Your Guide to Government Services and Support for Small Business

Key Support and Information Services

Canada Business Service Centres

Canada Business Service Centres (CBSCs) should be your first stop for business information. Whether you are a start-up entrepreneur or an established small business owner, you are sure to find the CBSCs an efficient way to access information about government programs, services and regulations. Information is available from all levels of government, reducing complexity and enabling CBSC personnel to tailor an information package to meet your specific needs.

The current network of 12 centres, one in each province, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories, is the result of cooperative arrangements between the federal government and the provincial and territorial governments and, in some cases, the private sector. There is also a growing network of partners providing access to CBSC information in communities across Canada.

Key Activities

The information services of the CBSCs use a comprehensive database of federal and provincial programs and services for businesses called the Business Information System (BIS). The database is continually updated across the country to strict quality standards and provides the business community with free access to accurate information. CBSCs use the BIS to answer inquiries through all modes of service access.

Service by Telephone

You can call our toll-free telecentres and speak to trained business information officers who will direct you to the best sources of information or refer you to programs and services relevant to your business situation. Some centres have optional recorded answers to frequently asked questions to speed up service.

Toll-free: 1-888-576-4444

Service on the Web

The CBSCs' Web site contains information on programs, services and selected regulations of participating federal and provincial agencies. The Web site is continually updated with new material and useful links to other Web sites.

Web site: http://www.cbsc.org

Web Toolbox

The CBSCs have collaborated in the development of several innovative products:

Interactive Business Planner (http://www.cbsc.org/ibp) is the first small business planning software designed specifically to operate on the World Wide Web. This interactive on-line tool will help you prepare a comprehensive business plan for your new or existing business.

On-line Small Business Workshop (http://www.cbsc.org/osbw) is a Web-based workshop designed to provide you with techniques for developing your idea, starting a new venture or improving your existing small business.

Service by E-mail

You can send us your questions by E-mail from the Web site and get a response within one business day.

Service in Person

The CBSCs offer an extensive collection of business-related publications, directories, leading-edge business products (e.g. videos, CD-ROMs) and access to external databases. Business clients can use these materials to do research on their own or with the help of a trained business information officer. Whether you are writing a business plan, looking for new markets or getting ready to export, the resources in the centres are invaluable. The CBSCs are expanding access to information resources in many communities across Canada through partnerships with existing business service organizations.

Info-Fax Service

A toll-free, automated fax response system allows you to order documents using your Touch-Tone^TM telephone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. First, order your choice of catalogues by subject, and review the collection of documents available. Then, call again and have your selections faxed directly to you.

Info-Guides

These brief overviews describe services and programs organized by topic (e.g. exporting). Info-Guides are available from the CBSCs, on the Web or through the Info-Fax Service.

See the Key Contacts section for the CBSC nearest you.

INTERACTIVE BUSINESS PLANNER

If you have just come up with a great business idea, you need a plan to back it up. Plan for success using the Interactive Business Planner (IBP). The IBP is an innovative Web-based tool that will help you prepare a comprehensive business plan for a new or existing business. The IBP will:

detail what a business plan can do and why it's important to have one;

show you what to include in a business plan;

help you identify and collect information on marketing, management, regulations, risks, financing and more;

automatically generate your income statement, cash flow statement and balance sheet; and

provide tips and examples to help you write your own business plan.

With the IBP, you can save your plan on the Canada Business Service Centre server for up to 60 days and retrieve it using your own password 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Interactive Business Planner is effective, easy to use, and it's free.

Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/ibp

TEAM CANADA INC
1 888 811-1119
EXPORT INFORMATION SERVICE

Team Canada Inc's toll-free Export Information Service, operated by the Canada Business Service Centres, connects businesses to the full range of government export services and expertise. Whether you are currently exporting or new to the opportunities of global markets, this service will make it easier to find the right program, service or expert to consult. A trained information officer is ready to provide answers to your questions or connect you to the many export services available. The service is available Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in every time zone in Canada.

Author: Industry Portfolio Office
Date of Publication: 2001-04-04

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