Small Business Week presents an opportunity to celebrate Canadian entrepreneurs and the impact they have on our economy and local communities. As celebrations take place across the country, Small Business BC, in partnership with the Province of British Columbia, is marking the occasion by offering FREE access to over 10 seminars, webinars and Talk to an Expert sessions from October 15-19, 2018.
We want you to make the most of this offering, so we’ve packed our schedule with a great lineup to choose from. Please note, places are limited so book today to avoid disappointment.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of British Columbia through the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology.
Demand is expected to be extremely high and places are limited, so book today to avoid disappointment. In order for as many clients as possible to be able to take advantage of the free offerings during Small Business Week, we ask you to limit your Talk to An Expert Series bookings to 3 per client. If you do happen to miss out on the session of your choice, we will be opening a waitlist.
Free Seminars During Small Business Week 2018
My First Year in Business: A Financial Overview
Monday, October 15th
9:00AM to 12:00PM
Establishing your financial records and bookkeeping system should be one of the first orders of business when starting your company. You will need to establish a separate business bank account, put together a filing system, and decide how to invoice your clients. Book this seminar today to understand how to establish the right business strategy for your company.
How to Build a Business Around a Solution
Monday, October 15th
1:00PM to 3:30PM
A central question all entrepreneurs must ask themselves is: What problem does my product or service solve? A business can flourish when a gap in the market is satisfied by its product or service. But, how do you build a customer-centric business that solves a real problem? This interactive seminar will help you make your business into one that solves real customer problems. You will craft a value proposition and formulate a foundation for building your unique business.
Business Finance Package
Tuesday, October 16th
9:00AM to 4:00PM
Financial statements can often seem like another language but understanding them is necessary to the success of your business. By using your statements to analyze your business, it will help you understand the effectiveness of business strategies and root causes of business problems. This package will first help you understand how to maintain financial records and interpret those statements. You will then be introduced to ratio analysis, a powerful tool which will help you identify the financial pros and cons of your business operation. This package is great for existing businesses and for business start-ups planning to use industry standards for their financial plan.
These seminars can also be booked separately:
- Business Finance 1 – Understanding Financial Statements 2018-10-16
- Business Finance 2 – Financial Analysis 2018-10-16
Start Smart Series
Wednesday, October 17th
9:00AM to 4:00PM
The Start Smart Series provides a step-by-step guide to starting your business right. This series includes two seminars where five industry experts provide their knowledge and tips to help you start your business smart. You will learn about the resources available to get you started, how to understand the business registration process, and know what business structure is right for your business.
Business Mapping: Developing a Smart Business Model
Friday, October 19th
9:00AM to 11:00AM
The truth is, not every entrepreneur needs a full business plan. Business mapping is an alternative to the more in-depth business planning process, but still leaves you with a strategic plan to help direct your business. Designing a business map can sometimes be enough for you to decide if your business venture is worth pursuing. Attend this introductory seminar which focuses strategies to plan, key areas of a successful businesses and financing options.
Supplying Professional Services to the Government of Canada
Friday, October 19th
10:30AM to 12:00PM
Are you interested in providing professional services to the Government of Canada? This seminar will help you understand more about how the Government of Canada purchases professional services and the use of standing offers and supply arrangements. We will cover how to register your business in the Centralized Professional Services System (CPSS) as well as how to find and bid on professional services opportunities.
Reach More Customers with Google Adwords
Friday, October 19
1:00PM to 4:00PM
Do you have a website but are finding it hard to get noticed? Are you considering online advertising but not sure where to start or what will generate conversions? Google Adwords is a measurable, targeted and scalable advertising system that, if used correctly, can quickly attract potential customers to your website.
Free Talk to an Expert Sessions
Talk to a Business Branding Expert
Friday, October 19th
9:00AM to 1:00PM
To succeed, your brand must be an integral part of your business. It should be built into your business plan as much as any financial or operational procedure. Your brand is essential for creating an emotional connection with your customers; it should provide trust, help differentiate you from your competitors, and in turn increase sales. If you have an existing brand that you would like reviewed or are considering rebranding your small business, book a one-on-one consultation with brand strategist Karley Cunningham.
Talk to a Business Broker
Thursday, October 18th
10:00AM to 12:30PM
Do you understand the process of selling a business and know how to manage your exit strategy? Are you trying to assess opportunities in the market but finding it hard to assess their worth? Whether you are looking to buy or sell a business, a Business Broker is your buffer to help you understand the buying process and achieve the maximum value for your business. If you have an existing business that you’re looking to sell or are considering buying a small business, book a one-on-one consultation with Business Broker, Arthur Klein of Pacific M&A and Business Brokers. Whether you have specific questions relating to an active sale or would just like some tips and ideas of how to start preparing your business to sell, let our expert help you better understand the brokerage process.
Talk to a HR Expert
Wednesday, October 17th
11:00AM to 2:00PM
When you’re an entrepreneur, balancing the demands of business ownership and managing your workforce 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. Luckily, you don’t need to figure it out on your own—you can bring all your pressing HR-related questions to a qualified HR professional.
Talk to an Insurance Expert
Wednesday, October 17th
10:00AM to 1:00PM
Insurance is often overlooked by small business owners. There are different risks your business may be exposed to, such as slips and falls, fire and water damage, professional error, theft, bodily injury, cyber crimes etc. Did you know that your product or service can be insured? Come talk to our insurance expert, Mike Gaba, about reducing your business risks, different ways to protect your business, and choosing the right policy and coverage for your business.
Talk to an Operations and Systems Expert
Tuesday, October 16th
1:00PM to 4:15PM
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 Operations & Systems Expert, Tim Bramwell, has over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, with specific expertise in website, enterprise software and online applications design. His company, Creative Revenue, helps businesses to use technology better, and developers build better product strategies.
Register Today
All our education is available in-person at Small Business BC at Waterfront Station (601 Cordova Street) in Vancouver, or remotely via webinar. Demand during Small Business Week is expected to be high, so reserve your place today!
