Small Business Month

2019

Small Business news in Canada

Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1177406

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 1 of 9

S M A L L B U S I N E S S M O N T H - S U P P L E M E N T T O T H E W I N N I P E G F R E E P R E S S - S A T U R D A Y , O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 9 2 By Jennifer McFee for the Free Press T he Better Business Bureau encourages small business owners to heed a call to action and become accredited with the non-profit organization. For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has operated on the objective to build trust in the community by helping businesses and consumers through its many services. Each month, between 35,000 and 42,000 consumers research businesses on the local BBB website. At the same time, they also access advertising reviews, use the Scam Tracker tool and seek information about the BBB's dispute resolution services as a third- party conciliation organization. For Len Andrusiak, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Manitoba and North West Ontario, ample reasons exist for small businesses to become accredited through the organization. "When businesses apply for accreditation, the BBB undertakes an investigation to ensure that these companies are following the Code of Business Practices," he said. "If accredited businesses don't adhere to this code, then their accreditation could be revoked." As a result, consumers know they can trust BBB-accredited businesses. Many small business owners discover that accreditation can lead to new connections and opportunities to grow both their customer base and professional network. Accredited businesses have the chance to participate in workshops, webinars and training sessions, including the LIFT program offered through the local BBB's charitable organization. This business ethics initiative was originally designed to lift students to a higher level. Expanding its reach, the BBB recently launched a condensed three-hour workshop for business employees as well as post-secondary students, newcomers and social agencies. Andrusiak views LIFT as a preventative strategy that helps participants avoid making detrimental decisions. "Everything the BBB does is related to preventative service. We try to help prevent consumers and businesses from going to litigation. We try to prevent people being affected by scams. We help prevent individuals from being misled by advertising," he said. "Because we're so community-driven, we're different than for-profit organizations that try to promote business in the community. All the money that's spent here on our organization as a non-profit is reinvested in our community." Since fewer than three per cent of businesses have achieved the BBB Mark of Accreditation, companies with this designation boast a competitive edge as an industry leader, making it easier to attract loyal customers and talented staff. They can also analyze their competitors to identify shortcomings through customer complaints. "Many of the businesses that are accredited are small- to medium- sized companies. Because of the great work that we do through our education in the community, it's also fulfilling part of their corporate social responsibility to help their community to be better," Andrusiak said. "The other good thing to remember is that the Better Business Bureau is run, operated and strategically managed by businesses in our community. The board of directors is made up of accredited businesses who really set the standard for how we move forward with our mandate to promote marketplace trust and building better communities." At the end of the day, the most important takeaway is that the BBB helps consumers, who are the customers of small businesses. "We want to make sure that consumers have good experiences. We want to make sure that consumers trust businesses that they work with. We want to make sure they're happy with the relationships, services and products that they buy from businesses that are reputable," Andrusiak said. "BBB Accreditation is a way that legitimate businesses can differentiate themselves from disreputable businesses that may be fly-by-nights in the community taking advantage of consumers. Consumers know that part of their due diligence research at bbb. org helps them gain a level of confidence in businesses that are accredited by the Better Business Bureau." ❚ TRUST What makes people small businesses? BBB.org/SMALLBUSINESS BOARD OF DIREC TORS for the Better Business Bureau serving Manitoba and NW Ontario • Roger Miranda, Evident IT - Chair • Cory Huclack, Huclack Enterprises - Vice Chair • Peter J. Manastyrsky, A Step Beyond - Treasurer • Len Andrusiak, Better Business Bureau - Secretary • Tom Russell, Four Points Financial - Past Chair • Ron Anderson, Best Windows and Doors • Tony LeBlanc, Winnipeg Free Press • Dan Precourt, Colour Scheme Professionals • Danielle Tkachyk, PMC Desaulniers Insurance Brokers BBB BOOSTS BUSINESSES "We want to make sure that consumers have good experiences. We want to make sure that consumers trust businesses that they work with. We want to make sure they're happy with the relationships, services and products that they buy from businesses that are reputable." - Len Andrusiak, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Manitoba and North West Ontario Accredited businesses celebrated 90 years at the 2019 AGM. Photo courtesy of BBB

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Small Business Month - 2019