Mark your calendars! We have officially opened registration for one of our biggest events of the year, INSPIRE. This evening of education offers the opportunity to learn, engage, network and grow your small business.
Hear a keynote speech from Ratana Stephens, Co-Founder and COO of Nature’s Path Foods, as well as a panel of local business leaders who have built extremely successful enterprises from the ground up while operating with a conscious purpose. With networking opportunities and a tradeshow, there’s something for everyone. Take advantage of our Early Bird pricing and book today! There are only limited places available.
On August 9th, join us at Waterfront Station for our monthly meetup event. Growing Global – Exporting Success will equip you with practical insights on dealing with foreign markets from professionals and other entrepreneurs who have been through the process. Speakers include Christian Hansen, Regional Director Trade Commissioner Service – Global Affairs Canada, and Sally Guo, Account Manager Export Development Canada (EDC).
August also brings a full calendar of education at Small Business BC. Whether it’s our Talk to an Expert advisory sessions or our Seminars, there’s something for every stage of business. Here are just some of our highlights this month.
Starting Right
How to Build a Business Around a Solution
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
$49
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.
Start Smart Series
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
9:00AM to 4:00PM
$49
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.
Pricing and Costing Your Product
Monday, August 13, 2018
9:00AM to 12:00PM
$69
Setting prices is both an art and a science. The science is determining your costs, and the art is understanding the underlying role price makes on customer buying behavior. This seminar has both a marketing and a financial focus as we get to the heart of how pricing plays an important part in your overall business success. This session will make you question your assumptions about pricing, costing and how they fit into your business strategies.
Retail Success: How to Get Your Product into Stores
Thursday, August 9, 2018
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
$59
Congratulations! You’ve developed your product, it’s ready for consumers, and now it’s time to get it into stores. But where do you start? With over 40 years retail and supply chain experience, let Gerry Spitzner help you plan your sales strategy with potential retailers.
Marketing 101
Reach More Customers with Google AdWords
Friday, August 17, 2018
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
$49
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.
Instagram Marketing for Busy Entrepreneurs
Monday, August 20, 2018
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
$49
Want to learn how to attract customers and make sales through Instagram without spending money on ads? With over 500 million active users, Instagram offers a powerful tool for small businesses. If you’re a business-to-consumer enterprise and your ideal customer is under the age of 45, Instagram could provide an effective channel to reach your target market. Join us to learn simple, effective strategies and tactics you can apply without wasting time or money.
Optimize Your Landing Pages and Convert More Customers
Monday, August 20, 2018
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
$49
As a small business owner, your website offers a digital shop window for you to promote and sell your goods or services. You may have heard of landing page optimization as a way to enhance your sales funnel, but you’re unsure about the terminology or where to start. Learn from John Chan, Principal of 2x Conversion Design, and arm yourself with an understanding of key concepts, design best practices, and ways to test the effectiveness of your online presence.
Marketing Essentials for Small Business
Friday, August 24, 2018
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
$59
This seminar will help you focus on what your business has to offer and how you can communicate your message successfully. Delivered in a fast paced, interactive style filled with examples to get your entrepreneurial ideas flowing and leave with the next steps for a marketing plan.
Thinking Big
Supplying Professional Services to the Government of Canada
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
1:00PM to 2:30PM
FREE
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.
Are You Thinking of Exporting?
Thursday, August 16, 2018
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
$59
Do you plan to export products to foreign markets but don’t know where to start or what to do? Book this seminar today and prepare your business to be export ready in a strategic and planned way.
