September 2006
Starting/Growing
a Business Info Session: Sept. 7, 2006
Do you have a great idea for a business, but don’t know how to get started?
Or, are you already in business and looking for ways to grow?
If you are confused about what to include in a business plan, don’t know where to start with market research, or unclear about how to apply for a business loan, this information session is for you!
Business Loans Info Session: Sept. 14, 2006
Learn how we can help finance your business! This
phone-in, province-wide information session will cover:
What your options are for financing your business, what your credit
rating means, why a Women's Enterprise Centre empowerment loan is
different from a bank, and how you can qualify.
Small Business
Audio Tip (mp3 file)
Learn the secret to writing a compelling news release!
click here
Women's Enterprise Centre assists women entrepreneurs who live
and do business anywhere in BC. We invite you to contact us for
assistance in financing your business up to $100,000.
Head Office
201 - 1726 Dolphin Avenue
Kelowna, BC V1Y 9R9
Vancouver Office
82-601 West Cordova St
Vancouver, BC V6B 1G1
Victoria Office
Suite G-8, Sussex Building
1001 Douglas Street
Victoria, BC, V8W 2C5
BC Toll Free:
1-800-643-7014
E-mail: info@womensenterprise.ca
Visit our website at
www.womensenterprise.ca
View this newsletter online:
click
here
Archives:
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
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An initiative of:
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"Six Keys To Common Sense
Marketing"
For the past four months, Women's Enterprise Centre has been featuring six key articles to common sense marketing.
This month we are addressing:
Marketing Key #5:
Be Customer Focused
Small businesses often develop out of something their owners are either good at or passionate about. The best small businesses usually stem from a little of both. In your case, it might have been a service that challenged and rewarded you creatively, or a product that you loved to make. Or, maybe it was an item that you looked for in the marketplace, something you really needed, and couldn't find. Whatever got the ball rolling, it is often the case that we start businesses based on our own values, priorities, motivations and tastes. And, that’s a good thing.
What is The New More Effective Way of Marketing?
Discover the BEST marketing strategy
that works for YOUR business!
When someone asks about your marketing strategy, do you describe
your direct mail campaign, newspaper ads
or the positive word-of-mouth you receive?
All these are a part of marketing, but they are not STRATEGY.
They are TACTICS. Tactics are only as effective as the strategy
behind them. If you're going to spend money and time on tactics,
you must first know WHY you are doing it and what really works
to reach your best potential customers most effectively. Focused
marketing gets at the ‘why’ of
marketing. This full day workshop will guide you through
the process of building a sound marketing strategy and will
help you:
- determine the best customers for your marketing efforts
- understand how to connect with those customers, both with a
message and the marketing tools they will find attractive
- match your marketing strategy to your own personal strengths
- and discover how to translate your learning directly into a marketing
plan and budget for your business for the next 12 months
- and an opportunity to network with other businesses
The workshop includes: a Focused Marketing Study Guide (retail value $59.95) and materials; working lunch along with morning and afternoon nutrition breaks; and opportunity to network with other businesses.
Register Now for these Focused
Marketing Workshops!
Focused Marketing Kamloops:
A full day workshop for small business
October 19, 2006 - 540 Seymour Street, Kamloops, B.C., click here
Focused Marketing Penticton:
A full day workshop for small business
November 2, 2006 - 553 Railway Street, Penticton, B.C., click
here
Focused Marketing Revelstoke:
A full day workshop for small business
November 9, 2006 - Okanagan College, Revelstoke Centre, B.C., click here
Courses from Women's Enterprise Centre are available on demand
throughout the province. Courses are often held in partnership
with community organizations such as Women in Business groups,
Chambers of Commerce and Community Futures. If you are a provider
of business services in BC, we invite you to partner with us
to provide custom training for women business owners.
Call 1.800.643.7014 or email info@womensenterprise.ca
Focused Marketing Guide for Small Business Owners
Focused Marketing:
 Targeted Effort, Tangible Results
Are you doing too much marketing for the return? Do you feel tired and frustrated at the amount of money and effort this marketing requires? What if you could find a way to reduce the scatter, efficiently manage your time and get better results?
That is what focused marketing means: concentrating on your best potential customers and delivering a clear, consistent and appealing message that improves your "batting average." With this guide, you'll develop a better understanding of your customers and how to effectively reach them.
Purchase this study guide, click here
"NEW" this
fall! Creating Your Business Guide
Women’s Enterprise Centre Launches New Tool to Help Start-ups.
Are you interested in starting a business but feeling overwhelmed about what you need to know and do to make it work? Women’s Enterprise Centre is launching a new tool in October that can help. Creating Your Business provides a comprehensive method for planning and implementing a successful business. “It’s not the usual cookie-cutter approach to business planning,” says Brenda Tournier, Skills Development Manager. Creating Your Business guides learners through the planning process, highlighting those aspects that many potential business owners tend to struggle with or overlook.”
Women's Enterprise Centre Client Success Story
Managing massive business growth using both people and technology.
Cybele Negris is co-founder, with three others, of Webnames.ca, a registrar for internet domain names and Canada’s leading website for .CA domains. With an impressive background in management and operations and experience running her own consulting business, Cybele helped transform the UBC spin-off company from a volunteer-run initiative to a profitable corporation employing 20 people and serving 40,000 customers.
Women's Enterprise Centre, June Client
Success Story, click
here
Women's Enterprise Centre, July Client Success Story, click here
Twelve Ways to Use Technology to be More Successful
Learn about FREE and low cost tools for growing your business!
There are numerous specialized services and resources geared towards entrepreneurs on the Internet. When used collectively, these tools help cut overhead and increase the efficiency of your business and personal activities. As your online ally, we would like to share some of our favorite free and low cost tools for growing your business, establishing a positive reputation and increasing productivity.
Nominations for Northern BC's Today's Woman Awards
Do you know someone who qualifies for one of these prestigious awards?
Commonwealth Financial is honored to salute this year's "Woman of the Year." Unparalleled economic growth, coupled with our region's natural beauty make Northern BC a pretty special place to live. However, our greatest resource is the talent, leadership and diversity exemplified by the Today's Women Awards Program. If you know of a deserving nominee, please complete this nomination form and then join Women's Enterprise Centre in celebrating the success of great women from across Northern British Columbia.
Developing a Home-Based Business Workshop
Home-based business
moms tell their stories! Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006
From brainstorming an idea to practical business implementation,
this workshop will provide you with the insight, tools and resources
you need to get you started on the road to running your own
business. It will cover basic small business start-up information
and is designed for mothers in the "thinking of starting
a business from home" stage. This workshop will be delivered
by Women’s Enterprise Centre along with dynamic
home-based-business moms who tell their stories. Register by
September 5 and your name will be entered in the early bird
draw from The Care Free Chef for a week of free family
meals! There are many door prizes to be won, including special
goodies for all moms!
News Release: PWGSC Issues Fraud Alert
If you own, manage or work in a business, this is a must read.
Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) issued a fraud alert to businesses across Canada advising that individuals are making fraudulent use of Business Access Canada (BAC) letterhead to obtain confidential financial information from businesses across Canada. BAC does not request any financial or banking information from Canadian businesses. Do not provide any financial information as requested. If you are asked to provide such information, please contact the RCMP immediately and notify PWGSC by calling 1 800 811-1148.
Funding Available for Women in Agriculture
Is YOUR business agriculture related? Looking for extra funding?
The Agri-Food Futures Fund was established in 2001 with $200,000 available to assist women in projects that would build and strengthen the BC agriculture industry. Examples of projects that have received funding include an 11-week community market in the Central Interior that brought women together to sell produce, food products and crafts. Another group organized a farm safety training workshop in co-operation with the Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association. There is a significant portion of the fund still available for projects that: 1) develop training opportunities empowering women in agriculture; 2) promote and expand the participation of women in agriculture; and/or 3) develop mentoring programs for women involved in agriculture. For more information, visit www.iafbc.ca/wia or contact Jessica Ng, Agri-Food Futures Fund Administrator at 250-356-1839 or Jessica.Ng@gov.bc.ca
Recommended Reading
Top 10 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make When Starting a Business
So you want to start a business. You have an idea. You print some brochures, some business cards, and take out an ad in the Yellow Pages. You pay $600 for a website and a domain name. You distribute your fliers then you wait. And wait. And wait... Nothing happens. But, that’s what everyone starting a business does, isn’t it?
Starting Your Business: A Guide to Resources
for BC Women
If you're thinking of starting a business, you're in good company. Today BC has almost 360, 000 small businesses, and women own or operate almost 36 per cent of them - the highest rate in Canada. But between your first flash of inspiration and starting an established business, there are many decision points. How do you know you've covered all the bases? And how do your find your way through all the information available to would-be entrepreneurs?
Home Based Business Manual (pdf file)
If you’ve ever dreamed of operating a business from home, conditions have never been better for success. The rapid growth of e-commerce means there is a host of expanding business opportunities open to you. Yet, the task of turning your dream into a reality remains as much of a challenge as ever. The fewer barriers to entry only stiffens the competition; so getting off to a solid start is crucial to success. This manual will show you how.
Courses, Events and Happenings
Women's Enterprise Centre
Business Loans Info Session: Learn About
Your Financing Options
September 7, 2006, anywhere in B.C. Toll Free phone-in click
here
Starting/Growing a Business Information Session
September 11, 2006, anywhere in B.C. Toll Free phone in click here
Today's Women Leadership Conference
September 29, 2006. For details and to register, click here
Going Solo: The Stay-at-Home Mother Workshop Series
September 30, 2006. Aston Pacific Inn Resort, South Surrey, click here
Small Business BC and eBC Seminars
Small Business BC Seminars - Vancouver
All Year. Waterfront Station 82 - 601 West Cordova, click
here
eBusiness BC Lunchbox Seminars - Vancouver
All Year Tuesdays. Waterfront Station 601 W. Cordova, click
here
Around the Province
Free Online Small Business Workshops
Produced by The Network of Canada Business Service Center click
here
Exporting to Mexico Seminar - Vancouver
September 15, 2006 - Canada Export Centre, 100 - 602 Hastings St., click here
2nd Annual The Women on Board Corporate Governance Symposium
Sept. 24 - 26, 2006 - The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, for details, click here
RBC Dominion Securities 4th Annual Cruise for Female Entrepreneurs
September
30 - October 3rd, 2006. For details, click here
20th Angel Forum - Vancouver, Canada
October 24, 2006. (Deadline for applications Sept 30 ) For details, click here
10th Annual SOHO-SME Conference and Expo
October 12, 2006. Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. Details, click here
Small Business Week - Vancouver
October 16 - 20, 2006. Details TBA.
Events Calendar Online
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