012 16:07:11 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/day-to-day/when-small-businesses-are-targets-of-sabotage/article2371788 C2FCBCC4-89A0-4581-B8FD-43099681C9FD Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a not-for-profit corporation created and funded by the federal government to finance and support the late-stage development and pre-commercial demonstration of cleantech, is accepting applications for the latest round of funding under its SD Tech Fund™. 13 Mar 2012 14:03:50 GMT http://www.hazmatmag.com/news/applications-sought-for-federal-cleantech-funding/1000979907 5BBC4271-514D-4F0C-9C96-373CFB0F735C A good starting point for your go-to-market strategy is defining how you will win new customers. The best way to do this is to take a customer-oriented approach and ask yourself some questions. 12 Mar 2012 16:37:44 GMT http://www.marsdd.com/2012/03/12/problem-consumer BF897E4C-08C5-4827-A529-9555DF77AB3B From your condensers to your thermostats, an HVAC system is a key component in an energy efficient building. Learn how to save valuable energy and dollars by following simple steps to a better heated, ventilated and air conditioned building. 7 Mar 2012 15:21:12 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/home/homecalendar/?paf_gear_id=4600018&itemId=114700459n 8AB90113-EBED-4910-A5E9-97E691EF4CDC Interested in learning more about Google's advertising products and solutions? Register for a FREE upcoming webinar, or view recorded webinars. 6 Mar 2012 14:34:30 GMT http://googlesmb.blogspot.com/2012/03/introducing-learn-with-google-webinar.html 55046414-C5F9-4440-A5A3-A5EDAD852658 If your job involves selling, chances are you're going to hear one of these objections: "It costs too much!" or "The price is too high." You can make the sale even after a customer says your price is way too high. Follow these easy steps. 6 Mar 2012 14:25:32 GMT http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/how-to-handle-price-objections.htm 2AC68CB0-CAE1-46FB-B768-ECC857629915 If you blow it at a face-to-face meeting, you'll have wasted both your time & your client's. Avoid these goofs to turn more prospects into paying customers. 22 Feb 2012 15:02:29 GMT http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/10-common-sales-mistakes-to-avoid.html 6AE935B1-C2FE-404D-9719-ACB02E94843E If the hard drive on your server failed, how fast could your business recover? What if your business burned to the ground? Business data is the most valuable asset any business has - but many are cavalier about protecting it. Following these six rules of business data protection will ensure that your business is able to get up and running again quickly no matter what happens. 21 Feb 2012 15:06:30 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/datamanagement/a/Data-Protection.htm 05E2183C-B210-421F-B6E0-E3873708FD54 If you run a home business, you'll want to be sure you deduct all the relevant home business expenses on your income tax. However, although there are income tax deductions that are specific to home businesses, not all home businesses will qualify for these tax deductions. The CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) has stringent conditions that determine whether or not a home business owner can claim business-use-of-home expenses on line 9945 of the T1 tax form. 21 Feb 2012 15:05:25 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/cs/homebusiness/a/hometax1.htm 4DBDEF01-BD3B-4782-8134-297D85A95EEE Managing your business, even if it's a real-world store with a physical address, is increasingly moving into the online space. With that comes the need to maintain good online security practices to protect both your own information and that of your customers. Behind your password lies a wealth of data that can be very interesting to your competitors and criminals. You should see this data as a commodity, just like the product you are selling. And just like your product, you don’t want it to fall into the wrong hands. 10 Feb 2012 16:19:43 GMT http://googlesmb.blogspot.com/2012/02/protect-your-passwords-protect-your.html C46832D0-4F49-49EB-B21C-7BDB5BF8EB3A Getting through to decision-makers (or even regular folks) is getting more difficult all the time, so if you're going to prospect for new customers, you need to learn how to sell using voice mail. 6 Jan 2012 15:20:32 GMT http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/how-to-sell-using-voice-mail.html 020972C2-0019-49B4-A073-C6B5845EAF27 Exporting and export-ready manufacturers in Southern Ontario can learn how to access up to $75,000 in financial support for product and process improvements at a series of regional workshops, hosted this February by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME). 31 Jan 2012 14:35:18 GMT http://www.cme-mec.ca/?action=show&lid=YGT8M-X3I9B-CXZZS 4103F8FB-9F35-467A-A4F9-56A7B798AE0D These top selling accounting software programs simplify your small business accounting tasks, and provide all the reports and tools you need to effectively use your financial data. 24 Jan 2012 15:03:05 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2012/01/24/top-accounting-software-for-small-business-3.htm 766F6FF1-33B6-4CDA-9B5C-24B1848AA186 Setting the right price for products and services is often one of the more challenging decisions any business faces. Price too low and you can leave significant profits on the table. Price too high and you may see declining sales as your most price-sensitive customers desert you. There are pitfalls on either side of the narrow line on pricing. 24 Jan 2012 15:01:29 GMT http://www.inc.com/karl-and-bill/the-price-is-right-or-is-it.html 9DAB73EB-3124-4741-B150-904DE9045D09 Businesses are wasting time and money trying to reach people online without realizing many consumers resent big brands invading their social networks - according to new research. 17 Jan 2012 17:33:31 GMT http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/906555/canadian-businesses-failing-to-develop-effective-social-network-profiles 04247C32-D277-41B3-978B-D1002C04BA7E Are you developing products or services in the areas of environment, health, safety and security, or enabling technologies, and looking to enter the commercial market? If so, the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program can help you. The webinar takes place January 18, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time (10:00 a.m. Pacific time). If you are interested in attending, please fill out the registration form. 12 Jan 2012 14:32:30 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/7518 8E59F207-C46D-473E-A326-ED483BF352D2 You are legally, if not morally, obligated to treat your customers' private personal data respectfully and fairly. But protecting customer privacy need not be a drain on your company. Done wisely, it can create customer goodwill and even lift sales, while reducing business and legal risks 12 Jan 2012 14:25:00 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/digital/biz-categories-technology/seven-tips-for-protecting-personal-data-online/article2299056 F2DFF97F-EA63-472E-9926-F52724E5E7E6 Use these three steps to get customers to look beyond price to see the value your company truly offers 10 Jan 2012 16:06:04 GMT http://www.inc.com/sandra-wear/how-to-compete-on-value-not-price.html B014A5DF-72FE-4C8B-AC32-A48F23A76901 As of the start of this year, all businesses in Ontario are required to comply with phase one of the AODA, known as the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service. But many small and medium-sized businesses may not be up to par. 6 Jan 2012 15:35:33 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-marketing/customer-service/ontario-disabilities-act-creates-compliance-confusion/article2292901 DAF68046-F855-4607-A3F7-F99F52CD8E6C It is the time of year when many people are making resolutions — lose a few pounds, quit smoking, learn a new language — but, the new year is also the perfect time to look back on your business' progress over the past year and plan for the future. Here are three things to get you started on planning and setting goals for the new year and every year. 5 Jan 2012 14:48:14 GMT ttp://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/7487 DC102174-A101-44A7-BA20-9988CA6439CA Innovation is about bringing ideas to market rather than letting them languish on a half-forgotten scratchpad. And innovation doesn’t necessarily mean invention. More often, it’s about acting on an opportunity you have already recognized, or adapting existing solutions for other markets or industries. 4 Jan 2012 15:11:13 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/digital/innovation/examples-that-show-innovation-can-be-easy/article2290098/ CD50EE70-9125-42E4-B512-E139AD5B7DDD If you’re a small business owner, you’re likely on the lookout for new customers on a fairly regular basis. After all, having a steady stream of interested parties who become paying clientele is the benchmark of a successful business. Whether you’re in a service industry, retail or otherwise, there are some tried and true methods for expanding and keeping your customer base evolving: 12 Dec 2011 14:50:40 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-tools/the-top-tens/top-10-ways-to-expand-your-customer-base/article2265941 0A2B1905-BB3D-4407-96B9-58746C41AA70 A commercial lease is a written agreement between a landlord and a business tenant. This legally binding contract allows you, as the tenant, to use the commercial premises for your business activity for a set time period by promising to pay an agreed upon rate to the landlord. Here are a few items to keep in mind as you investigate commercial property: 9 Dec 2011 15:36:40 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/7424 80D2B7FD-EEAA-4B3C-BA28-D64045BCF326 Mountain Equipment Co-op™ (MEC) has announced the fall recipients of its community grants program, with 58 community-based environmental and outdoor recreation projects awarded a total of $604,389. These grants are announced twice each year, with more than $1.3 million invested by MEC for 2011. The deadline for the spring grants is March 10, 2012. For more information, visit: www.mec.ca. 5 Dec 2011 14:38:37 GMT www.mec.ca. 8A52E632-13AB-4FC7-9681-4C5C78C65B63 Office work may seem harmless enough, sitting all day at a desk using a computer. However all that prolonged sitting, typing on a keyboard and using a mouse for hours at a stretch every day can set the stage for musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs). Symptoms of an MSI can include pain, joint stiffness, weak or aching muscles, redness and swelling, numbness and tingling, a burning sensation, and a general feeling of tiredness. 1 Dec 2011 14:17:48 GMT http://www.ccohs.ca/newsletters/hsreport/issues/2011/11/ezine.html?id=24315&link=7#oshanwers C8F4F7E6-93B5-4AF7-93A2-8EF146711ECB The 2nd annual Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. On November 26, we're asking millions of people to Shop Smallsm at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy. When we all shop small, it will be huge. 25 Nov 2011 14:15:25 GMT http://smallbusinesssaturday.com/ B41BB875-3A3E-4CCF-825B-72B608025C06 21 Nov 2011 15:07:14 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/smallbusinessgrants/a/smallbizgrants.htm E6AA4329-A493-45BE-A9F1-FAD618A373C0 While running your small business, you might not feel you have enough time for risk management. Yet, whether you're ready or not, risk is always present and can result in liability. Nevertheless, preventive measures and liability insurance may protect your business and your employees from costly lawsuits. 21 Nov 2011 15:05:09 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/7364/ AAA45913-4E66-4D56-B873-9918D6772B6D The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has developed an interactive, online tool to help organizations identify and control common hazards found in the workplace. 15 Nov 2011 14:09:56 GMT http://www.hazmatmag.com/news/new-online-resource-to-help-control-workplace-hazards/1000698235 C1DB6616-D96D-4CD6-82AF-7ABE771F6920 While most Venture Capital firms have their own unique styles and criteria, the investment fundamentals are fairly similar across the board. Here are ten tips to help your fundraising process along: 25 Oct 2011 14:54:50 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-tools/the-top-tens/pitching-to-a-venture-capitalist-read-this-first/article2206541/ 684F98AE-B84E-4C88-BE46-7BFAC4F072F9 The 2011 federal budget created a hiring credit for small business (HCSB), a one-time credit intended to stimulate new employment and support small businesses. The HCSB gives small businesses relief from the employer's share of employment insurance (EI) premiums paid in 2011. The credit does this by paying up to $1,000, based on the increase in an employer's EI premiums paid in 2011 over those paid in 2010. 25 Oct 2011 14:09:13 GMT http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/pyrll/hwpyrllwrks/stps/hrng/hcsb-eng.html 4C8E611D-3A27-4436-8C19-F129232DD3B3 European specialists in IP protection, public/private procurement and supply chain management will be in the GTA for one day only to provide you with practical guidance on strategies to: identify and access public procurement opportunities in the EU; protect your patents, copyright and other industrial and intellectual property rights; ensure return on your R&D investments; use the electronic procurement tools of large multinational corporations; identify key business partners; determine the most competitive locations in Europe to set up a hub for operations; and identify sources of funding for intermodal sustainable transport. This seminar is targeted to senior executives, product developers and business development managers of Ontario manufacturing and technology companies. Priority will be given to Ontario manufacturers, companies with proprietary technology and/or companies that develop value-added technical solutions. For further information, please contact victor.miranda@ontario.ca Only a few places available. REGISTER NOW. 24 Oct 2011 21:06:20 GMT http:// 78795336-5C4F-4628-9EEB-B31C4F636CC9 The site (www.mbot.com) includes new features such as access to MBOT’s social media forums (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Picassa), live social media feeds and improved marketing of upcoming business events. 19 Oct 2011 19:48:16 GMT http://www.mississauga.com/news/business/article/1228294 28A9A5EA-1DC5-4CD3-AFC2-726000D955EA The weekly top 5 tips post is always full of helpful hints and advice for small, home and micro business owners. 18 Oct 2011 16:16:59 GMT http://sme-blog.com/small-business-checklists/top-5-tips-for-dealing-with-troublesome-customers EBCC841E-C8C2-461A-8D92-A5A6C80F284F Small businesses are often touted as the backbone of Canada's economy, but how much do they actually contribute to the country's gross domestic product? How many small businesses are there, and how many do they employ across the country? And what exactly is a small business, anyway? 18 Oct 2011 15:06:54 GMT http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/smallbusiness/story/2011/10/04/f-smallbiz-by-the-numbers.html 2EADBA07-7EC3-452C-B6A4-9165584B7003 Find out how to keep your federally incorporated company in good standing. 14 Oct 2011 15:15:33 GMT http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/eng/h_cs03934.html 5F1FCA36-B029-4EA9-B700-F17D927CAFE0 Did you know that you can help boost the productivity, innovation and overall competitiveness of your business by following three simple steps? 14 Oct 2011 15:03:58 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/7121/ CA93AF5B-38DF-44B9-8CB2-8DF7C193065C Essential information for emerging entrepreneurs. Based on the Entrepreneurship 101 event series, these pages contain lecture videos and related resources to help you start and grow your company. 5 Oct 2011 16:06:30 GMT http://www.marsdd.com/entrepreneurs-toolkit/entrepreneurship101 827C47F2-E5DB-4935-A442-4AD5458A7551 On October 18th, more than 1,500 entrepreneurs and small business owners will gather in Toronto for a jam-packed day of keynotes, learning and networking opportunities. This is your opportunity to learn about growing a businses from Laura Berg, David Crow, Nadja Piatka, Murray Smith and Peter Evans. Meet portfolio companies from Mantella Venture Partners, talk to business incubator staff and participate in the ScribbleLive-powered social media feed. Some of Canada's and Toronto's hottest entrepreneurs will share lessons learned and best practices. Register at www.enterprisetoronto.com to reserve your seat! 27 Sep 2011 15:28:14 GMT www.enterprisetoronto.com 9AE0A77B-5775-45CC-B008-2C5A0CE8BE5F Would your business continue to have a healthy profit margin if you were to expand exponentially? If so, your business should run almost on its own, without requiring your hands-on involvement in every aspect of its operations. But is your business scalable? 20 Aug 2011 16:07:55 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/7107/ 95412CFF-CA8B-4A98-8681-0DA51C0B4F5E Too many businesses let the mid-point of the year go by without considering where they stand financially. Owners often discover they have a financial issue when it’s too late to take action — such as three months after their fiscal year-end. It sounds basic and it is: sometimes the simplest financial decisions elude the most sophisticated owners. 31 Aug 2011 16:40:50 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-money/cash-flow/cash-flow-is-king-avoid-tax-liability/article2147360 2ACC375D-6CF2-4228-A952-A62715357D83 Learn about Ontario’s purchasing policies and how to sell your products and services to the government. 29 Aug 2011 15:44:53 GMT http://www.doingbusiness.mgs.gov.on.ca/mbs/psb/psb.nsf/Attachments/HowtodoBusiness-page-ENG/$FILE/HowtodoBusiness-oda-ENG-Aug2011.html#When:15:04:02Z 648C46E1-BC41-48E8-9E11-AD097C9A6A96 Five free online courses that can help you get your small business started. 29 Aug 2011 15:01:53 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2011/08/29/read-learn-succeed-sign-up-now.htm 2F30E825-E97B-4C0C-AFF1-156DB75B1E41 Growing your business isn’t just a worthy goal; growing your business is a necessity for your business’s survival and your economic well-being. What can you do to get your business beyond the bare sustenance level? All of these ways of growing your business have been successfully used by other businesses and, with some planning and investment, will work for you. 26 Aug 2011 13:53:37 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/growingyourbusiness/a/10waysgrowing.htm 1D351DED-A08C-438E-B09E-E9716B1293FF The best-written e-mail campaign won’t get far without the tools to get it from your desktop to your clients’ inboxes. There’s a good deal of similarity between e-mail service providers, but following best practices is all the more important when sending e-mail: Not only is your brand at stake, but the eyes of the law are watching ever more keenly. 26 Aug 2011 13:46:45 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/digital/web-strategy/the-right-tools-to-get-off-on-the-right-foot/article2137296 B73B83B3-C7A1-4738-AA54-56E7B67F8AF9 Welcome to the Ontario Business Program Guide, the Ontario government’s free, online directory of tax incentives, tax credits and government support programs for business 25 Aug 2011 18:18:39 GMT http://www.ontario.ca/en/business_program/index.htm 4A4E5052-5E86-4A04-9750-CD1799CEE451 Only You Can Prevent Cringe-Worthy Customer Service 24 Aug 2011 15:01:56 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/blog/220111 676E366D-69AA-4574-BD62-548B7CB4FA28 Attracting outstanding employees can give your business a competitive edge — but how do you set yourself apart from other employers? Offering attractive benefits can play a significant role in recruitment and help you compete with larger organizations that may be able to offer higher salaries. 22 Aug 2011 16:29:17 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/7037 F2996192-A38B-4BD0-AD83-D267E30C4626 As companies look to reduce costs, more employees are being hired as freelancers or on contract. The upside is that it provides businesses with flexibility and they can avoid offering costly benefits. For employees, however, the lack of benefits can be a major issue because they’re a form of compensation beyond hourly wages or salaries. 22 Aug 2011 16:27:48 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/start/mark-evans/why-you-need-benefits-for-your-employees/article2135810 8DF634CE-28D0-42D8-9BBD-D40A18DDCA26 When is the last time you consulted your business plan? If it's been filed away since you opened for business, you may be missing out on a powerful tool - one that is useful at all stages in the lifecycle of your business. Regularly reviewing and updating your business plan is a valuable exercise. An up-to-date business plan provides you with a snapshot of your current position and can help you develop a road map for future growth. It can also help you stay focused on your goals and objectives, adapt to changing market conditions, and inspire your employees 19 Aug 2011 14:01:23 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/6995/ 2967D730-511D-4F4C-8BA4-6975DB9B69A0 Videos, worksheets, AdWords Traffic Estimator, Google Keyword Tool and much more. All designed to help you maket and promote your small business online. 19 Aug 2011 13:42:52 GMT http://www.google.com/ads/learn/# 1A33A9E5-23EA-4E7D-9880-181293569BE2 Learn how your business can participate in federally-led trade missions for opportunities in foreign markets. 18 Aug 2011 15:40:21 GMT http://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/eng/document.jsp?did=117788 B0396914-2A74-4E71-8500-D35071DEFC91 How do you get your line to where the fish are? Follow the nine steps below to run a successful marketing campaign. 18 Aug 2011 15:05:30 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/marketingplans/a/How-To-Run-A-Successful-Marketing-Campaign.htm 9048269F-13E6-40A7-B5F6-EFFDA4FB8143 How do successful companies invest their time, money and energy? Here’s what the top growers say. 17 Aug 2011 16:35:03 GMT http://www.exportwise.ca/article502 F77D2667-0D1F-4FBB-9105-11FBCB76DDE2 The Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT) is hosting the 2011 Mayor’s Address Luncheon on Sept. 29 at the Mississauga Convention Centre. 17 Aug 2011 16:07:42 GMT http://www.mississauga.com/news/business/article/1055833 1AE5F49F-8691-4238-ACAC-5A7F5EED7D56 16 Aug 2011 15:09:44 GMT http://business.financialpost.com/2011/08/13/ten-myths-about-social-networking-for-business/ CF219AF3-0BA3-4A88-841D-C773384C6096 Small business owners have enough to do. That’s why many of them don’t take the time to properly document human resources procedures. The costs of not properly documenting, particularly when it comes to building a case to fire an employee, can be sky high 16 Aug 2011 15:03:21 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/business-categories/human-resources/the-key-to-a-proper-firing-documentation/article2130040/ FA2F542C-F0FC-4E20-8BC9-C0BA0CE2C7FB The Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) supports community-based projects across Canada that improve accessibility, remove barriers, and enable Canadians with disabilities to participate in and contribute to their communities. It also provides grants of up to $50,000 per project to improve the built environment through renovation, construction and retrofitting of buildings; modification of vehicles for community use; and through the provision of accessible information and communication technologies. 15 Aug 2011 14:46:42 GMT http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/disability_issues/eaf/cfp/index.shtml 270B7974-7A5B-49AA-B50E-498D38C89637 Have you mastered your social media strategy? Do you know how to leverage the power of social media to create meaningful relationships, build your business and learn from your virtual mentors? 15 Aug 2011 14:31:49 GMT http://www.inc.com/marla-tabaka/ten-things-you-should-know-about-social-media.html 14853563-FF7D-4159-ABF6-B21A511B5774 Is your growing company trying to land bigger clients? Or is your sales team looking for leads? If you ever send e-mails that don't elicit a response, there's probably something you could improve about your strategy for crafting an introduction letter. 10 Aug 2011 16:39:47 GMT http://www.inc.com/guides/201108/7-tips-for-writing-e-mails-that-wont-get-deleted.html 1DA09EEF-F9E4-4F2D-B3FB-100C4CCAFDFB An elevator pitch or elevator speech is a short overview of your business, products or services, and is typically used in business settings such as face-to-face networking. An elevator pitch can be one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for a small business owner. Here is a step-by-step process for creating an effective and powerful elevator pitch. 10 Aug 2011 16:34:08 GMT http://sbinformation.about.com/od/marketingsales/a/How-To-Write-An-Elevator-Pitch.htm 7BD4E342-439A-448A-991F-1A0DB039D984 It's easy for small business owners to project their attitudes and behaviors upon prospective customers. This can undermine a campaign's effectiveness 29 Jul 2011 13:10:01 GMT http://www.businessweek.com/small-business/dont-market-to-the-mirror-07262011.html A24BF7BA-0F66-4D5D-AAD3-CC6F4A081759 Good website analytics take the mystery out of wondering who is visiting the company website and why. You don't need to be an online marketing strategist to use them, either. There are plenty of website analytics packages for sale on the Web, but you can get started free through Google Analytics. Here are five points to consider as you start delving into the numbers: 29 Jul 2011 13:07:16 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/business-categories/biz-categories-technology/why-website-visits-dont-always-translate-into-sales/article2113156/ 56A3C3D7-5B08-4C7D-BFB1-B3CD54E71C99 Buying or selling counterfeit goods can or knockoffs can put the health and safety of your customers, yourself and your family at risk. 25 Jul 2011 14:43:01 GMT http://www.mississauga.com/news/business/article/1047026 D6473E73-C201-4529-8256-D9718C5BD246 Many small business owners are in desperate need of skilled workers, but are either unaware of or don’t consider the qualified pool of new immigrants that have already arrived in Canada. 25 Jul 2011 14:26:24 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/start/talent/project-connects-immigrants-with-job-seekers/article2106717 A9AEB801-B9F3-4A28-87C3-4019507E6E26 The Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) recently updated the Canadian Consumer Handbook with three new chapters on Insurance, E-Waste and Home Renovations. New information has also been added to the existing chapters on Vehicle Purchase, Identity Theft and Warranties. The Handbook helps consumers better protect themselves by encouraging them to examine product and service offerings before purchasing. Visit the Handbook - there's a lot of practical information and advice on how to be a savvy consumer! 22 Jul 2011 16:52:42 GMT http://www.consumerhandbook.ca/en/ 3CD00CC9-FE19-4061-8849-85A689E158D8 Like a growing number of nations world wide Canada has implemented policies designed to boost the success of technology-driven companies. These programs target elements of the business system where barriers impede the growth of tech firms. A commitment to build the innovation ecosystem has led to extensive investments in basic and applied research in universities and colleges, tax credits for business spending on research and development, funding academic commercialization and establishing government-backed venture capital and business lending programs. 21 Jul 2011 16:00:21 GMT http://www.marsdd.com/2011/07/21/federal-programs-for-tech-firms E34F7864-C646-4F7D-9ACF-6C4E647C8134 While marketing tools and technologies have evolved, one golden rule of marketing has not: Brand loyalty and reputation are still based on the quality of the customer experience. And there's no better source to tell us how we're doing than the customers themselves. Whether on social media, consumer review sites, directories and retail sites, customers are likely talking (or squawking) somewhere about your business. Are you listening? The following four steps can help you engage your customers more effectively. 21 Jul 2011 15:26:17 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220040 77381161-29B1-4D30-9433-BF876DAC3949 If your business is doing well, you might feel there is no need to adjust your general operations. However, implementing benchmarking from time to time can prevent complacency from impeding your progress. Think of it as a reality check to keep your business from getting stale. Benchmarking is the process of measuring aspects of your business in order to understand your position in the market. When you compare your business practices to those of others, you may discover ways to develop or grow. 20 Jul 2011 16:07:20 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/6868 210C4DC7-5240-4BA7-92A8-E608FF41139B Google Inc. has detected a “large number” of Windows-based computers infected with a specific type of malicious software, and the company behind the world’s largest search engine is warning Web users they might be affected. 20 Jul 2011 16:01:00 GMT http://business.financialpost.com/2011/07/19/google-warns-of-massive-malware-outbreak/ 5E359210-E574-4805-86A5-1E39108C7084 Because an advisory board provides a pool of knowledge and expertise, it can be a real help in steering your small business. Besides acting as a sounding board for your plans and setting objectives, an advisory board can also help you develop new strategies. 19 Jul 2011 15:39:17 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2011/06/30/an-advisory-board-can-really-boost-your-small-business.htm 6C80E09E-6F83-4965-981B-D39625121D66 It's becoming increasingly apparent that social media is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. Small business owners who use social networking sites effectively are able to promote their businesses in powerful ways. One of the best ways to use social media for business is with a Facebook business page. Here are six reasons to create a Facebook page for your small business today. 19 Jul 2011 15:31:23 GMT http://sbinformation.about.com/od/marketingsales/tp/facebook-pages-for-business.htm A2724B06-D1D8-4D45-88E9-A28EC0C513F2 If your corporation has invested in research and development, you could receive a non-refundable tax credit of 4.5% for the cost of your scientific research and experimental development expenditures. 18 Jul 2011 14:44:01 GMT http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/crprtns/prv/on/rd-eng.html 0FB8D96A-6938-4DDF-B842-018A4E3FF40C Yes, you read that right. Online or offline, summer is the time to get your Christmas marketing campaign planned and underway. Because people are already starting to search and shop for the Christmas season. 18 Jul 2011 14:42:59 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2011/07/16/if-its-july-its-time-for-christmas.htm 62C8049C-F324-4CC6-B7CB-38BFFE547EF9 Welcome to the firm. Here’s your employee manual, that’s your desk and this is John, your cubicle mate. If there’s anything else you need, be sure to ask. See you around. That’s the orientation drill for new employees in many Canadian organizations and it’s destined to leave rookies feeling unsure, out of place and significantly more likely to start looking for another employer, a Canadian study has found. 15 Jul 2011 16:50:06 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/managing/on-the-job/first-impressions-count-for-managers/article2097839 6366A579-5524-4D7F-BF77-0C476BF4FCF0 Researchers there conducted an experiment in which consumers bought batteries and sex toys; participants were willing to purchase more often, and for larger amounts, from retailers with stronger privacy protections. 15 Jul 2011 16:44:19 GMT http://www.internetretailer.com/2011/07/14/privacy-policies-can-help-water-money-tree-e-retailers 36AA5613-BFD4-4BF2-B051-8C3EA5D9A4C0 There’s a lot of talk in the marketing blogosphere about the importance of setting yourself apart from your competition–about how to be taken seriously, you must establish yourself as an expert in your field. And while that’s all well and good, no one ever really tells you how you’re supposed to establish yourself as an expert. What goes into becoming an “expert” and how do you know if you’re doing it right or you’re just spinning your wheels and getting no brand karma? 14 Jul 2011 15:10:50 GMT http://smallbiztrends.com/2011/07/establishing-yourself-as-expert.htm B92BE10A-3214-454D-874E-6BF253BA498B Looking for ways to increase sales? One of the easiest ways of doing it is to shift your sales focus from new customers to your current customers. Find out how to make the most of the sales opportunities your current customers and/or clients provide with 6 Sure Ways to Increase Sales. 14 Jul 2011 15:04:35 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2011/07/08/6-sure-ways-to-increase-sales-10.htm BA66133B-BB6A-40EE-A516-F51E25E0DEF0 The standard for customer service is already law. If you are a business owner, you need to create an accessibility plan by January 1, 2012 that: •Considers a person's disability when communicating with them •Allows assistive devices in your workplace, like wheelchairs, walkers and oxygen tanks •Allows service animals •Welcomes support persons •Lets customers know when accessible services aren't available •Invites customers to provide feedback You will be required to use this plan to train staff on accessible customer service. 13 Jul 2011 16:10:17 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/6889/#When:11:30:35Z 15C0CD70-384D-474D-A4E8-49C0B00AC387 A QR code is a specific two-dimensional code, readable by a dedicated QR bar code reader, camera phone, or smartphone. With their reliance on bar codes, QR codes do not represent a new technology by any means. But they're on the 21st-century marketing hot list for reshaping the one-way bar-code system to make it more interactive. 12 Jul 2011 13:53:27 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/219959 8295DB15-906F-418B-85BE-46FDDA83EE2C As an entrepreneur, you often wear many hats. Not only are you responsible for providing your customers with the excellent products or services that they require, but it is also up to you to ensure that you are paid. After all, if your customers do not pay, you have no income. 12 Jul 2011 13:49:34 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/6879/#When:11:30:30Z 6D823209-63BD-4861-BC5D-7CC07D419EA3 While the vast majority of people use Facebook for personal use, it is important to create a business page for professional purposes. Here are ten things to consider when building your page: 11 Jul 2011 17:47:06 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/exit/the-top-tens/ten-ways-to-build-your-social-media-presence/article2090109 4F426A48-7A72-4A90-BB51-4A8E8164CDF5 When it comes to gaining a competitive edge and increasing revenues, small businesses face multiple challenges. Some operate in industries where many companies vie for a relatively small customer base. Others find themselves in direct competition with larger companies with deeper pockets. Growing a small business often means finding creative ways to engage and motivate three key stakeholder groups: employees, customers, and channel partners (resellers). 11 Jul 2011 16:56:03 GMT http://business.financialpost.com/2011/07/11/small-companies-eye-incentive-programs-to-grow/ 45DDBCFC-91D1-4314-B91A-F206A748BBCD WorkinginCanada.gc.ca is the Government of Canada's leading source for labour market information. It offers users, free and authoritative occupational and career information such as educational requirements, main duties, wage rates and salaries, current employment trends and outlooks. 7 Jul 2011 19:48:19 GMT http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca 0EDA438B-3C37-4AC8-8046-A7D8FD1A0283 Given the shifting shape of the online landscape in 2011, what’s the next step for a small business that already has a website but is wondering where to look now? Let's step through some of the pros and cons of the options before us today: 6 Jul 2011 19:22:44 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/business-categories/web-strategy/take-your-website-to-the-next-level/article2085566 6428979E-DC5B-4EDB-8655-D71AD5D22927 The strong dollar may be good news for those fond of shopping south of the border, but Toronto small businesses are singing a different tune as the rising Loonie weakens their exports. According to the TD Canada Trust Small Business Survey, Toronto small business owners that export internationally were most likely to say that the strong dollar is affecting their profits (46% versus 36% nationally) and they've seen a fall in demand from customers abroad (33% versus 22% nationally). 5 Jul 2011 14:50:06 GMT http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2011/05/c3191.html 0EF315A4-60A9-4079-AE7F-120963535099 Have you considered conducting a focus group to seek feedback from a targeted audience, like your customers? This effective way to gauge how your business is doing may keep you from functioning in a vacuum. 4 Jul 2011 13:39:55 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/6857 0E604CBA-D1CD-439C-B21B-968D56F7138D Technology can be a small business owner's best friend. It can help you work more efficiently, find more customers and save money while doing it. Here is a high-level look at 12 areas where technology can help your small business become more profitable and productive. 4 Jul 2011 13:36:34 GMT http:// A67507C6-9D36-40C6-B777-19D6C86A4978 This workshop will provide a basic introduction to fundraising for small groups and looks at basic fundraising techniques to include: where to start, reasons for giving, and whether developing special events is the direction your group wants to go in. This session will also highlight the importance of remaining true to your purpose and goals both when asking for money and when accepting donations. 22 Jun 2011 14:24:51 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/home/homecalendar/?paf_gear_id=4600018&itemId=111000123n 55EB8385-2874-4B8B-8C9A-74F1530C56C7 The Certified General Accountants of Ontario (CGA Ontario) releases a sequel to its first edition HST booklet, Harmonized Sales Tax in Canada, entitled Harmonized Sales Tax for Ontario Business. 8 Jun 2011 21:43:38 GMT http://www.cga-ontario.org/assets/file/2011_CGAO_HST_book_II.pdf 2F8990BF-A470-41EA-81A8-E7DB662FFB7D Are you looking for a loan to start or grow your small business? The Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) can help. By sharing the risk with your financial institution, the program may help you to secure up to $500,000. 8 Jun 2011 19:06:10 GMT http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/sbrp-rppe.nsf/eng/h_rd02583.html C7FF5921-79FD-4438-B9CD-FF22CB30FE95 This workshop will provide a basic introduction tofundraising for small groups and looks at basic fundraising techniques to include: where to start,reasons for giving, and whether developing specialevents is the direction your group wants to go in. 8 Jun 2011 19:02:52 GMT http://www.volunteermbc.org/PDFs/Summer_2011_Volunteer_MBC_Fundraising_First_Steps.pdf 74ECC828-D7E9-4079-91BB-DD1E4F55DAB0 Here's what you get… •A free efficiency audit •Funding of up to $1,000 for retrofits (the average cost including labour costs and taxes is $840) •Upgrades for your fluorescent lighting systems to T8 and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), LED exit lights, water-heater jackets, pipe insulation, and faucet aerators. Learn about safe handling and disposal of CFLs. 18 May 2011 19:03:08 GMT http://www.enersource.com/energy-savings-tips/Pages/power-savings-blitz.aspx 9B4B5EAD-8CEA-4A5A-B1D0-7B5B6A8DAFDA Since 1980, YMCA Employer Services has helped meet employer staffing needs in virtually every industry and economic sector. Here’s how they can help you: •Do you need to hire? If you operate a business in Ontario, have a look at our Employment Service •Fill short-term or seasonal position with Summer Jobs Service program •Train motivated youth in a 4-week skills training experience in Youth Careers For more information check out the link. 13 May 2011 14:19:11 GMT http://www.ymcagta.org/en/who-we-work-with/employers/index.html 9AB0A583-D52D-4A8B-AACA-B5594C7CC903 Workplace injuries and fatalities can usually be traced to a few root causes that may vary by sector. The Ministry of Labour’s proactive inspection blitzes on sector-specific hazards are designed to raise awareness and increase compliance with health and safety legislation. These blitzes are announced in advance and results are reported after they are completed. The ministry tracks each sector to determine if the blitzes result in a long-lasting increase in compliance and decrease in injuries. 3 May 2011 15:36:30 GMT http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/blitzes/index.php 436CD041-A49E-48E2-85D1-245115DBAE95 Young, new and migrant workers need special attention because it has been shown that they are at more risk of injury than their older or more experienced counterparts, especially in the first four to six months of employment. In this free webinar during North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH), Jan Chappel from CCOHS will discuss how experience has shown that a successful training or outreach program will: 2 May 2011 15:20:30 GMT http://www.ccohs.ca/products/webinars/new_workers/ B0CD478E-2DF4-4C74-86B6-A2FBF6667F0A HTX and EDC have teamed up to bring you an exciting overview of the market in Mexico. You will hear from a regulatory expert and economist on the ins and outs of doing business in Mexico. 21 Apr 2011 01:12:45 GMT http://doingbusinessinmexico.eventbrite.com/ 3CBFE4A3-56D5-44B9-9FC8-6FB5A491175B JOIN US AT... SUPPLY ONTARIO - MISSISSAUGA 2:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Thursday, April 28, 2011 Mississauga Convention Centre, 75 Derry Road West Mississauga, Ontario This is an opportunity… to learn about goods or services that you may be able to supply to the Government of Ontario to learn about the Government of Ontario’s key program priorities and initiatives to meet and network with government representatives from the different Ontario 18 Apr 2011 16:46:27 GMT http://www.doingbusiness.mgs.gov.on.ca/mbs/psb/psb.nsf/EN/SupplyOntarioAnnouncement-eng B96CD096-7677-4891-A28F-3BFC5B78068E Ontario is making it easier for businesses to focus on what they do best - create jobs - by cutting red tape and unnecessary regulations. The Open for Business Act (2010), which delivered more than 100 changes, along with the Good Government Act (2009), the 2009 Ontario Budget and other measures are helping to save businesses time and money in many ways. Here are some of the benefits resulting from these initiatives: 23 Mar 2011 15:39:20 GMT http://news.ontario.ca/medt/en/2011/03/ontario-bringing-industry-to-the-table.html 62547F9E-8BEB-4EDD-9E49-DD8BFC538E6C It requires nothing more than a laser-like focus on finding ways to bring those you serve greater benefit or more distinctive results than what is already out there 18 Mar 2011 14:52:52 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/grow/ryan-caligiuri/create-your-competitive-advantage/article1944718/ 48427433-1E2F-44DE-9F8B-513FABE8A9D8 Read the latest on Mississauga's business community. Find out about company openings, announcements and related news. 15 Mar 2011 21:19:50 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/file/COM/_Winter_2011_New_Business_Newsletter.pdf 8F45EE5C-8CE8-47DA-9F61-E5E542AC4B74 15 Mar 2011 15:21:28 GMT http://www.enersource.com/energy-savings-tips/Pages/small-businesses.aspx D152045E-E375-4FD9-B22A-FCF3EA8C79AA If your suppliers can't meet an increase in demand, neither can you. Here's how to make sure you're both ready for better times. 9 Mar 2011 14:30:56 GMT http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/10/how-to-budget-and-manage-inventory-for-2011.html 4025D851-55D9-4557-BBB4-4A23D78107AB When you run your own business, you don't have the time or the money to be a victim of fraud, a challenging problem that touches everyone. It is far better to take measures to arm yourself with strategies on how to prevent fraud from affecting your bottom line than to lose revenue that you work hard to earn. 9 Mar 2011 14:28:52 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/6456/ 9DB76939-D91E-4419-8DCD-4B46590665B5 This Customer Service Guide is designed to take a systematic approach to good customer service. The articles here will teach you what good customer service is and give you tools to assess and improve customer service in your small business. 16 Jan 2011 17:01:30 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2010/11/29/customer-service-guide-for-small-business.htm 4F29438F-B767-459A-B7A8-41F12DFD1311 February 3, 2011 marks the first day of the Chinese New Year, Year of the Rabbit. The Mississauga Chinese Business Association (“MCBA”) cordially invites you to join us with Mayor McCallion in celebrating the Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year Greetings Reception will be held at Mississauga Civic Centre, Great Hall. Date: Thursday, February 3, 2011 Time: Reception – 10:15 am Ceremony – 10:30 am Refreshment and Cultural Performance – 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Venue: Great Hall, Mississauga Civic Centre, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga We sincerely wish the Year of the Rabbit would bring you good health, luck, fortune and prosperity. We will be very honoured to have your presence at this celebration. In reply, please contact Shella Chun at (905) 625-6222 by January 28, 2011. 31 Jan 2011 15:50:02 GMT http:// 7C208699-4828-4AB6-B62E-0E6BA84702C6 With the continuing U.S. slowdown and the simultaneous rise of the economies of many developing nations, it’s becoming more and more clear that the future of Canadian business lies in exporting. Whether you produce goods or services, chances are that there are markets for your products outside Canada’s borders—if you know where they are and how to serve them economically. 17 Jan 2011 18:31:22 GMT http://www.profitguide.com/article/8824--opportunities-abound-in-exports 3C299722-0B9A-4B80-98FF-04A5593A43DA This is the second post in a three-part series this week on how to obtain private sector funding for your growing business. 13 Jan 2011 15:09:58 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/6156/ 7D99AC80-F977-41F4-B7C8-A0A682BCA4E6 Are financial limitations preventing your successful business from moving forward? If your business has reached a stage where an influx of cash is needed in order to finance growth or expansion, it is time to plan out your strategy towards obtaining funding. COur guide on Steps to Growth Capital can help you chart your course. 10 Jan 2011 18:08:12 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/6145/ 7241047F-7A96-4037-8B4C-A4879CFCFD36 Learn to start and build your business at this FREE Small Business Information Fair on Tuesday February 08, 2011 at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. 7 Jan 2011 16:36:34 GMT https://tpsgc-pwgsc1.sondages-surveys.ca/s/ORSMEN-FEB-2011/?lang=en D9F40784-924C-4FA4-A932-9CDB6684C509 Here are some very common reasons SMB Web sites fail to attract customers and how to avoid falling prey to them. 4 Jan 2011 17:45:58 GMT http://smallbiztrends.com/2011/01/5-reasons-your-web-site-isn’t-attracting-leads.html 1A7B27A7-B8B3-4BA9-B5D3-B1B9B65DB27F Do you know your goals and objectives for 2011? Revisit your business plan to make sure you meet your goals. 4 Jan 2011 17:33:35 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2011/01/03/260697.htm F0ABD501-A5FD-4DA0-B1BD-FF929D39E987 MBEC will be closed from 12 pm on December 24 until Tuesday January 4th, 2011. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year. 24 Dec 2010 15:25:27 GMT http:// D18FBEA8-2921-40F6-9118-94E6E2C5CE56 Whether you outsource or manage everything in-house is up to you. But if your company is already outsourcing its social media work, or is considering doing so, take note of the following do's and don'ts: 24 Dec 2010 15:02:36 GMT http://blog.entrepreneur.com/2010/12/8-social-media-outsourcing-dos-and-donts.php AD728969-0AB6-4888-8E2A-8DA082BCC82F Learn how ONe-source helps you search for funding programs and find permits and licences for your Ontario business. 23 Dec 2010 15:46:56 GMT https://www.appmybizaccount.gov.on.ca/wps/portal/mba_pub 94C3E4C1-2EFD-42A2-AC1E-0F670F843432 Canadian entrepreneurs are increasingly looking south and overseas for new markets, but that first step can sometimes be a doozy 22 Dec 2010 15:32:49 GMT http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/food/food-business/are-you-ready-to-export-17873 FC651D85-752B-4A15-880D-66E1D256F0FC Find out more at this video from the Ontario Ministry of Labour 17 Dec 2010 18:16:56 GMT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ21yoIjfOQ&feature=youtu.be&a 19A47665-049A-44EC-96A8-BFE87A450E4A If you are operating your business online or selling on-line, then you need to read this. 15 Dec 2010 16:19:04 GMT http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/kprc/cmmrc/menu-eng.html 50320DB6-4C0D-4346-9338-F7326D7E6707 Survey results released Thursday by IT staffing firm Robert Half Technology — based on interviews with chief information officers — showed 40 per cent of them block online access to shopping websites. Another 28 per cent said they allow online shopping at work, but would monitor for excessive activity, while 26 per cent said they would allow unlimited access. 26 Nov 2010 15:31:30 GMT http://www.canada.com/life/Online+shopping+blocked+many+Canadian+workplaces/3883125/story.html 2912A459-FEF0-42BE-B1C7-1AA5DC27F3BA Like it or not, you need social media to develop and protect your reputation, and to grow your business. 25 Nov 2010 15:23:11 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/217578 C23608AA-A061-4AA6-B336-168DC0888399 Canada and India have begun free-trade negotiations, a development that could mean billions more in increased trade for both nations. 12 Nov 2010 15:57:44 GMT http://www.financialpost.com/Canada+India+begin+free+trade+talks/3817804/story.html 4FE60F5D-D21D-4E11-B8B0-34E0A0442AEC Why not take advantage of available help to get your business export ready? These organizations offer a number of services that can help you expand to international markets. 11 Nov 2010 17:52:22 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/3111/ 83A91F36-65E7-457E-9BCE-53B6E697A369 Marketing and advertising are not synonymous and 'placing a few ads' is never going to draw the kind of business a small business needs to be successful. Marketing is a process, not an event. It involves planning marketing goals and implementing (often a series of) marketing strategies to achieve them.Here are six simple marketing strategies you can use to increase your customers and sales. 11 Nov 2010 17:50:31 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2010/02/17/6-simple-marketing-strategies.htm 024B11A8-B2EE-4DCF-8CFA-A33C3D8606AB Find opportunities to sell your products or services to governments and other organizations using the MERX system. Access billions of dollars in contracting opportunities from: * the federal government; * provincial and territorial governments; * municipalities; * academic institutions and school boards; * hospitals; * the construction sector; * the United States government. 9 Nov 2010 17:14:33 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1040/ 231272F3-97D2-4008-8FA3-FE331093859C If you ignore your competition, you hamstring your small business. While you're busy ignoring them, the competition may be chomping away at your market share. If you don't know what the competition is up to, you can't make the intelligent decisions that will keep the customers you have or entice new ones. 9 Nov 2010 17:12:49 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2010/02/03/how-to-know-what-your-competition-is-up-to.htm FDF9AA88-D98F-491F-A2AD-042085A26E29 In the past year, however, angel investors have staged a comeback. In 2009, it was estimated that private investors pumped $1.9 billion into Canadian companies, according to Profit Magazine. Learn how to find one for your innovative business. 18 Oct 2010 16:59:18 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/start/mark-evans/the-return-of-the-angel-investor/article1757661/?cmpid=rss1 43309D53-EBC5-4677-9CCA-1584D641D9E8 Collecting the money that your customers owe you can be an arduous, stressful task if you don't approach it in a consistent manner. However, ensuring that you're getting paid on time is an essential aspect of business that will help you maintain positive cash flow. Just as your suppliers expect you to pay them on time, you, in turn, must require the same of your customers. Follow these tips to help ensure that your clients are always paying you. 18 Oct 2010 16:43:08 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/5392/#When:13:03:50Z 09BC71B9-AB1F-4027-8AD7-04C31267099F This Privacy For Small Business Online Tool will walk you through the information you need to comply with privacy laws and to provide your customers with the privacy protection they expect. 18 Oct 2010 16:41:18 GMT http://priv.gc.ca/resource/tool-outil/english/index.asp?a=logout 88E70684-749D-46A3-A64B-530BE2B3ADA4 Bankers and entrepreneurs have different perspectives and different interests. These differences are ingrained, but good times can create a comfort level that obscures them. Now in times of tighter credit and a slower economy, these different interests are thrown into sharp relief. "What are bankers looking for? What do they need to see from a client especially when their business is under pressure in difficult economic conditions?" 20 Sep 2010 21:03:04 GMT http://www.bdc.ca/en/advice_centre/articles/Pages/bankers.aspx 2CDA6E28-A422-48A5-891E-95BC57020B38 The sales part of small business ownership feels like a stretch for many of us. Selling is just so far out of our comfort zones that it's downright awkward to do. But despite the discomfort, sales is a necessary part of every successful small business 17 Sep 2010 22:18:54 GMT http://sbinformation.about.com/b/2010/09/13/small-business-sales.htm 25708692-6855-4EE5-935A-4798FB0CDF34 Celebrated from September 20 to 24 this year, Learn @ Work Week is a national event during which organizations and companies raise awareness of workplace learning and plan learning activities. Businesses, governments and not-for-profit organizations are invited to share their learning initiatives with their employees and the public. 17 Sep 2010 21:18:08 GMT http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?m=/index&nid=560619 C4119DA9-50C7-4C89-B95A-21713BD7D555 A lot of companies have a vision for what they offer, but potential customers may have a completely different view 13 Sep 2010 15:05:00 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/start/mark-evans/when-eyes-glaze-over-you-have-a-problem/article1705149/?cmpid=rss1 60EEE5A7-B0E1-4C42-82BF-4C8058786DB0 Employers and workers don’t see eye to eye on critical hiring skills, according to a new study. 10 Sep 2010 15:28:51 GMT http://www.thestar.com/business/article/858873--employers-and-workers-face-knowledge-gap 38BD55A8-4D8E-4CFF-BBC1-F203CF0A3498 Then check out the new website Restaurant Central from the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Assocation that is full of information on financing, operations, marketing and much more. A must visit website for any entrepreneur. 9 Sep 2010 15:26:05 GMT http://www.restaurantcentral.ca/ E0D6A90A-9DDA-4C9C-8AED-46901E64FACD Using a few free tools can help lure customers to your website -- and keep them coming back. 9 Sep 2010 14:38:25 GMT http://smallbusiness.aol.com/2010/09/07/how-to-build-a-great-website-even-if-you-dont-think-you-need-o/ CF6090BE-DD4A-46D4-8F46-E87129933E49 Key Small Business Statistics is a semi-annual publication which provides information on the most frequently asked questions pertaining to small businesses in Canada. Updated sections include data on the number of businesses in Canada, job creation, earnings by business size, the number of self-employed workers as well as the contribution of small businesses to Canada's gross domestic product. 7 Sep 2010 17:33:24 GMT http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/05827.html 3C21638B-FA92-43DF-B90D-984300CBBBE6 Mississauga will create some 4,000 jobs annually over the next two decades, says the City’s director of economic developmen 7 Sep 2010 17:31:01 GMT http://www.mississauga.com/news/news/article/869281 783167A7-46AF-47A2-A671-09F93DB3811A See the media launch of the new 10 year Economic Development Strategy for the City of Mississauga on Rogers TV 7 Sep 2010 16:11:55 GMT http://www.rogerstv.com/option.asp?lid=237&rid=51&mid=52&gid=70205#10_159_3740 4F6EC94A-5766-415C-A13C-5FA6146E501B As a business owner, one of the best ways to build your business is through customer feedback. Even though you may have a great product, negative customer experiences can be "tweeted" about in seconds, causing your marketing and branding efforts to fail. 1 Sep 2010 16:40:52 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/4954 CE9679E4-F04B-4FA4-9323-62D83F73066F More than four in five internet users have had their computer infected with a virus at some point in their lifetime, and nearly 30% had gotten a virus in the past three months. 1 Sep 2010 16:35:41 GMT http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1007902 97BF3561-B017-4CCC-9739-ACB2FD0131D7 Three additional thoughts from a venture capitalist 25 Aug 2010 17:44:21 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/exit/john-warrillow/more-from-the-mind-of-the-venture-capitalist/article1683983 4E02E004-ADCD-4B66-9A5B-4E28AA1158B2 The first three ways to get the money you need for your brilliant idea 25 Aug 2010 17:43:09 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/exit/john-warrillow/inside-the-mind-of-a-venture-capitalist/article1683093 877E0C8A-8300-4AF3-96C4-6D7EE64E5542 McDonald's "special sauce" helped make the Big Mac unique. So what qualities set you apart from the competition? 23 Aug 2010 21:27:43 GMT http://smallbusiness.aol.com/2010/08/11/lessons-from-the-big-mac-whats-your-special-sauce/ EEEA50AC-1614-4509-A139-EB56A372B0D1 Hiring employees means creating rules for them to follow. How to write an employee handbook that can help you run a better company -- and protect you in court. 23 Aug 2010 21:25:46 GMT http://smallbusiness.aol.com/2010/08/07/how-to-write-an-employee-handbook/ 9CCA6F50-5B12-4A9F-A234-83DF244B07E5 Writing one on a consistent basis takes work, effort and time, but there are many personal and corporate benefits 20 Aug 2010 15:05:18 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/start/mark-evans/youve-decided-to-start-a-blog-now-what/article1679100/?cmpid=rss1 7B41A7F2-74C5-4F80-9A04-8C3893ADBE4C You have the right product or service at the right price and people are interested but what if you do not have the right customer service policies. Check out these customer service horror stories and identify what your small business would do to keep the customer happy. 18 Aug 2010 15:01:04 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/business-categories/customer-experience/your-top-customer-service-blunders/article1675744/?cmpid=rss1 831482C9-C703-45F8-9C60-9C7D4BC56AB3 The goal of every business is to be viable. In order for your business to thrive and survive, you need to be able to maintain consistent, positive cash flow. But what can you do to ensure you have enough cash coming in? 18 Aug 2010 14:59:11 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/5054/#When:13:18:04Z B4F5E434-C827-4EC4-9F80-4414EFEDB9CA Many successful small business owners have at least one thing in common -- the ability to see the big picture and envision what their success will look like tomorrow. Here are some of the activities successful small business owners complete to place their focus on the future and keep moving forward. 16 Aug 2010 14:41:56 GMT http://sbinformation.about.com/od/businessmanagemen1/a/nextlevel.htm C21351C1-4C59-4A6B-9598-322B745D90B9 The International Centre in Malton is the site this week of the largest gift trade show in Canada, running until Thursday. The Canadian Gift and Tableware Association (CGTA) is hosting the biannual event to showcase manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, distributors, suppliers and artists in the industry. The show features over 1,000 exhibitors and brings 16,500 retail buyers to Mississauga from across Canada and around the world. 11 Aug 2010 14:58:32 GMT http://www.mississauga.com/news/business/article/858987 5B10D114-EBD3-4DB7-8D94-C54F346578F5 So many small businesses are starting business blogs these days, and I think this is an all-around win. The benefits of a business blog are plentiful, and it really doesn't take much to get started. 9 Aug 2010 20:46:54 GMT http://sbinformation.about.com/b/2010/08/09/why-you-need-a-business-blog.htm AEF78DCA-F51F-4B90-B5EA-B2C0EE021A0D Get tools and tips for small to medium-sized businesses from Google's Small Business Blog 9 Aug 2010 20:45:18 GMT http://googlesmb.blogspot.com/ BA481028-5535-4AF4-9444-F84EFD2807DA Starting or growing a business? If so, learn about financing and venture capital opportunities, and get expert advice from the Business Development Bank of Canada. The BDC is presenting a free webinar that will introduce you to the financing, investment and consulting services that are available to help your business succeed. 5 Aug 2010 14:43:20 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/5010/#When:14:51:24Z 507D49B0-BF29-4D1E-A979-26C9224D3A69 As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, FedDev Ontario will provide $45 million through the National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) to eligible small and medium sized businesses in southern Ontario to boost their research and development capacities, increase innovation, create jobs and bring their ideas from the lab to the marketplace. 5 Aug 2010 14:37:18 GMT http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?m=/index&nid=550529 3FD7CDA1-11FC-4CE6-A1EE-A6BC58061266 Yahoo partnered with research firm AddedValue to survey 3,000 women in the U.S. Last week it released the results of the study, called "Women Connectonomics," which examines how and why women are using various websites. According to the study: 4 Aug 2010 14:58:04 GMT http://adage.com/adagestat/post?article_id=145224 04EBC606-64D7-486D-A243-A32C7C5C32A6 Small business owners are notorious for not taking vacations. In fact, according to a survey on vacation time commissioned by Sam's Club, nearly 50% of small business owners take only major holidays off or nothing at all. In my own poll that asks how much vacation time you take, almost a quarter of respondents (24%) say that they take only a day off here and there. 23 Jul 2010 14:17:16 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/management/a/vacation.htm 65581601-E61D-4B9F-98D3-8025CCCDBBE4 Canadian startups have enough to worry about without having to deal with the complexities of establishing an online marketing strategy. Larger companies tend to hire specialized PR firms to handle that strategy for them, but the exorbitant fees charged by those firms means smaller businesses are often left to fend for themselves. On Wednesday, Google Inc. offered them some help. 23 Jul 2010 14:14:58 GMT http://business.financialpost.com/2010/07/22/fp-tech-desk-google-for-advertisers-launches-canadian-site/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter 939AA16A-B8DA-4DAC-930E-E4F6D6F4ABF7 Using customer testimonials in your advertising and on your website is a common practice. If your customers are saying great things about your business, why not publicize them for the world to see? 22 Jul 2010 14:58:49 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/business-categories/customer-experience/customer-testimonials-can-fall-flat/article1647497/?cmpid=rss1 B82591F6-0EF2-42AB-B9C1-380ED1C09313 If you are running a successful unincorporated small business, you may be wondering whether it's time to incorporate. A corporation offers entrepreneurs many advantages, including limited liability and potential tax savings, but any tax benefits will depend on your personal cash flow needs and the status of your business. 22 Jul 2010 14:53:34 GMT http://www.financialpost.com/When+company+adds/3297931/story.html ED32393E-C761-4D5C-A91B-E23545EB4B78 Just because some investors are flush and friendly doesn’t mean they’ll fund your company. You better have a lot of very good reasons 22 Jul 2010 14:50:30 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business-wants-my-money-good-luck/article1648233/ EB62B32F-B8D4-4130-9E78-071C0973FAA4 If there was a way to grow your business by attracting serious buyers who spend more money, buy more often, and are more loyal, would you put extra emphasis on attracting them? 19 Jul 2010 21:13:17 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/word-of-mouth-can-be-the-best-advertising-around/article1641320/?cmpid=rss1 08DFDB9B-4096-492D-912A-4217F58EF8EA The Canada Revenue Agency has introduced a new simplified logbook to track motor-vehicle expenses. 19 Jul 2010 21:09:33 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2010/07/18/cool-tool-of-the-week-a-simplified-logbook-for-motor-vehicle-expenses.htm 19F34CE4-ACD3-4FC8-A264-58469D8B28DF Negotiating is an inevitable part of doing business. You negotiate with suppliers, distributors and customers. Good negotiations can lead to prosperity, while bad negotiations can damage your business profitability. Learn more about this important skill and activity. 14 Jul 2010 16:23:07 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/4653/#When:19:08:45Z 29AA6ABC-254D-44E4-BE38-6405805F8EF3 When business conditions are tough, it's essential to stay on top of your company's finances and boost your cash generation. 14 Jul 2010 16:22:02 GMT http://www.bdc.ca/EN/advice_centre/articles/Pages/cash_flow.aspx#When:19:06:07Z 8D2AEF5E-7E27-4335-8B6B-B6736586B812 If you use your car for business, you’ll be pleased with the Canada Revenue Agency’s introduction of a new simplified logbook to track motor-vehicle expenses, as part of the government’s overall strategy to assist and ease the tax-compliance burden for small- and medium-sized businesses. 12 Jul 2010 19:36:41 GMT http://www.financialpost.com/logbook+helps+business+track+personal+business+travel/3251566/story.html 100C977B-1D09-40CF-A9B9-016A321DB34D The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) has partnered with Industry Canada to undertake the first Canadian State of Retail report. This unique analysis is intended to help Canadian retail sector executives as well as decision makers enhance their understanding of current market trends, the strategic significance of retail sector innovation and practices that improve business competitiveness across industries. 12 Jul 2010 19:28:11 GMT http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/05706.html 758A1102-515B-4B60-A787-D33B49B0DB70 This guide explores what trade-marks are, how they can benefit you and your organization, and why registration is important. Further, this guide provides an overview of the trade-mark registration process. 9 Jul 2010 18:34:27 GMT http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/05703.html 3CC62161-F685-4814-A57D-D5DAC0891B04 Twitter is becoming increasingly popular with small business owners. And what do they want when they're there? According to The Enterprise Council on Small Business, small business owners want you to focus on providing them with tools they can use to better run their businesses, and keeping them informed about promotions that will save them money. And because Twitter operates on a timeline, one of the things you can do to increase your chances of the small business audience seeing your tweets is to tweet when small business owners are most likely to be using Twitter. Business owners are most likely to tweet between 1 to 5 p.m., and after 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday are the most popular days for them to Tweet. 9 Jul 2010 18:27:58 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2010/07/09/twitter-tip-time-your-tweets-to-reach-small-business.htm DF533843-0FBC-4DB3-93F7-21E9DCAD593E What you need to know now that the Ontario Retail Sales Tax is being pahsed out 6 Jul 2010 18:53:36 GMT http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/notices/hst/03.html#When:14:12:20Z 5973E027-CDE5-469B-9206-2D4878AE5F45 Hire people with the skills you need to fill in the gaps. Be sure your hiring process is carefully targeted to recruiting with a view to gain the necessary capabilities, and re-jig the roles and responsibilities, so that new managers aren't perceived as invading someone else's turf 6 Jul 2010 18:52:28 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/4911/#When:15:17:24Z E19CDC09-7C83-4F16-90D5-3DA912D085D5 More than 50 percent of consumers expect personalized merchandising, starting with a personalized home page, while one in four look for these tailored experiences at the search results, product, and category pages 6 Jul 2010 18:51:26 GMT http://www.retailwire.com/discussions/sngl_discussion.cfm/14606 E835046F-6D4A-4D2B-97C2-742C375D05C3 Cash flow is truly the lifeblood of any small business. So when tight credit starts choking your cash flow, it's important that you act right away to remove the blockage and get your business' cash flow flowing again. Here are five quick things you can do to improve your small business' cash flow. 5 Jul 2010 14:41:44 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/cashflowmgt/a/quickcashflow.htm 6F96F159-B0B5-4AFC-BCA8-2CEAFDB52E26 Find statistics that are specific to your chosen industry. This information can help you to better understand your industry and help you to keep up to date on the latest trends that could impact your business. 5 Jul 2010 14:39:50 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/88/192/ 0E028182-04FA-4E21-AAAB-7190E60505BD Want to make your small business look big? Here's what customers are looking for when they visit. 2 Jul 2010 17:29:24 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/ebusiness/buildingawebsite/article207300.html D25969A1-8A7F-478E-A79E-DBC72BE291B6 Entrepreneurs should resist the urge to buy consumer machines, which have shorter life spans and might not mesh with other PCs 28 Jun 2010 15:58:26 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/business-categories/biz-categories-technology/cheap-laptops-unlikely-to-survive-business-use/article1617974/?cmpid=rss1 DA2FCF10-FDFE-4C08-84BD-902EE4D158D2 Canada Day is also HST day in Ontario and B.C. - and only days away now. Surprisingly, about half of small businesses in both provinces say they won't be ready to apply the new tax, according to a survey done by Angus Reid, on behalf of tax-management software maker Intuit Canada (54% of respondents in Ontario and 47% in British Columbia) (Ontario and BC Small Businesses Say They're Not Ready for HST Deadline, 28 Jun 2010 15:56:53 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2010/06/28/hst-last-minute-help.htm 1E50E8CF-AB37-43C8-86F5-4A87AB36970E So, you think you have all your online marketing bases covered? Sure, you may be reaching moms over 40 with your super smoothie maker ad and men between 30 and 60 with your online golf resale marketplace offer, but reaching potential customers online should be more than simply broadcasting ads to large demographic sets. The online market is packed with various ethnicities, interests, lifestyles, religious affiliations and more. Many of these niche audiences are expanding rapidly and are made up of millions of potential customers that you might not have considered before because they were one step removed from your obvious targets. 25 Jun 2010 20:15:23 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/marketing/marketresearch/article207244.html 9531FD2D-A68F-4844-8E8C-9E3051EE28FD Nobody tells your success stories better than your satisfied customers. 25 Jun 2010 19:55:39 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/marketing/onlinemarketing/article207254.html 83660086-F298-4C7D-A43A-BF39E0EC5FAD Disorganization and confusion are irritating, but they're also just plain bad for business. Think of it as a formula, if you like: chaos increasing equals profits decreasing. What to do? Control chaos by applying these basic office management principles. Once you start applying these seven principles of good office management, you'll be amazed at the difference good office management makes - and how much more business you do. 25 Jun 2010 19:54:22 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2010/06/25/7-ways-to-control-chaos-in-your-small-business-9.htm 52E27001-A965-4AD7-918C-A32239907D6C Using a CRM system, a business can keep track of key customer information such as contacts, communications, accounts, buying histories and preferences, matching customer needs with product and service offerings. Companies can analyse the data to identify their best customers, enrich and individualize customer contact, manage marketing campaigns, reduce customer response times and serve wider geographical regions. 23 Jun 2010 19:44:17 GMT http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/dir-ect.nsf/eng/h_uw00253.html#When:13:42:49Z 7A5BA583-216B-4836-856F-B33E9FE64101 Brands that use microblogging sites like Twitter to provide real-time responses to the public are winning a higher degree of trust from consumers, according to a study by a leading public relations firm 23 Jun 2010 19:35:55 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/personal-tech/consumers-say-in-tweets-we-trust/article1614639/ 7B91EF40-8523-4C2C-BAB7-031BC616FF1A This guide designed for small and medium businesses will help you navigate the process. 21 Jun 2010 15:01:31 GMT http://www.contractscanada.gc.ca/documents/pdf/bpme-osme-100414-eng.pdf#When:19:38:05Z 42705034-8E60-46F1-8C0F-2D8BAF2F3A90 As of July 1st, 2010 Ontario and B.C. will become Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) provinces. In other words, the consumer tax structure in these provinces will change from a separate federal tax (GST) and provincial sales tax (PST) system to a single federally administered tax (HST). The information in this article, HST: What Your Small Business Needs to Know, will help you keep track of the GST, HST and PST requirements of each Canadian province and territory and help your small business correctly charge and remit the correct GST, HST or PST. 21 Jun 2010 15:00:03 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2010/06/21/hst-what-your-small-business-needs-to-know.htm 02B7A594-D78B-4D41-9FDB-ED91F2458F16 Millions of employees in Ontario began receiving more protection in workplaces on Tuesday under new legislation to stamp out violence and sexual harassment. 17 Jun 2010 18:51:06 GMT http://www.thestar.com/business/article/823852--employees-get-more-protection-from-harassment-on-the-job 43DC6407-8E30-4ED1-A434-94073FF0E825 Delivering great customer service doesn't guarantee that your company will make any money, and if your small business is "delivering incredible service but no one seems impressed" it may be that you're providing the wrong kind of customer service 17 Jun 2010 18:48:53 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2010/06/16/are-you-providing-the-right-kind-of-customer-service.htm 8B257574-403F-4C6B-8665-E6288AB52EF4 This invoice sample shows an example of billing for a product with HST being sold by an Ontario business. Feel free to use this as an invoice template for your own small business; just change the HST rate to the HST rate applicable to your province if necessary. 14 Jun 2010 16:42:07 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/invoices/a/invoicesamplehst.htm 88E37F51-1666-4A0B-8AE6-9CCF0837B28F Are you considering building a website for your small business--or having one built for you? Before you dive in and create one, it's crucial that you consider your website an investment in your business and act accordingly. This means looking down the road and making sure that the way you build your site allows you flexibility and a cost-effective way to grow the site--and, in turn, your business. 11 Jun 2010 15:03:51 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/ebusiness/buildingawebsite/article206968.html CEB6CC93-3126-4B05-9754-B38702D3D895 It takes more than quarterly meetings with your accountant to keep your business open. 10 Jun 2010 14:20:42 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/money/moneymanagement/article206966.html E05E8B87-C99E-4ADD-861D-D592CADB926E Most professional acquirers have a checklist of questions they need answered before buying a business. They’ll want answers to these detailed questions: 8 Jun 2010 14:51:48 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/exit/john-warrillow/four-things-a-buyer-doesnt-want-you-to-know/article1595953/?cmpid=rss1 FE18CC8A-30FC-4CA8-A125-32CC37FB51DE The Internet has revolutionized the way businesses market themselves. In this interactive workshop, learn what internet marketing can do for your small business. This workshop is led by an experienced entrepreneur experienced in marketing on the Internet. All workshop materials will be provided. 7 Jun 2010 15:24:35 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/business/startyourbusinesscalendar?paf_gear_id=12700032&itemId=77500069&viewCal=month&viewMonth=6-2010 A28FEDA9-D35C-4A39-9F65-0C09EE2D840A The recent boom in mobile devices, in terms of both the scope and nature of usage, is heightening the potential for mobile commerce. A majority of Canadians today have access to a mobile phone; in fact, some have access to more than one, and a growing number even rely exclusively on wireless telephony. 7 Jun 2010 15:22:32 GMT http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/oca-bc.nsf/eng/ca02518.html 56ABA0D4-1E58-4A99-816F-2ADC70E1B3FF Best way to get ahead is to know what rivals are doing 4 Jun 2010 17:24:58 GMT http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37448436/ns/business-small_business/ 1ED187EE-6100-49DC-B069-AF7B7CCAF43E Cash-flow modelling is a useful tool that can help a small business assess risk and plan for costs, accountants say 4 Jun 2010 17:21:30 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/business-categories/financial-management/how-to-spot-cash-crunches-ahead-of-time/article1588281/?cmpid=rss1 F8E90EEE-60B6-4A23-ABB7-6C860A805A50 It's now just under one month until the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) goes into effect in Ontario and B.C., replacing the separate GST and provincial sales tax systems. Is your business ready? 3 Jun 2010 16:28:47 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2010/06/01/hst-resources-for-small-businesses.htm 4CA41129-AF9C-4894-B05F-2E1970AC5301 To succeed in the Internet age, North American retailers need to embrace new ways of doing business, a Canadian retail industry conference heard. 3 Jun 2010 16:27:27 GMT http://www.thestar.com/business/article/817013--internet-shaping-the-way-people-buy-retailers-told E2076D9D-CF6D-49AD-8E0B-6003DD8694D3 This issue of the Small Business Quarterly features an article that highlights some of the findings from a recent survey that quantifies the extent of the paperwork burden on the competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses in Canada. Additional articles cover recent trends in job creation, business insolvencies, and the most recent self-employment figures. 28 May 2010 18:44:54 GMT http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/05600.html 5225261E-5E61-4C91-B410-ACC2BC9B57FE The Governments of Ontario and British Columbia will each implement a harmonized sales tax (HST) that will come into effect on July 1, 2010 and will be administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The CRA is taking steps to ensure that businesses get the information they need to transition to the federal administration of the HST. 28 May 2010 18:43:49 GMT http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/nwsrm/txtps/2010/tt100527-eng.html?rss 9915E06D-5346-4947-B2CF-DF6D9373C326 A small business can alienate its prize customers if they are left out of the best deals, experts say 26 May 2010 15:30:56 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/business-categories/customer-experience/treat-each-customer-the-same-or-reward-the-best/article1580287 12A4C150-040F-496A-95ED-A8C987259037 For companies to thrive employees at the bottom level must be healthy, adequately rested, well trained and motivated in their work. Entry-level workers carry volumes of institutional and practical knowledge that can streamline operations in most organizations. 26 May 2010 15:28:03 GMT http://www.thestar.com/business/article/814232--happy-employees-means-healthy-bottom-line-says-mcgill-study 96D862B4-E009-4214-975F-F0931BEB7439 Some companies don’t know when they need protection, or when they may be infringing on someone’s turf 25 May 2010 16:28:09 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/start/tony-wilson/copyright-issues-that-can-affect-your-business/article1579843 4188E988-F468-4A64-85CD-918E0C79D944 Anti-malware software systems keep computers secure in small organizations 21 May 2010 15:29:12 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/business-categories/biz-categories-technology/viruses-worms-and-data-breaches-begone/article1574480/ A5F6C1B1-FB07-42E2-9902-B24FE8BF7335 Spyware is software that has been installed on your computer without your consent. It is most often used to obtain personal information by monitoring or controlling your computer. 21 May 2010 15:22:17 GMT http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/oca-bc.nsf/eng/ca02515.html 77B69794-85CD-4710-AEF6-73A058483F74 The devil is in the details--are you paying attention to the 'little things?' 20 May 2010 14:51:05 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/sales/customerservicecolumnistsydneybarrows/article206760.html 3EBC5B1D-E0C6-461F-8281-D92D16E5BDFC On Monday, McCallion and other business leaders in Mississauga launched an initiative to get businesses to each create just two more summer jobs for area youths this year. The event was part of a follow-up to the jobs summit that the mayor called late last year to deal with the problem of youth unemployment in the city. 19 May 2010 14:29:04 GMT http://www.mississauga.com/news/news/article/817860 343B761D-E13C-4931-B060-CE9F64F9F57F If your business didn't have access to electricity, telephones, water or gas for 72 hours or more, would you know what to do? Is your office building protected from flooding, forest fires, or any other natural disasters? Are you and your employees safe from workplace hostility, cyber crime and unexpected computer outages? If your key supplier went on strike tomorrow or a pandemic spread across your community, would you be prepared? 18 May 2010 17:43:15 GMT http://www.hazmatmag.com/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000371423&link_source=aypr_HM&link_targ=DailyNews 188EDB90-008D-4299-99CE-86867D8E8C95 They're your hidden growth assets. Follow these 4 tips to become a valued customer. 13 May 2010 17:08:23 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/growyourbusiness/businessstrategies/article206530.html 8C9FF723-73A5-4219-B509-62C64F7358FE Use these tips to maximize your time and get the most out of your online efforts. 11 May 2010 14:33:47 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/marketing/marketingideas/networkingcolumnistivanmisner/article206500.html DFCEA85B-965B-48E8-A65E-4D834DBE2758 Ontario employers have new resource tools to help prevent violence and address harassment in the workplace. New requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act come into effect on June 15, 2010. The workplace violence tool kit and accompanying guide will assist employers in complying with these new requirements. 10 May 2010 14:59:19 GMT http://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2010/05/new-workplace-violence-prevention-tools-for-employers.html 1C92A2BE-9C5F-49DC-8909-24386E3C0D31 In 2009, 80% of Canadians aged 16 and older, or 21.7 million people, used the Internet for personal reasons, up from 73% in 2007 10 May 2010 14:58:15 GMT http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100510/dq100510a-eng.htm 14EA5508-681B-4D66-B242-14E00EB49F81 The cost can be significant, but that investment can pay of. For many small businesses, the cost of a conference can be significant – whereas larger business can roll them into a marketing or sales budget. In many ways, however, conferences can be a great investment by providing attendees a way to capture the spotlight. 5 May 2010 15:06:16 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/start/mark-evans/is-there-value-in-attending-conferences/article1557434/ 4E1A685F-EAF3-4B58-8394-AC28A924EA05 Restaurant and food service inspection across Canada is generally carried out by provincial governments, municipalities or regional health authorities. You can report any concerns about restaurant food to your local inspection authority. 4 May 2010 21:34:44 GMT http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/labeti/retdet/rest1e.shtml C67B7F0E-3D82-4BEA-8B68-A6360AC10A88 Online marketing, an essential tool for any business today, should complement traditional marketing rather than replace it. Here are some pointers to help you make the most of your online marketing efforts. 4 May 2010 21:32:18 GMT http://www.bdc.ca/en/my_project/Projects/articles/marketing_online.htm?context=%7B29D8FAF6%2DE7F9%2D4DD7%2DB272%2D557EA2C5A81A%7D&cookie%5Ftest=1 628D16A0-7D94-42B2-8BF9-999131B327E3 Every business needs advertising. Following a few basic rules will help you develop an effective message, choose the right medium and get the most out of an advertising agency. 22 Apr 2010 21:41:00 GMT http://www.bdc.ca/en/my_project/Projects/articles/marketing_advertising.htm 0D4852BA-7AD6-4FE1-BD55-7DB842E7A5BC Mississauga-based PepsiCo Beverages of Canada is launching a program today that will make $1 million in grants available to people with fresh ideas about how to improve the world. 16 Apr 2010 17:51:56 GMT http://www.mississauga.com/news/business/article/801333 D5D70F3B-A6A8-4990-B484-380D6376BD2C Building a solid customer base for your business should be the goal of every operator. Long before you consider any professional advertising program, you must focus on the quality of your operation and its day-to-day practices - this will allow you to deliver the best possible experience to every guest, every time 16 Apr 2010 17:50:44 GMT http://www.crfa.ca/runningarestaurant/runningasuccessfulrestaurant/article08_promotingonabudget.asp#When:12:35:40Z 8F94B728-3ABB-4E2B-8B17-0563B8FECBF8 The mating dance that entrepreneurs do with prospective investors--venture-capital firms, angels or even just friends and family members--has obvious parallels to the dating scene. On the one hand, you don't want to seem so eager for a term sheet that the investor thinks you're desperate and tries to low-ball you. On the other, you don't want to appear so aloof and arrogant that the investor passes on your deal because he doesn't think you need his money. 13 Apr 2010 19:03:25 GMT http://blog.entrepreneur.com/2010/04/the-rules-of-venture-capital-2010.php C3766090-5CFE-4139-AB93-895A815B17FF Different types of business partners are required to create and implement a successful e-business strategy. Think twice before you hand over the responsibility to a ''friend who knows about computers.'' Your e-business is important and, if at all possible, you should outsource the job to professionals, but keep yourself involved in the process. 9 Apr 2010 15:21:42 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/3400/ 42A00297-F3FC-4A9D-A20B-CA4C640A039A It may seem counterintuitive to write about skills and labour shortages during a period of economic uncertainty, but bear with me. Canadians, particularly those looking for work, may be surprised to learn many small businesses have continued to struggle to find qualified staff right through the recession. 6 Apr 2010 21:46:22 GMT http://www.financialpost.com/small-business/story.html?id=2767113 6B8B9FC1-5E5F-4E3F-9551-219A8FC870C3 When & How to Charge Ontario HST 5 Apr 2010 14:28:58 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/gsthst/a/ontariohst.htm 65285499-B63D-4C2B-9E7B-10906930C65E Canada Revenue Agency, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Revenue will help ensure that businesses receive the information they need for the transition to the federal administration of the HST in Ontario. Pre-registration is required. 1 Mar 2010 16:58:42 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/file/COM/MBEC_-_HST_Seminar_Flyer.pdf 6F3A78C8-0A9D-4FCC-95FD-C32565A5A1FA Ontario is bringing in the seventh consecutive annual increase to the minimum wage - raising it to $10.25, effective tomorrow. As of today, the minimum wage will have increased almost 50 per cent since 2004, when it stood at $6.85. Between 1995 and 2004 the minimum wage in Ontario remained frozen. 31 Mar 2010 15:14:37 GMT http://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2010/03/ontarios-minimum-wage-goes-up-tomorrow-1.html 75A0E054-0083-4FBD-9B9E-C4186083E1D3 The legislation is now in force and self-employed people who wish to access benefits can start paying into employment insurance. Benefits will be available starting in January 2011. To access benefits starting in January 2011, you need to register for employment insurance special benefits by April 1, 2010. If you register after April 1, 2010, you will need to wait a full year (12 months) before you are eligible for benefits. 31 Mar 2010 14:48:07 GMT http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/blog/entry/3904/#When:17:31:34Z 5ADF3084-55E4-4839-87B8-305AEB83C73C In a recent one-year period, 115,000 Canadians turned to self-employment for work. Lost jobs don't tell the whole story; there are many factors behind the shift 30 Mar 2010 15:16:38 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/start/business-planning/canadian-workers-enter-the-entrepreneurial-era/article1516374/ 05D82A38-EB0C-45A8-BC77-5921F7EF2474 Self-employment rose substantially during the recent economic downturn, while paid employment declined. Layoffs among paid workers might account for some of the increase in self-employment, but not all of it. 29 Mar 2010 15:48:44 GMT http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100329/dq100329a-eng.htm A44C0621-15AA-445C-944A-A286C006ACAE Fresh off the highest-rated season yet, CBC Television’s DRAGONS’ DEN is embarking on an epic audition tour. Due to overwhelming demand, producers are expanding the search to over 40 stops. From the Great White North to the edges of every coast, DRAGONS’ DEN is seeking Canadians with creative ideas and money-making savvy to make the case for cash. Successful candidates will make their way to the Den for a chance to appear in front of the Dragons in the new season. 26 Mar 2010 16:59:04 GMT http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/apply/ D5FBB68E-09A1-4F1A-85D7-3B09F6ECF241 A company can be profitable, but if it doesn't have a handle on its cash flow it may find itself out of business in a hurry. Louis Gagnon, an associate professor who teaches finance at Queen's University in Kingston, explains why cash is king and how it isn't enough to have a paper profit. 26 Mar 2010 15:07:31 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/business-categories/financial-management/cash-flow-management-simple-yet-crucial/article1512187/ 5D0D646D-4798-4B18-B53F-8E400EC16FA5 The government has changed the rules on a goods and services tax exemption in a way that the industry says applies GST for the first time to a number of financial services offered by, for example, mortgage brokers and insurance advisers. The industry says the costs will be passed on to consumers. Banks, insurers, mortgage and insurance brokers, and investment companies are urging the Finance Department to retract its amendments and hold broad consultations before going back to the drawing board. 26 Mar 2010 14:54:56 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ottawa-changes-gst-rules-setting-up-finance-battle/article1512595/ 8E2651E5-AF76-4F72-9B2A-C608B3CC97D6 1) People use the Internet like they used to use the phone book. I used to tell small business owners that it didn't matter if they had a website if most of their business was local. But now almost everyone uses the Internet to get information - even local information. So be there or beware; people who are searching will find other local businesses rather than yours. 25 Mar 2010 14:46:37 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2010/03/25/4-reasons-every-business-should-have-a-website.htm F48978DE-FEB7-4AE1-AC7A-68FE91F1A9B5 The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is pleased to announce the launch of Small Business Information Webinars as part of ongoing efforts to assist Canadians in understanding their tax responsibilities and how the CRA is available to help them. 24 Mar 2010 15:09:51 GMT http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/nwsrm/rlss/2010/m03/nr100316b-eng.html C1C95250-F8FF-4B38-AB86-677DDC42C364 Company known for old-fashioned print directories is rebranding its logo to emphasize its greater digital presence 24 Mar 2010 14:36:56 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/yellow-media-turns-the-page/article1509998/ 15DAFAF5-B06E-4B21-B0B7-21575D5D88BC If you're self-employed, are you taking advantage of all the business-related expenses you can claim to reduce your taxes? 22 Mar 2010 15:51:06 GMT http://www.financialpost.com/small-business/story.html?id=2710078 1FAC96E2-DEF8-4AE0-A80D-B1B600CF6245 Common courtesy isn't common among salesmen--use these tips to stand apart. 19 Mar 2010 18:09:42 GMT http://www.entrepreneur.com/sales/makethesale/article205634.html 7E01105D-2B95-4B75-B646-C232B34AF824 Ontario's new comprehensive tax package includes the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and a number of personal and business income tax cuts, credits and benefits that could affect you and your business. 18 Mar 2010 18:53:07 GMT http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/taxchange/index.html 605EBC34-838A-49CC-834E-12FB5092081C Former eBay Canada manager and active investor outlines his three-criteria process for funding 17 Mar 2010 14:19:01 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/angels-step-into-venture-capital-void/article1502991/ C2041E35-9A00-477A-910A-9BCB58673EFC Consumers are clamouring for access to retailers' products and information through the web and retailers that fall behind technologically run the risk of losing customers to more tech-savvy competition, according to a survey from IBM released Tuesday. 16 Mar 2010 14:58:35 GMT http://www.canada.com/technology/Shoppers+want+retailers+tech+savvy+Survey/2688286/story.html ACE4EC47-CAD6-4500-B7AD-B8CAE439B3D4 Here are some story highlights from the past week in Your Business. Click through to the main web page to read our columnists, view archives of discussions, and connect through social media. 15 Mar 2010 15:32:45 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/did-you-catch-all-of-this-weeks-stories/article1498788/ 2AC35A10-9989-4A54-A5ED-643327CC5816 Frequently Asked Questions - The Employment Insurance Measure for Self-Employed People 12 Mar 2010 15:04:57 GMT http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/self_employed_workers.shtml AF722D34-F30A-402F-83CA-212B32988531 Beginning in January 2011, self-employed Canadians will be able to access Employment Insurance (EI) special benefits. 12 Mar 2010 15:04:25 GMT http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/self_employed_workers.shtml 6BC8EF00-34D4-4F12-814D-45DF2E9C162F Ontario is raising the minimum wage to $10.25 on March 31, 2010. This is the seventh increase since 2004. 10 Mar 2010 16:04:43 GMT http://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2010/03/ontario-increases-minimum-wage-1.html 2739C85E-5B19-41D7-B3EC-C9089D54E19B Ontario wants to make it easier for businesses to apply for and obtain environmental approvals while increasing protection of the environment. Public comment is being invited on a proposed model until April 2, 2010. 10 Mar 2010 15:58:42 GMT http://news.ontario.ca/ene/en/2010/03/moving-forward-to-modernize-environmental-approvals.html 40590E31-D37E-4DE6-85FB-45999548E960 Canadian T1 income tax returns must be filed by April 30th, 2010 while Canadian T2 income tax returns must be filed no later than six months after the end of each tax year. Remember that you must file income tax return(s) each year even if your small business made no money. If you have questions about your Canadian income tax there are several different resources on this website that will help you find the answers. 4 Mar 2010 14:56:29 GMT http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2010/03/04/answers-to-canadian-income-tax-questions.htm 67787564-900A-4756-8DC9-8F6A18607395 In the past 15 years, there has been a 50 per cent increase in the number of self-employed women in Canada. By 2010, CIBC predicts that one million Canadian women will own a small business. This report takes a close look at the factors driving the growth in the number of women entrepreneurs. 3 Mar 2010 15:46:05 GMT http://www.cibc.com/ca/small-business/article-tools/women-entrepreneurs.html C39F5262-A234-400E-B1F4-A48AC5766279 Becoming the No. 1 online destination for entrepreneurs will take time but Sprouter is well on its way. The company, which is less than two years old, has attracted more than 10,000 members, who come from a wide range of industries and include owners of tech start-ups, hair salons and restaurants. 3 Mar 2010 15:44:53 GMT http://www.thestar.com/business/smallbusiness/article/773810--new-online-community-sprouts-up 2EF84CFF-D68B-425E-A2C8-079C3E8F63E1 The Certified General Accountants of Ontario (CGA Ontario) has released a comprehensive and easy-to-understand Harmonized Sales Tax booklet. This 23 page booklet offers an all-purpose HST overview, addressing common questions and concerns. An extensive Q&A document has also been developed, in addition to a fact sheet, identifying key benefits to the new HST system taking effect July 1, 2010. 2 Mar 2010 18:50:48 GMT http://www.cga-ontario.org/Publications/Information_Booklets.aspx E2063954-4945-47FF-A3C8-796A1868C917 Small business owners are focusing on growth in 2010, with one-in-three (34 per cent) planning to expand their business over the next six months and 26 per cent indicating that they are at the start-up stage, according to a new RBC Small Business Poll 1 Mar 2010 19:20:54 GMT http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2010/26/c4885.html C0A1E130-2143-4CE7-B975-D7C7D320D00C Standards Alert! sends an automatic e-mail update about changes to the standards that matter to you 24 Feb 2010 20:03:17 GMT http://www.scc.ca/en/programs-services/information-resources/standards-alert 8CE205BE-548A-4565-935A-83F45FD25A97 MBEC is now on Twitter. Twitter is a free service that allows you to "follow" people or subjects via short, frequent updates. MBEC now offers Twitter users the opportunity to stay informed about the latest small business news and information. 23 Feb 2010 15:26:28 GMT www.twitter.com/mississaugabec 53967F19-23E8-477E-A92C-479A535AFEC4 February 2010 Report 22 Feb 2010 18:39:20 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/file/COM/Economic_Indicators_February_2010.pdf 0E7FAC8E-A4F9-4213-B919-108C014D2FE3 This newsletter is produced on a quaterly basis and focuses on new and expanding business activity in Mississauga 22 Feb 2010 18:37:42 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/file/COM/Winter_2010_New_Business_Newsletter.pdf 365FC8C7-F644-451C-AAB6-887C965C72F3 The City of Mississauga is undertaking a new economic development strategy and is inviting residents, community members and business leaders to share their insights and ideas to help shape the City's business future. Fill out the survey & help us build a new Economic Development Strategy to position Mississauga's economy for growth and success. 19 Feb 2010 15:07:27 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/business/economicdevelopmentstrategy 0977E442-CB8E-4E74-8A20-E6AEC0773F43 The event runs from 1-5 p.m. at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at 175 Derry Rd. E. It will consist of two panel discussions featuring leaders from the President of Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the Canadian Venture Capital Association and Sheridan College, among others, discussing what can be done at the federal level short- and long-term to help small businesses create jobs. 17 Feb 2010 18:47:06 GMT http://www.mississauga.com/news/news/article/608593 C9CD5721-05A2-4062-8F0D-AF341A3DA467 Mississauga's Information, Communications & Technologies' industry is the 4th largest in Canada employing more than 36,000 people. It's a key sector for the City and an enabler for many companies. In this short video, senior business leaders explain why they located in Mississauga and the talent and business strengths Mississauga has to offer. Find out now! 17 Feb 2010 17:11:31 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/business 0E1A6224-9823-4E3F-9D3E-E28D1F4B75DD The small business community has recently experienced a whirlwind of change. Business owners are facing new challenges and must look for new ways of managing their operations in order to survive and grow in the new economy. Join your fellow small business peers for an enlightening presentation and discussion in this two part session. 10 Feb 2010 21:24:22 GMT http://www.mississauga.ca/file/COM/Small_Business_Roundatable_Flyer_2010_.pdf 3DBD8DBF-EB0C-43CB-9AE4-B27FCA56F25B