Business News
Word of Mouth Referrals and How to Get Them
Robert Buller’s presentation at the May 2013 luncheon on Word of Mouth Referrals was a terrific endorsement of the power of referrals. For those unable to attend the May luncheon we have, with Robert Buller’s permission, posted his PowerPoint presentation here on our website. For anyone who would like to improve their business this presentation is a “must see”.
His presentation included some startling statistics:
~ All Healthy businesses will lose 15% of business annually.
~ Need to replace 15% before any growth can occur
~ 74% of businesses report Word of Mouth as their PRIMARY source of new business, across ALL industries and organizations
He also had some words of advice on how to tailor your 30 second elevator speech, it should include:
~ What you do – the range
~ What you like to do
~ Who you prefer to serve
Find the full PowerPoint presentation here.
Interesting Business Information & Articles
Preparing to launch a new business in BC?
A useful BDC guide for entrepreneurs seeking a loan from their bank
Staples - easyblog
Cloud computing in your forecast? This link leads to an article by the Privacy Commissioner with a guide to cloud computing.
Robert Smithson is a labour and employment lawyer, and operates Smithson Employment Law in Kelowna. For more information about his practice, or to subscribe to You Work Here, visit http://www.smithsonlaw.ca This subject matter is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. His weekly columns are always informative and often entertaining.
These articles are courtesy of the Women's Enterprise Centre
What is Market Research & What Can it Do For You?
What you need to know about permits, licences & registries
BC Progress Board
The BC Progress Board has released their Tenth Annual BC Progress Board Benchmark Report. The full report and all related material are available on their website at www.bcprogressboard.com .
The BC Progress Board is an independent panel of up to 18 business executives and academic leaders established by Premier Gordon Campbell in July 2001 to competitively benchmark BC's economic, environmental and social progress over time and relative to other jurisdictions. The Board also advises on ways to improve economic performance and social well-being.
BC Business magazine takes a look at the year ahead for working and doing business in British Columbia.
No one can truly predict the year you’ll have – whether you’re a worker bee amongst thousands or a one-person startup. But we tried anyway, tapping the psyche and sentiment of the B.C. business person – from expectations at work, to where the economy is headed, to what they really think about Gen Y.
The answers – from more than 250 of our readers – reveal a workforce that’s optimistic and content, but divided on how to move the province forward economically. This is a rare, revealing look at how we feel about earning a living in B.C. going into 2013 – how much we make (and expect to make) to fund our piece of coast and mountain paradise and how much vacation we get to enjoy the fruits of our labour. These are uncertain times. We need all the help we can get. Click here for the full report.
Government of Canada
On June 1, 2013, federal government opportunities will be published and made available free of charge on a Government of Canada Web site, Buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders. Visit the Tenders minisite often to see our progress!
Buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders will be the authoritative source for federal government procurements that are subject to trade agreements or subject to departmental policies that are below trade agreement thresholds.
New Features
Check our progress as we begin to add powerful features on the new Buyandsell.gc.ca/tenders that will let you easily:
• Search for opportunities using simple plain language search terms to match your good or service to available tenders.
• Narrow down search results to find opportunities of interest by region, Goods and Services Identification Number (GSIN), department and more.
• Find related procurement information for any tender, such as previous contracts or pre-qualified suppliers who hold standing offers or supply arrangements.
• Save your search to include in emails, Tweets, or other social media to share with your professional contacts.
• Use a third-party feed reader to follow any opportunity or GSIN to stay on top of new tenders or amendments.
Until June 1, 2013, please refer to Opportunities on MERX.
Doing Business with the Government of Canada
Eliminating the penny. Fact Sheet and FAQ http://www.budget.gc.ca/2012/themes/theme2-fs-fi-3-eng.html
In Economic Action Plan 2012, the Government announced it would phase out the penny from Canada’s coinage system.
We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to visit www.fin.gc.ca/1cent to learn more about this initiative, and to find resources that will help you spread the message about phasing out the penny.
We will also be undertaking other awareness-raising activities in the coming weeks, designed specifically for businesses and consumers both before February 4, 2013, and beyond.
Government of BC
Consultations with Provincial Sales Tax Specialists
Small Business Profile 2012
www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/bus_stat/busind/sm_bus.asp#sbp
Music Licensing
Music is one of the truly universal things that make people all over the world feel good. It also sells ideas, services and products. The value of music to business owners is obvious and, in some cases, integral to their success. If you use music, live or recorded, in your business or for your event please click on this link for licensing information as it is Federal Copyright Law. www.socan.ca
RCMP
Business Fraud Awareness Tips - click here
Reporting Scams and Frauds - http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams-fraudes/rep-sig-eng.htm
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