Feature Articles

Sales Savvy Series for Women Entrepreneurs

#2 - Your Computer – Your Marketing Assistant

Some of your best marketing tools are at your fingertips. Thanks to technology, the way products and services are marketed, sold and delivered has changed forever. It’s wise to consider how much your computer could be doing to expand your marketing reach and boost your sales, especially in an economic downturn. Take a look at your marketing strategy to determine which of the tools discussed in this article could be used in your business.

What is Your Competitive Advantage?

In a declining market it is advisable to monitor your market share, not just your sales volume, and ponder this question: why would anyone do business with your company versus your competition?

While all competitors may lose some sales volume as markets shrink, those who can maintain or even increase market share obviously give their customers a reason to choose their company over the competitors and as a result will emerge in a stronger position. To generate new, or even maintain business, marketers must constantly re-invent themselves to connect with people to ‘create’ customers and realize critical business momentum. One example, rather than selling a product or service is to sell a solution to a problem or goal. This requires marketing and sales management to truly understand what motivates their desired demographic; in other words, their desires, behaviours and how best to meaningfully reach them.

In The News

Feature entrepreneur of the month

Madeleine Shaw – Lunapads International Products Ltd.

When Madeleine Shaw first fell in love with the idea of re-useable alternatives to disposable pads and tampons 15 years ago she immediately understood the positive impact the products could have on women’s lives and the environment.

Today the glowing praise her customers so enthusiastically share about making the switch to Lunapads (washable, reusable cotton menstrual pads), Lunapanties (padded underwear) and the DivaCup (a reusable, internally-worn silicone cup) is testament to her original vision of “creating a more positive and informed relationship between women, their bodies and the Earth."

Photo credit Colektiv Images
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Call to Women Entrepreneurs

Dr. Andrea E. Smith-Hunter, an Associate Professor at Siena College in Loudonville, New York, is currently conducting a global study on women entrepreneurs. The results from the study will be used to write her third book entitled, Women Entrepreneurs in the Global Marketplace, slated for publication in 2010. To participate in the study, please visit the online survey, click here.

BC's Women's Business Networks are Active

As part of the research for the New Pioneers: Stories of 100 BC Women Entrepreneurs book, Women’s Business Networks around the province told us how active they are in supporting and mentoring their members. Activities ranging from education programs to tradeshows and social events to advocacy and networking to mentoring are occurring in WBNs all over the province.

Of the 22 non-profit organizations surveyed, almost 60% are engaged in both educational and social activities to help their members grow their businesses while 42% are offering mentoring opportunities and 77% offer networking activities.

Speakers and tradeshows are the favourite activities for almost half of the organizations. For many women, giving back to their community is a high priority. It’s not surprising then that just over half of the organizations do this through community services like scholarships, sponsoring a child or family overseas or volunteering.

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2009 Junior Achievement Scholarship application deadline

Women's Enterprise Centre is pleased to sponsor the Kathy Barnett Memorial Scholarship, in partnership with Junior Achievement of British Columbia (JABC). The scholarship was created to encourage entrepreneurship as a valuable career option for young women, and to enhance opportunities for young women to pursue a business education.

The scholarship recognizes an outstanding high school woman who aspires to become an entrepreneur, and provides $2000 towards post-secondary education in business.

Current female students and recent graduates of JABC’s senior high school business education programs are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

For more information about this scholarship and to download an application, click here.

New Pioneers Products in JUNO Awards Gift Bags!

Congratulations to Vancouver Island’s Artisan Edibles Maureen Drew and Judy McArthur, whose Tuscan inspired gourmet antipasto was included in the celebrity gift bags given to presenters and performers as part of the JUNO Awards on March 29, 2009 in Vancouver. This is just one more national recognition for the pair who were also included in Women’s Enterprise Centre’s latest publication, New Pioneers: Stories of 100 BC Women Entrepreneurs. Check out Artisan Edibles other treats at www.artisanedibles.com

Congratulations Women Business Plan Contest Winners

Congratulations to the following women business owners for their recognition at the award ceremony for the 6th Annual Small Business BC  Business Plan Contest.

First place winner in the CGA-BC Business Start-up category was Jill Kenney of GearDrop.ca in Burnaby.

In the TELUS Business Growth category, first place went to Carlie Smith of Portobello West Market in Vancouver (portobellowest.com) and third place went to Dawn McRea of Custom Gourmet (customgourmetchef.com) in Courtenay, BC. Congratulations also to Genevieve Noel of MUBI Regenerative Consulting Inc, (mubi.ca) for the Community Leadership Award.

For more details on all the winners, click here.

Events and Happenings

Video Conference Facilities Available

Women's Enterprise Centre is proud to to be part of a new province-wide video conference network. With over 40 video conferencing sites in BC, we can help you access business training or meeting facilities to connect with people all around the world. Offered in partnership with Community Futures, Front Counter BC and Small Business BC. Click here for more information.

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Women's Enterprise Centre Sponsored & Hosted Events


Six Keys to Common Sense Marketing
Chances Banquet Facility - 240 West 1st Avenue, Prince Rupert
Wed, April 22, 2009, 12 noon - 4pm
Download PDF registration for more information.

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Small Business BC and eBC Seminars

Small Business BC Seminars - Vancouver
All Year - at Waterfront Station, 82-601 West Cordova
Click here for more information.

Business EBC Seminars - Vancouver
All Year - Tuesdays at Waterfront Station, 82-601 West Cordova
Click here for more information.

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