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Return of the Guest Advisors

The Business Link's Guest Advisor Program is coming back on October 6. This unique initiative provides you with the opportunity to speak with professionals who volunteer their time to discuss your business concerns in confidence, either in person or over the phone. A representative is available at The Business Link from Monday to Friday, 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.:

Mondays:
management consultants
Tuesdays:
lawyers
Wednesdays:
accountants
Thursdays:
financial representatives
Fridays:
e-business experts

There is no cost or obligation, and no appointment is needed. Take advantage of this service by calling toll-free 1-800-272-9675. Enquiries can also be sent via e-mail. For more information, visit the Guest Advisor page on our web site.

Albertans Invited to Review Consumer Protection Law

Albertans are being asked to share their experiences as the province reviews its chief consumer protection law, the Fair Trading Act. Every Albertan has a stake in this legislation since new industries and trends can affect consumers in unexpected ways.

The Fair Trading Act protects Albertans from unfair or misleading business practices. Consumers misled into buying a product through false representation or undue pressure have the right to file a complaint under the act. Among the key issues being addressed in the review are: moving companies, warranties, credit reporting, and contracts for services such as modelling, tanning and fitness clubs.

The discussion paper can be filled out online by going to www.gov.ab.ca/gs and clicking on "Discussion Papers". Copies are also available at MLA constituency offices or by calling 310-0000 toll-free and entering 780-427-5210. Responses to the discussion paper will be used to develop amendments to the act. The deadline for comment is October 10, 2003.

2004 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction

Nominations for the 13th Annual Alberta Business Awards of Distinction are now being accepted until Monday, November 17, 2003.

The Awards, hosted by the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) in association with numerous corporate sponsors, recognize excellence in areas from youth employment to exporting and business ethics to diversity in the workplace.

If your business excels and contributes to the prosperity of Alberta, you are encouraged to enter in any or all of the categories. The Awards include 13 individual categories and the prestigious Premier's Award of Distinction. They will be presented at a gala banquet on February 18, 2004 at the TELUS Corporation Centre in Calgary.

For more information visit the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction's web site at www.abbusiness
awards.ab.ca.

Business Plan Competition

Put the fine touches on your business plan because VenturePrize is back!

The largest business plan competition of its kind in Canada, Greater Edmonton's VenturePrize Business Plan Competition officially launches October 29 at the Telus Centre in Edmonton. It offers a variety of benefits to participants, including over $140,000 in prizes, six low-cost business plan seminars, and linkage to the VenturePrize Mentor Network.

For more information or to enter the competition, visit www.ventureprize.com. The submission deadline for plans is January 30, 2004.

Meet the Link

Jim Ewing is the Business Development Officer for The Business Link. He is responsible for a number of value-added strategic initiatives including establishing relationships between The Business Link and other private and public sector organizations supporting SMEs and our Guest Advisor Program.

With 23 years experience in small business development and the financial industry, Jim has worked with clients exploring every stage of entrepreneurship. He is also a frequently requested speaker and trainer, member of Toastmasters International and the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (Edmonton chapter), and has frequently been seen on ACCESS - the Education Station and Canadian Learning Television.

Jim can be reached at (780) 427-7768 or by e-mail at: ewing.jim@cbsc.ic.gc.ca.

For Library Members

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The Business Link's Fall 2003
Seminars and Brown Bag Presentations

Our economically-priced Small Business Seminars and FREE Brown Bag Presentations feature the basics of business from start-up to marketing to e-business...and more! All sessions are held at The Business Link at 100 - 10237 104 Street in Edmonton. Pre-registration is required for the seminars but not for the "brown baggers", however there is limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information on our Small Business Seminars and to register on-line, visit our web site at: www.cbsc.org/alberta/seminars. cfm. Details on the "Brown Baggers" are available at: www.cbsc.org/alberta/brownbag.cfm.

Focus on Tourism - Industry Profile Series

If you are a seasoned tourism operator, or just considering entry into this exciting industry, you will want to participate in The Business Link's industry profile sessions on Tourism this month.

These events held on Wednesdays will provide you with a unique opportunity to learn more about the Tourism sector while connecting with many of the agencies that support the growth of this important industry in Alberta. Our presenters and exhibitors are professionals in their fields of expertise. Their knowledge and network of contacts will help you build vital relationships in the Tourism industry.

All sessions are held at The Business Link in Edmonton. For maximum value, attend the full series of events (pre-registration is not required):

For more information, visit The Business Link's web site at: www.cbsc.org/alberta/content/TourismBrochure.pdf. Stay tuned for next month's profile on Manufacturing!

Small Business Week - October 19 to 25, 2003

Join in the celebrations as the country honours its small businesses!

Small Business Week is a national celebration organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) in cooperation with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce during the last full week of October. It pays tribute to the significant contribution that small and medium-sized business owners make to our economy and gives them an opportunity to network with those interested in small business and dedicated to its development.

Many learning opportunities and networking events are held during Small Business Week by chambers of commerce, business information centres, economic development offices and other organizations. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about entrepreneurship and celebrate the success of small businesses in Alberta, by visiting the calendar of events prepared by The Business Link at: www.sbwalberta.ca.

Quality Council of Alberta Brown Bag Sessions

The Quality Council of Alberta (QCA) invites you to attend their FREE monthly Brown Bag Sessions, held every third Friday of the month at noon from September to June, 2004. Bring your lunch and take in this series on this year's theme "Share, Celebrate, Invigorate". Presenters will share best practices used by high performing organizations throughout the world, celebrate some home grown examples and invigorate participants with "what's going well".

This month's session on "Effectively Communicating Plans & Progress" will be held at The Business Link on Friday, October 17, 2003 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Seating is limited and allocated on a first come - first served basis.

For more information and to register for this session, contact Ann Beaque at the Quality Council of Alberta at 780-423-6878 or 1-800-224-0848 or by e-mail at: abeaque@telusplanet.net.

Independent Contractors: Agreements must be properly structured
by Carr & Company Barristers & Solicitors
www.carrlaw.com

There are many advantages to hiring “independent contractors” instead of “employees”. From a business point of view, for example, a business hiring an independent contractor does not have to withhold nor pay the employer’s portion of Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan, and there may be a saving on the business’ Workers’ Compensation premiums. From the worker’s point of view, the self-employed worker will not be subject to Employment Insurance premiums, but will have to pay both the employer’s and employee’s portion of Canada Pension Plan premiums. And the worker will be entitled to certain deductions for tax purposes which would not be available to that worker as an employee. The savings to both the business and the worker can be substantial.

One person’s gain is another person’s loss. The “loser” is generally a government agency, and affected government agencies routinely attack “independent contractor” agreements. Similarly, disgruntled workers attack such agreements, generally after termination, in order to become entitled to receive employment insurance, vacation pay, and severance payments.

A properly structured independent contractor agreement will provide certain standards of performance which must be met by the worker, but will not specify how those standards are to be met nor give to the business any control over how those standards are met.

This is one of those areas where proper advice can save a business thousands of dollars. A properly drafted independent contractor agreement will generally cost less than the savings to be achieved by the business in a single year. If you are going to have independent contractors, can you afford and do you want to take the risk of not having a properly structured agreement?

Copyright © 2003 Carr & Company Barristers & Solicitors

Once again, during the entire month of October, The Business Link is hosting a web site dedicated to Small Business Week in Alberta at www.sbwalberta.ca. Find out about learning and networking opportunities offered in your community to participate in the exciting events held during this all-important week. In addition to a database of events, this site also features the latest statistics on small business in Alberta as well as "video business tips" on business start-up, taxation, financing and more. Check out this site regularly as it will be continually updated until the beginning of Small Business Week.

For more useful links to additional sources of business information, visit our web site at: www.cbsc.org/alberta/tbl.cfm?fn=weblinks.

The Business Link works in partnership with over 30 Regional Access Sites located throughout the province, plus the Calgary Business Information Centre (CBIC), to provide information and resources to Alberta entrepreneurs. To find the closest Regional Access Site in your area, visit our web site at: www.cbsc.org/alberta/regional.cfm

Lethbridge & District CFDC provides numerous services for new and existing small businesses in a region including, but not limited to, the City of Lethbridge, the County of Lethbridge, Coaldale, Raymond, Magrath, Picture Butte, Stirling, Barons, Nobleford, Coalhurst, and the Blood Band Reserve. Entrepreneurs and business people may access a number of services and resources at the Centre, including business planning assistance, consulting services (market research, implementation strategy and financial planning), computer and Internet access, as well as a self-paced resource library which offers a wealth of information to help you plan, start and manage your business.

Lethbridge & District Community Futures Development Corporation provides financing to entrepreneurs and existing business owners who are unable to obtain conventional financing. New and existing small businesses can obtain a loan up $125,000. Business loans up to $75,000 are also available for entrepreneurs with disabilities through the Entrepeneurs with Disabilities Program and youth between the ages of 18 and 25 can apply for a loan up to $25,000 through a special youth investment fund.

In partnership with the Lethbridge Community College, the Lethbridge CFDC facilitates a series of 11 business workshops at the Terry Royer Institute. The Lethbridge CFDC is also active in Junior Achievement training courses for students and business courses offered through the County of Lethbridge Community Learning Council business courses for adults. In addition, it participates in other business related seminars/workshops in and around Lethbridge throughout the year.

For more information, contact Lethbridge & District Community Futures Development Corporation at:

2626 South Parkside Drive
Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 0C4
Phone: (403) 320-6044
Fax: (403) 327-8476
E-mail: email@lethcfdc.ab.ca
Web site: www.lethcfdc.ab.ca