Small Business Month

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 - T H U R S D A Y , O C T O B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 6 4 A CWB Group Company 1.15% 1,2 0.45% 2 Business Savings Account Business Savings Account 1 Interest is paid as follows: 1.10% on deposit balance to $250,000; 1.15% on deposit balance between $250,000 and $15,000,000; and 0.25% on deposit balance exceeding $15,000,000. 2 Rate is subject to change without notice. Interest is calculated on the daily closing balance and paid monthly. Bundle it with an operating account and get even more benefit. Find your nearest branch at cwbank.com/bsa and start earning today. There when you need it, growing when you don't. Big Market. Huge Advantage. Small Business. Losing employees to larger companies? Group insurance too expensive? Take advantage of your Chamber membership to level the playing field. Over 900 Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade across Canada partner with the Chambers Plan to ensure its small business members have access to affordable, custom benefits. Choose your coverage… control your costs. Find out why over 30,000 companies have made it Canada's #1 Group Benefits Plan for small business. Call 1.877.277.0677 or visit our website at MANITOBA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE Roblin & District Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Life & Arts Centre, Roblin Tues., Oct. 25, 12 noon-1:30 p.m. The theme for this members' luncheon is 'Let's build a positive community.' The featured speaker will be Darci Lang. For more information about the chamber or to order tickets for the luncheon phone 204-937-3194 or email rdcoc@mts.net. 33rd Annual MBiz Award Gala Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, 1808 Wellington Ave. Fri., Oct. 28, 5:30-9:30 p.m. One of the premier events on the Manitoba business calendar, the awards recognize and celebrate outstanding business and individual achievements by the local business community each year and attract a veritable who's who of community and business leaders. Individual tickets are $185 each while tables of eight ($1,480) and 10 ($1,850) are also available. For more information or to order tickets, phone 204-948-0100. WORLD TRADE CENTRE WINNIPEG Self-Employment Resources for People With Disabilities or Health Conditions Old City Hall in St. Boniface, 219 Provencher Blvd. Tues., Oct. 25, 10 a.m.- 12 noon Interested in starting your own business? WTC Winnipeg representatives can help. A panel of experts will guide you through the resources and programs available to assist you in starting your own business in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. This free event will feature representatives from Employment and Income Assistance, Entrepreneurship Manitoba and Futurpreneur Canada. To register online visit www.wtcwinnipeg.com/ event. For more information, call 204-984-2271. Going International With Your Service: Opportunities and Strategies Old City Hall in St. Boniface, 219 Provencher Blvd. Wed., Oct. 26, 9:30-11:30 a.m. This workshop will present valuable insight on identifying the unique challenges facing firms and individuals who deliver services in the financial, IT, travel and tourism, educational and business consulting sectors. It will also provide participants with information on how to explore sources of international opportunities. The featured speaker will be Mohammed Bhabha who teaches International Marketing and Entrepreneurship at the Asper School of Business and has more than 25 years of international business experience. Online registration is available by visiting www.wtcwinnipeg.com. For more information, call 204-984-2272. Taxation of a Business Old City Hall in St. Boniface, 219 Provencher Blvd. Thurs., Oct. 27, 9:30-11:30 a.m. This presentation will discuss the pros and cons of sole proprietorships, corporations, and partnerships and will also highlight the income tax consequences of the various structures. Tyler Steward of Deloitte will be the featured presenter who will share his extensive knowledge of personal and corporate tax. Online registration is available by visiting www.wtcwinnipeg.com. For more information, call 204-984-2272. U.S. Border Mission St. Norbert Farmers Market, 3514 Pembina Hwy., or Morris Multiplex, 380 Stampede Grounds Thurs., Nov. 3, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Cost is $60 Discover why crossing the line is good for business. This practical, hands-on event is for anyone interested in starting a business venture or looking to expand their existing company. This full day event will cover all aspects of importing and exporting. Bus transportation is provided with pick-ups at the St. Norbert Farmers Market and the Morris Multiplex. Lunch is included. Online registration is available by visiting www.wtcwinnipeg.com. For more information, call 204-984-2272. Marketing With Diverse Budgets Old City Hall in St. Boniface, 219 Provencher Blvd. Wed., Nov. 9, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. This seminar will include information and tips on: the importance of aligning marketing plans to growth objectives; knowing your potential customers to ensure you are maximizing your marketing efforts in the right areas; and marketing tactics that you can implement regardless of your budget. The presenter will be marketing consultant Shannon Husain, who has more than 16 years of marketing and communications expertise. Online registration is available by visiting www.wtcwinnipeg.com. For more information, call 204-984-2272. Business: Overcoming Growth Challenges Old City Hall in St. Boniface, 219 Provencher Blvd. Thurs., Nov. 10, 9:30-11:30 a.m. The seminar is focused on identifying business growth challenges facing small businesses and exploring possible mitigating actions. The information is based on a survey of business growth challenges for small businesses in Winnipeg. Attendees will learn about the top people-related challenges to growing a small business, how to identify those challenges and possible solutions they can use. Dr. Lana Adeleye-Olusae of Surefooting Consulting will be the featured presenter. Online registration is available by visiting www.wtcwinnipeg.com. For more information, call 204-984-2272. ENTREPRENEURSHIP MANITOBA Business Planning Workshop Millennium Library, 251 Donald St. Tues., Oct. 25-Thurs., Oct. 27 (9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) Tues., Nov. 15-Thurs., Nov. 17 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) Tues., Dec. 6 – Thurs., Dec. 8 Cost is $75 This three-day business planning workshop gives you the tools to prepare your business plan and offers valuable information to help you start and grow your business. You will learn how to start and operate a small business in Manitoba including how to register or incorporate your business and the legal requirements of a small business for licenses, permits and other regulations. Visit www.embevents.ca/events/BP-W201617 for more information or to register. Business Start-Up Information Session 250-240 Graham Ave. Fridays, 9-10 a.m. Interested in starting a business? Do you have questions on how to go about doing that? Entrepreneurship Manitoba offers this free weekly drop-in session. Learn about everything from licenses and business permits to PST and GST. No advance registration is required. For more information, call Entrepreneur Manitoba at 204-945- 8200 or 1-855-836-7250 or email embinfo@gov.mb.ca. Y ou'd like to buy a new truck, redesign your website or hire an external consultant for your business. If you're thinking about using your everyday cash instead of seeking a loan, think again. Using everyday cash for projects that aren't every day is a common mistake entrepreneurs make. This can put a lot of stress on your cash flow, especially if your business hits an unexpected bump. A better strategy is to use a small business loan for your growth projects. HERE ARE EIGHT PROJEC TS YOU CAN FINANCE USING A BUSINESS LOAN. 1. Upgrade your website Your website is your business's storefront on the Internet. Use a small loan to optimize its design and usability to attract more visitors and convert them into customers. 2. Attend trade shows Thinking about attending that international trade show that's become the place to be in your industry? You can use financing to make it part of your annual marketing plan. Attending trade shows can help you generate sales leads, learn about the latest market trends and build awareness for your company. 3. Upgrade your computers or purchase software Investing in technology can boost a business's sales, productivity and profits. Making the right investment ensures you make the most of your opportunities and run a more competitive company. 4. Initiate a marketing campaign The business environment is more competitive than ever. That's why it's a good idea to launch a marketing campaign that will let customers know how your unique product or service can address their needs. 5. Develop a prototype You have an exciting idea for a new product and your research indicates prospective customers love it. Now it's time to build a prototype. But how to pay for it? You could get a small business loan. 6. Hire a sales representative Your company is taking off but you seem to be caught in daily firefighting and your sales are suffering. Hiring a sales pro can help your business reach its sales targets on a regular basis. 7. Buy a new piece of equipment Equipment purchases, whether it's a piece of machinery or a second delivery truck, can make your company more productive and profitable. 8. Hire a consultant Research shows that the most successful companies get impartial, professional advice. An external adviser can help you get a fresh perspective on your company and competition and – ultimately – make better business decisions. Whatever your business project, plan your financing need, shop around and compare available loan terms. When considering a small business loan, remember to look beyond just the interest rate. Flexible terms can be just as important. ❚ SMALL LOAN CAN PAY OFF BIGTIME SAVE THE DATE EVENTS & WORKSHOPS

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