Emerging Trends in Small Business

Monday, November 16^th
10:00am to 11:00am

The COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted Canadian businesses. Small businesses especially have been forced to adapt and pivot in several different ways. From restaurants quickly moving to contactless pickup, to retailers making the jump to ecommerce, to the surge in video and teleconsultations, small business owners have found ways to make our “new normal” work for their customers. Many of these changes are likely to stay.

Join us for this informative and fast-paced webinar to learn more about a variety of technology and digital payment trends that your small business should consider as the new year approaches.

Marketing for Small Business

Monday, November 16^th
1:00pm to 4:00pm

You know what your small business has to offer, but how do you get that message across to potential customers? Marketing is the single most effective way to spread the word. Presented by Mary Charleson, Charleson Communications, Marketing for Small Business will help you focus on what your unique value proposition is and how to communicate your message effectively.

You’ll learn about the most effective marketing tools, the changing media landscape, and how to spend your marketing budget.

Start Smart 1: Basics of Starting a Business

Thursday, November 17^th
09:00am to 12:00pm

Starting a business? It pays to have a plan. Whether you have a winning business idea, or you’re just fascinated with the idea of launching a business, this seminar delivers a beginner-friendly course on how to start your own business. As the first half of the Start Smart two-seminar package, this seminar will help you discover what’s involved in starting your own business.

Join a representative of Small Business BC, and Kimberly Grant, Synergy Business Lawyers for this informative seminar that will save you time and money.

Start Smart 2: Key Considerations of Starting a Business

Tuesday, November 17^th
1:30pm to 4:00pm

The business start-up phase is an exciting time full of opportunity and big decisions. Don’t let your potential business be derailed by taking unnecessary risks. Start Smart 2: Key Considerations of Starting a Business highlights the ways you can protect your business, your employees and yourself from harm.

Build. Grow. Thrive

Wednesday, November 18th
09:00am to 3:00pm 

Join us remotely on Wednesday, November 18^th for a day of education that gathers our community to learn, network and share their lived experiences during the pandemic. With small businesses encompassing 98 per cent of all business in our province, we keenly understand the challenges entrepreneurs currently face. That’s why each session on the day delivers practical advice tailored toward navigating our “new normal.”

Basics of Workplace Health and Safety

Thursday, November 19^th
10:30am to 12:00pm

During the startup phase, entrepreneurs devote countless hours to honing their business plan, securing their financials and all the other tasks needed to get a business off the ground. Unfortunately, health and safety often goes neglected, with many business owners commencing operation without a health and safety plan.

Join Sat Combow, WorkSafeBC, and discover your requirements with regards to workplace health and safety; from an employer’s rights and responsibilities, to a worker’s right to refuse unsafe work.

Social Media for Small Business

Thursday, November 19^th
1:00pm to 4:00pm

While it’s amazing for catching up with old friends, social media can also be a huge driver of traffic and attention to your small business. And, just because you know what social media is, does not mean you necessarily understand how to use social media to grow and develop your business.

This workshop focuses on understanding social media for small business, what it is and how it’s connecting people.

Negotiating Contracts: Get the Right Deal

Friday, November 20^th
10:30am to 12:00pm

Contracts form the backbone of the business world. And, throughout your small business life, you’ll be faced with numerous client and supplier contracts. Understanding the common legal terms you’ll face, as well as the key strategies to employ, will help you in negotiating contracts for your small business.

Join Brian Rudy, Synergy Business Lawyers and learn strategic contract negotiation methods and the key terms in contract law to understand.

Trademarks, Copyright, Patents and More

Friday, November 20^th
1:00pm to 4:00pm

Do you know if the work you create belongs to you? Or how to prevent others from copying your ideas? Attend our Trademarks, Copyright, Patents and More seminar and hear from an intellectual property lawyer on the various forms of intellectual property protection and how they can safeguard your business.

How to Save Money on Business Energy Costs

Monday, November 23rd
10:00am to 11:00am

Are you looking for ways to cut spending while making your business more efficient? A cost most businesses can save on is their energy bills, helping their bottom line as well as the environment. Delivered in partnership with FortisBC, this informative and practical webinar shares no cost and low cost methods for reducing your small business energy use that you can begin putting into practice today!

How Much is Your Business Worth?

Tuesday, November 24^th
10:00am to 11:30am

As small business owners approach retirement, or adjust to the realities of COVID-19, many are contemplating selling their businesses. As Warren Buffet once said, “Price is what you pay: Value is what you get.” In this seminar you’ll learn how businesses are valued, how buyers think, and practical tips for maximizing value.

Join Liisa Atva, CPA and Chartered Business Valuator, and learn the basic principles of business valuation, which methods to use and how to apply them. Knowing how much a business is worth is key to successfully selling a business or buying one. Even if you’re not yet ready to sell it’s never to early to plan for it as strategies to increase the value of your business can take time to put in place.

Debt Restructuring in Difficult Times

Tuesday, November 24^th
1:00pm to 2:30pm

Against a backdrop of serious financial challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses are facing a difficult decision on their financial futures. If a permanent closure is something that has crossed your mind, have you considered debt restructuring options to help weather the storm?

Market Research 1: Find Business Data and Insights

Wednesday, November 25^th
1:00pm to 4:00pm

As an entrepreneur, it’s vital to conduct market research before making important decisions. Analyzing available data allows you to understand your target market, conduct a competitor analysis, view market trends and enhance your business operations. Join Small Business BC’s Market Research Analyst, Mark Eversfield, as he explains how secondary market research can help you make an informed decision about the viability of your business idea by tapping into already existing market data.

Violence Prevention in the Workplace

Thursday, November 26^th
10:30am to 12:00pm

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven change and fueled stress in almost every corner of society. More than ever, employers need to be vigilant against violence in the workplace, while ensuring they provide a work site that’s safe for everyone. This begins with an assessment of the risk of violence, before determining the control measures that are in place to protect the health and safety of workers.

Join Jacqueline Holmes, WorkSafeBC, and receive an overview of legislation in BC designed to prevent workplace violence; interactive scenarios for various industries, and resources to help you develop and implement your own violence prevention program at work.

Marketing and Branding for Indigenous Businesses

Thursday, November 26^th
1:00pm to 3:00pm

Storytelling has always held a special place in Indigenous culture. At its most basic level, branding is storytelling. It allows a business owner to communicate exactly what their business is, and why a customer should be interested in it. Join us for this informative webinar and learn the foundations of branding and marketing, with a focus on Indigenous businesses.

From visuals and colours, to logos and design tools, attendees will discover what it takes to create an effective brand that resonates with potential customers, as well as considerations when incorporating Indigenous artwork.

Early Stage Financing for Small Business

Friday, November 27^th
1:00pm to 2:30pm

Entrepreneurs and their ideas come in all shapes and sizes but the one common issue they all must address is early stage financing. It’s estimated that roughly 82% of new businesses fail due to cashflow problems.

So, how do you secure that all-important early stage financing? In this seminar, representatives from Vancity Microfinance and Futurpreneur Canada will walk you through the steps needed to acquire start-up funds.

Cybersecurity Advice to Protect Your Business

Monday, November 30th
1:00pm to 2:00pm

Digital Security is a key part of protecting your business in today’s increasingly connected world. As small businesses like yours move operations, sales, communications and data online — particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic — if you are not ensuring appropriate protections, the risk of serious damage to your reputation and livelihood continues to grow.

Join Sukhmani Dev, Head of Digital Payments & Cybersecurity Solutions for Mastercard Canada, and learn practical and actionable steps to mitigate cybersecurity risks and defend your business.

Talk to a Business Broker

Thursday, November 5^th
&
Friday, November 13^th
10:00am to 2:00pm

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a business, a business broker should be your go-to for understanding the process and achieving maximum value. If you have an existing business you’re looking to sell or are considering buying a small business, book a one-on-one consultation with our business broker, Jeffrey Ng of Pacific M&A and Business Brokers.

Talk to a Lawyer

Tuesday, November 24^th
10:00am to 4:00pm

Even if your business is small, there are countless legal hurdles you can face in the first few years. Why tackle them alone? Our Talk to a Lawyer service offers general legal advice about business structures, joint ventures, contracts or any other legal issues you may be facing.

Book a one-on-one consultation with a lawyer from Benchmark Law Corporation and solve the legal questions specific to your individual business’ needs.

Talk to a Technology Operations Expert

Thursday, November 12^th
1:00pm to 4:15pm
&
Tuesday, November 24^th
09:00am to 3:45pm

Running a business means optimizing your technology environment to support your organization, stakeholders and clients. Whether it’s your internal systems, website, or data environment, your business needs an integrated and useful technology and systems foundation. Come learn about how to make your technology systems useful and relevant to your business.

Our Technology Operations Expert, Tim Bramwell helps businesses to use technology better, and developers build better product strategies.

Talk to a Website Expert

Friday, November 13^th
12:30pm to 2:30pm

Having a website for your business isn’t just a good idea, it’s become an essential marketing tool. Whether you’re a traditional retailer, providing a service, or are looking to operate exclusively online, how you approach your business website takes careful planning and consideration. Are you ready to take your online presence to the next level? Let our website expert, Simon Rai, help you optimize your site for conversion and generate the revenue you need for your small business in a one-on-one consultation.

Talk to a Worker’s Compensation Expert

Thursday, November 5^th
&
Tuesday, November 17^th
1:00pm to 4:00pm

In partnership with WorkSafeBC, Small Business BC is proud to offer FREE one-on-one advisory sessions with a representative of the Employers’ Advisers Office to help businesses reopen their doors in a safe and successful manner.

As British Columbia proceeds carefully with our provincial Restart Plan, more and more businesses are creating their reopening plans. Throughout this process, the health and safety of staff and customers must remain the top priority.

The Employers’ Advisers Office advises on these subjects and more, helping employers expand their knowledge of current legislation, regulations, policies and best practices in workplace safety. They are standing by to assist with questions on reopening in relation to the WorkSafeBC guidelines.

Talk to an Accountant

Tuesday, November 3^rd
09:00am to 4:00pm

Lost in a sea of deductions, taxable income and depreciation? Your small business taxes don’t need to be daunting! In fact, our experts from Loren Nancke Chartered Professional Accountants can help demystify the numbers and make sure you’re enjoying the maximum deductibles for your small business.

Whether you need help figuring out how to properly calculate and file your business taxes, or what business structure is most beneficial, reserve your 30-minute one-on-one consultation and make your financials work for you.

Talk to an HR Expert

Wednesday, November 25^th
10:00am to 2:00pm

When you’re an entrepreneur, balancing the demands of business ownership and managing your employees can be challenging. Not only do you need to know how to hire and fire, but you also need to bring together the best range of skill sets to make your business a success.

Learn how to select and coach employees to closely fit your company’s culture and performance requirements. HR management is a process that can be effectively and productively handled by talking to an HR expert.