Operations Management
Product Development
Can you Make Money with your Idea or Invention
A thorough review of the techniques and considerations in assessing whether a new product is viable.
Critical Assessment Factors for New Products
Factors to consider in assessing a new product viability, including technical, societal, marketing, business risk and commercialization.
Labelling
Information on the legal requirements for labels.
Technology Partnerships
This Industry Canada website has information on how to access funding for new products or services that involve technological breakthroughs.
For patents and trademarks, see the link to Intellectual Property in the Innovation and Technology section of the Managing for Business Success website.
Organizational Design
Designing the Right Organization
This article by Deloitte is sophisticated and somewhat complex, but addresses all the issues — keeping an entrepreneurial culture, balancing autonomy with efficiency, collaboration and teamwork, clear accountability, etc.
Quality Assurance
Steps to Competitiveness - Quality Assurance
This Strategis site offers a good overview of quality assurance for service firms.
Total Quality Management (TQM)
CCH website provides advice on how to establish a Total Quality Management program, including its benefits and costs.
ISO and other Standards
The Standards Council of Canada is responsible for the administration of national and international standards, including ISO and IEC, among others.
Supplier Management
Supplier Management
Items 3.1 through 3.4 in this section of The Canadian Alliance of Sector Councils' site provide a comprehensive list of essential considerations in selecting and managing suppliers, including the management of inventory (items
3.2 and 3.3) and receiving procedures for suppliers' products (item 3.4).
Purchasing Primer
The BusinessTown site provides a basic step-by-step guide on how to manage suppliers, from researching the best supplier to placing orders to acceptance and monitoring their invoices.
Distribution
Distribution Methods
A comprehensive overview of issues around distribution provided by CCH — comparisons with competitors, costs of alternative channels, prioritizing options and matching distribution to business goals.
Distribution et sélection d'agences (In French only)
The Quebec Ministry of Economic and Regional Development and Research provides a useful review of how to
get the best out of distribution challenges.
Risk Management
Risk Management
This section of The Canadian Alliance of Sector Councils' site provides a checklist of risks that should be managed, involving the protection of unexpected losses in the firm's assets, earning power and human resources.
Managing Business Risks
Click on Managing Business Risks for a comprehensive report by Deloitte and Touche on risk management — controlling the eventuality of risks of expensive setbacks in your market, your finances, your operations or acts of God.
Protecting your Assets
Some advice by CCH on how to protect your assets, starting with the establishment of what business risks there are and then how to limit liability in the business structure and controlling daily liability risks.
Production Planning
Increasing your Business Productivity and Efficiency
Do more with less. The Business Development Bank of Canada provides advice on how to find the right combination of financing and professional advice to boost your business productivity at minimal cost.
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Managing for Business Success
