Posts Tagged ‘Small business’

Grow your business globally

Are you thinking of growing globally? If you’re like thousands of other Canadian entrepreneurs, you may be drawn by the allure of international markets and the promise they hold for your business. If so, consider these top tips for finding global opportunities: 

Look beyond the United States For new exporters, the US can be an attractive market. After all, it’s close and culturally similar. However, it’s important to consider all options. Emerging markets, such as China, Brazil and India, can offer you a competitive advantage if you’re one of the first in your industry to establish a foothold. Similarly, other well-established markets may be just the right fit for your product or service.

Conduct thorough market research Be sure to base your target market decision on in-depth research. Investigate your list of markets and evaluate their potential based on market and import growth. Identify issues that may influence demand for your product or service and investigate any barriers to trade. Then, narrow down your list to one or two key markets.

Register with the Canadian Company Capabilities (CCC) database CCC is a powerful networking tool. The database lists 60,000 Canadian companies. Besides being a valuable marketing tool for your business, it allows you to connect with suppliers with exporting experience, buyers and distributors. You’ll also get access to public and private sector business opportunities. Check out www.ic.gc.ca/cdncc.

Enlist the help of the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service Register for the Virtual Trade Commissioner at www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca to get access to market and sector information, upcoming events and business leads. Tap into the network of Trade Commissioners in Canada and abroad for help with finding opportunities and qualified contacts in your target market.

Remember, the opportunities are out there. With a bit of legwork, you’ll find them!

By Nicole d’Entremont, small business owner. More information is available at www.CanadaBusiness.ca or by calling 1-888-576-4444 (TTY 1-800-457-8466).

Posted by Ashley in Growing Your Biz on January 27th, 2012

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Is it time to replace your wireless router?

Running a small business requires many tools, but one of the most important is access to the internet. When was the last time you thought about replacing your router? Watch the latest episode of Staples Tech TV to see the top five reasons why you should replace your router.

 

Posted by Ashley in Getting Organized on December 19th, 2011

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Taking business on the go

By Kathleen Ohlson

With the way business is going, people are likely spending more time on the road, taking in client meetings, attending trade shows or checking out new products.

Now that many of us are spending a lot of time out of the office, it’s extremely important to find ways to stay in touch. And there are a lot of apps out there that can help you do just that. From organizing files to taking purchases to posting special deals, you’ll have everything you need wherever you are.

Here are a few business apps that will help you stay connected.

Evernote: Did you just figure out that challenge at work, but you’re stuck in traffic? Or do you keep track of your ideas on lots of post-its? You can capture your ideas and thoughts on Evernote, an app with voice recognition that allows you to create text, images and audio on your smartphone or tablet. Then it automatically syncs up with your desktop.

Tripit: Traveling for business is filled with all kinds of stresses, like finding out about last-minute flight changes or stumbling through the airport looking for your departure gate. The Tripit app will keep all of your travel plans in one place. After you set up an account on the Tripit Web site, you just forward your plans to the service’s email, plans@tripit.com. You’ll be able to find out all the details of a flight, from departure to arrival times, as well as the gates and terminals for each side of the trip and the flight’s length. As an added bonus, if you trying to fit in some fun with friends or family when you’re in town, you can share your travel information with them.

Dropbox: You have documents on your laptop, photos on your smartphone and videos on your tablet. How do you get all of this in one place? Dropbox will help you organize all of your documents, photos and videos. Once you install it on your computer, any file you save to Dropbox will sync up with your computer, smartphone or tablet. Now you’ll be able to prep for that presentation or check out your latest family photos before your next meeting whenever you want to.

Expensify: Tracking expenses on the road may consist of a crumpled wad of receipts in a laptop bag. The Expensify app helps you get organized by capturing your receipts digitally. Expensify will let you take a picture of the receipt, create an expense report and automatically sync it up with your account.

HootSuite: You may be on a business trip, but you still can be plugged into all of your social media connections through HootSuite. This app will allow you to update Facebook, check into Foursquare, send out Tweets and more. You can also send out business reminders and track info on who’s clicking into your business.

So what apps are you using? And why?

Kathleen Ohlson is an editor and contributing writer based in Staples U.S. headquarters in Framingham, Mass. She has a background in journalism, blogging and editing.

Posted by Ashley in Getting Organized on December 16th, 2011

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Small Business Holiday Checklist

By John Lindo

For many small business owners, the holiday season means sending out greeting cards, delivering some gift baskets, perhaps a holiday party or dinner for employees, but it also (for most) signals the end of the fiscal year.

Before you ring in the New Year, take advantage of some of the downtime during the holidays to complete this year-end checklist.

Start gathering all your financial documents. Tax time will come before you know it, so ensure that you’ve collected all your important documents (receipts,

charitable donations, expense forms, tax forms). Your accountant will thank you.

Be sure to complete all your monthly expenses. This is a dreaded task for most small business owners. Try to stay up-to-date so you’re not left scrambling at the end of the year.

Set your goals. First evaluate the objectives you set at the beginning of the year, and then assess how well you measured up. From there, you can set new goals, which will give you something to strive for in the upcoming year. It can be tough to stay motivated when you don’t have a boss to report to (read: breathing down your neck), so try to be self-disciplined and push yourself to meeting or exceeding the goals you set. You may not have a “bonus” riding on it, but it will definitely pay off in the long run.

Update your business plan. The end of the year is a good time to reassess your business plan to see what’s working, what isn’t working, and what new opportunities exist for your business. Do your research and plan accordingly.

Update your promotional collateral. Did you land some new clients this year? Why not ask to list them on your website, or even better, ask for a testimonial. Maybe you received some great news coverage. Be sure to update your website with all your recent work and accomplishments. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with doing a little PR for yourself.

But most importantly, be sure to take the time to look back and celebrate all your great achievements throughout the year. You worked hard, so you deserve a toast.

Cheers!

John Lindo is the Founder of Razor Voice Inc., a Public Relations agency based in the GTA. During his first 10 years in the PR industry, John oversaw the communications departments at both Bridgestone Canada and Nissan Canada. Visit http://www.razorvoice.com/

Posted by Ashley in Getting Organized on December 14th, 2011

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Holiday Celebrations on a Budget

By Bonnie Sokoloff

It’s that time of year again, and along with the holiday season come the parties!

Your team has worked hard for you all year and you want to show your appreciation but, as with many small businesses, you don’t have a lot of money to spend on “extras.”

Relax—you can still celebrate the season without breaking the bank.

Try Your Potluck

It’s not as lavish as a catered affair, but it really is one of the most economical types of parties you can throw. And it’s easy to organize as well. Decide ahead on a basic menu of items and then ask everyone to choose something that they’d like to bring. Perhaps you can cover the main items (e.g. a couple of entrees and beverages) and let the others choose between appetizers and desserts. And speaking of beverages, it’s important to exercise caution with the alcoholic variety—especially if the party is held during working hours, on the premises, or if any partygoers plan to drive home afterwards.

Let Them Be Your Guests

If possible, why not consider inviting your staff to your home for a casual get-together? You can keep the menu items simple without sacrificing quality—many retailers, such as Costco or M&M’s, offer a variety of trays and platters to keep your guests full and happy. You can also simplify things and just serve punch and finger-foods such as seasoned roasted nuts, chicken wings, mini pizzas, dips and pita chips, and everyone’s favourite, cheese and crackers. Want to hold an event that’s alcohol-free? Try a dessert party: offer a variety of coffees and teas, as well as a buffet of assorted desserts to try. And try not to think too much about the calorie count!

Up the Entertainment Value

There’s no need to go all out for a DJ or a band to get the music playing—all you really need is an MP3 player and some good speakers. Put together a few playlists beforehand (e.g. background/mingling music, dance tunes, holiday hits, etc.) and you’ll have everyone up on the dance floor (or your living room floor) all night long. Party games are another way to boost the fun factor—there’s nothing like a few rounds of Charades, Pictionary or Trivial Pursuit to create some friendly competition. It’s also a great ice-breaking activity that helps people get to know one another outside of the work environment.

To Give Gifts, or Not To Give Gifts?

This can be a tricky one, and really depends on the size of your group and your budget. It’s not all about the money, but if you really think your employees would rather receive a bonus or present instead of a party, you can play Santa instead of host. If you can afford both, throw the party and hand out small gift bags to your departing guests. We all know that a Tim Horton’s gift card, regardless of denomination, is usually a hit with everyone.

Remember, no matter what you decide in the end, the point is to show your staff just how much you appreciate all the time and effort they’ve put in for you throughout the year, and you don’t need to take on a bank loan or second mortgage to say, “Thank You!”

How does your company celebrate the holidays? Share your tips and ideas in the comment section!

BONNIE SOKOLOFF currently works as an Internal Communications Specialist for Staples Canada. She has over 15 years of experience with copywriting, editing and print production.

Posted by Ashley in Getting Organized, Lifestyle on December 5th, 2011

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Three tips for keeping your business booming during tough economic times

Guest post by Geoffrey Morgan, part of the Small Business team at Intuit.

No one likes an economic downturn. No matter what your business is, if you need customers and want them to spend money, a wallet clenching trend is bad news. Thankfully, there are a number of business principles that’ll help carry you through the trough and onto the next upward trend. Here are three to consider.

1. Keep the money flowing. Easier said than done, but have you looked closely at who your best customers are, and which suppliers offer the best deals and most flexible terms? A customer who pays late likely isn’t a customer to have in these times. Study your records and make the right decisions about who you’ll focus on. Financial management software like QuickBooks will identify your best and worst customers and suppliers.

2. Keep communicating. Your customers need to know you’re open for business. Yes, a birthday email is good, but also think about how you can leverage your data – it’ll tell you why Jane Smith is your customer, where her needs lie and give you the material you need for positive communication. Communicate regularly so you develop a cadence of interaction, rather than random one-offs. Cultivate as many customer relationships as you can and you’ll keep people walking through your door.

3. Cut the administration and focus on your business. Many shine when it comes to the sales aspect of their business, but get stuck when keeping up the books. Accounting duties can be frustrating and time consuming and when dollars are tight, time away from your customers can be a killer. Automate the bookkeeping and use software that gives you a dashboard of the most critical elements (invoices due, overdue customers, P&L, etc) and spend the rest of your precious hours growing the business.

Posted by Ashley in Growing Your Biz on November 30th, 2011

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Shopping small business for the holidays

By Ashley Jang

As we approach the holidays our televisions sets, favourite websites and radio stations are inundated with advertisements from companies showing off their coolest gift ideas. It can be challenging for a small business to compete and show shoppers why they should be shopping at their local small business instead.

With the craziness of Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the U.S. it’s easy to forget about the special day that lies in between: Small Business Saturday. It’s a day for consumers to show support for their favourite small business by shopping at their stores. It also happens to fall perfectly in-line with holiday shopping time.

It can be easy to visit your local mall for a one-stop shop for everyone on your Christmas list but it can also be a nightmare trying to get through the crazy crowds and find a parking spot that isn’t a 10-minute walk from the entrance. For those of you interesting in avoiding the hustle and bustle, shopping small businesses might be the route for you.

Is there a small business that you will be supporting on Saturday? Tell us in the comments section!

Ashley Jang currently works as a Social Media Community Specialist for Staples Canada. She has a background in journalism, social media marketing, blogging and strategic communications.

Posted by Ashley in Growing Your Biz, Lifestyle on November 25th, 2011

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What you need to know about starting your own business

By Soulla Lindo

So you’ve decided you want to be your own boss. You want to set your own schedule, you want to call the shots and you definitely want to reap the rewards of your efforts. You’ve already got the basics covered:

Great idea: check.
Business plan: check.
Market research: check.
Competitive analysis: check.
Business registration: check.
Office supplies: check.

But before you go any further, here’s what you really need to know about starting your own business—the details that people never tell you.

Starting a business is a lot like getting married. In order for it to be successful, it requires love, commitment, effort, sacrifice and boatloads of patience. You’ll likely experience the honeymoon period when you start your own business—it’s new and exciting, with endless possibilities. But when the honeymoon phase is over and reality sets in, you need to be prepared for the dedication it takes to make it successful. You’ll learn as you go, and you’ll certainly make mistakes, but if you’re really committed (and adaptable), you’ll grow along with your business to become a solid partnership.

It’s staggering to think that approximately 50 percent of new businesses fail within the first year, while roughly 90 percent fail within the first five years. But the truth hurts. People are often not prepared financially to make the leap into entrepreneurship and haven’t prepared ahead with enough of a cushion to fall back on. Don’t expect to make a profit in your first year, or even your first three years, for that matter. Don’t get me wrong, many new businesses do make a profit from the onset, but you shouldn’t go in with that mindset because you will likely be disappointed. Make sure you’re comfortable enough financially before you start, in order to put in a good solid effort.

Stay motivated during the slow times. Undoubtedly, your new business will experience ups and downs. Don’t get discouraged. Instead, use that time to grow your business and your network contacts. Engage in social media, attend conferences, and plan coffee meetings with your mentors and networks. Essentially, do what you can to get the word out about your business.

And finally, if I can offer one more important piece of advice, don’t start a business because you need something to do. Don’t do it because you’re unhappy with your current job. Don’t do it for the money. Do it because you’re passionate about it. It’s the only reason that will keep you going during the hard times.

Being your own boss definitely has its advantages, but being prepared before you take the plunge can help make all the difference. Good luck!

Soulla Lindo is a communications manager, small business owner and blogger. She has worked in a variety of internal communications, public relations and website management functions. Soulla is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and holds a Corporate Communications Graduate Certificate from Seneca College. Her favourite office supply is the Post-it Note—which she couldn’t live without.

Posted by Ashley in Getting Started on November 23rd, 2011

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Small businesses – Get your voice heard!

If you’re the owner of a small or medium-sized business, and have a voice that needs to be heard, Staples is ready to listen! We currently have openings available on our Staples Ideas On Work Panel, where your opinions count.

Staples Ideas On Work Panel was created in 2008 as a way to improve and tailor our products and customer services to meet the specific needs of small businesses and offer solutions to best serve your needs in growing your business. We understand how busy you are; as a panelist, time requirements are minimal—your contribution of a few ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers to our emailed survey questions is all we need. And if you sign up now, your name will be entered in a draw to win one of five $50 Staples gift cards.

The Staples Ideas On Work Panel encourages small business owners to join a network of approximately 1,500 other small-business-owner panelists. We benefit by hearing your opinions on business initiatives, new ideas and concepts on how we can serve you better in providing exactly what you need.

You benefit by:

  • Gaining insightful information about the latest trends and business practices. Receiving a bi-monthly newsletter that offers the latest on what other small businesses are doing, corporate news and the decisions we’ve made as a result of your feedback.
  • Volunteering to participate in the surveys twice each month, where you can voice your opinions about your needs, likes and dislikes, and why.

Occasionally, you’ll have the option of attending one of our focus group sessions, where you’ll meet other business owners in discussing new initiatives or concerns and receive some great rewards for your participation.

If you are interested in joining forces with 1,500 of your fellow small business owners, please click here to start: Staples Ideas On Work Panel

Posted by Ashley in Lifestyle on November 9th, 2011

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PR Tips For Small Businesses

By John Lindo

It’s no secret that small businesses often lack the budget for large-scale marketing campaigns. When trying to get your business off the ground, you need to get your name out there, but running ads and printing brochures can often be very costly. So how can you create a buzz about your business without spending a small fortune?

It’s simple – Public Relations.

Well… it isn’t always that simple. With an over-crowded media stage, making your story stand out can definitely be a challenge.

But I do have some tips for small business owners who want to get noticed by the media.

Find a hook. Unlike marketing, PR isn’t all about you. It’s about telling a story. People don’t read the media to read pages and pages of ads and propaganda. They want to read compelling stories, so be sure to tell yours in an interesting way. How do you make people’s lives easier? What do you do to help your community? What can you teach people?

Target your audience. You can send your press release out to hundreds, even thousands of outlets, but that can be costly and time-consuming—as an entrepreneur, resources are likely already pretty tight. So take the time to research different media outlets and figure out which one best matches your product or service and target them specifically. Be sure to research the proper editorial contact, as well. And finally, tailor your communication to show that you’ve done your homework (i.e. “I noticed your recent story on XYZ. I think I have something you might also be interested in writing about…”).

Follow up. It’s easy to send out a release via email and forget about it. But following up a few days later with a phone call can often be very effective. Ask the reporter if they’ve received your release and let them know that you’re available to answer any questions they may have. This will also help you build relationships with different journalists.

Use social media. There are so many great tools out there to help you connect with potential clients, as well as media sources. Utilize them to build relationships in addition to promoting your business. Just remember, social media is about two-way conversation. Don’t just talk about yourself and your business. Connect with people, listen and offer meaningful content.

These are some simple tips to help you get your voice heard. It may take some time, but when your story makes it into the paper, it will be well worth the effort.

John Lindo is the Founder of Razor Voice Inc., a Public Relations agency based in the GTA. During his first 10 years in the PR industry, John oversaw the communications departments at both Bridgestone Canada and Nissan Canada. www.razorvoice.com

Posted by Ashley in Marketing on October 24th, 2011

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