|
|
|
|
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
Does your library membership need renewing?
Come and check out our newest resources and have your
membership updated for only $12.
|
|
Talk to Us!
Need assistance in finding information
on our web site? Check out our web/voice support service,
"Talk to Us".
|
|
Send to
a Friend
Please feel free to forward E-News!
from The Business Link
to a friend or colleague. They can subscribe
on-line on our web site.
|
|
Cliquez ici
pour accéder, ou vous abonner à ce bulletin
électronique en français. |
|
|
Welcome to a new issue of E-News!
from The Business Link. Whether this is your
first time to receive E-News!, or you've
been with us from the first issue, we hope you will enjoy
this quick monthly e-newsletter. Our goal is to keep you
informed of upcoming events and services at The
Business Link and other items of interest to Alberta's
small business community.
Your feedback is welcome at any time to help us improve
and enhance our services for Alberta entrepreneurs. Simply
click on the "Feedback" icon located at the
top of E-News! to send us your views.
|
|
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.
October
Schedule |
Date
|
Time
|
Topic |
Cost
|
2
|
12
noon - 1 p.m.
|
Exporting:
It's a Different World Out There! |
FREE
|
2
|
6 - 9 p.m.
|
Preparing
a Business Plan |
$32.10
|
7
|
12 noon
- 1 p.m.
|
A
Framework for Excellent Business Practices |
FREE
|
9
|
12 noon
- 1 p.m.
|
Protecting
Your Business Financially: Creditor Proofing |
FREE
|
9
|
6 - 9 p.m.
|
Improving
Your Business Communications |
$32.10
|
14
|
12 noon
- 1 p.m.
|
Factoring:
An Alternative Source of Financing |
FREE
|
16
|
12 noon
- 1 p.m.
|
Importing
Basics |
FREE
|
16
|
6 - 9 p.m.
|
Marketing
Basics: Branding Your Organization |
$32.10
|
21
|
12 noon
- 1 p.m.
|
Designing
Your Professional Biography as a Promotional
Tool |
FREE
|
23
|
12 noon
- 1 p.m.
|
Will
Power |
FREE
|
23
|
6 - 9 p.m.
|
Tax
Saving Tips for the Entrepreneur |
$32.10
|
28
|
12 noon
- 1 p.m.
|
Marketing
Planning from A to $ |
FREE
|
30
|
12 noon
- 1 p.m.
|
Aboriginal
Financing |
FREE
|
30
|
6 - 9:30
p.m.
|
Starting
a Small Business |
$32.10
|
|
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):
Focus
on Tourism - Industry Profile Series |
Date
|
Time
|
Topic |
Cost
|
1
|
12
noon - 1:15 p.m.
|
Alberta's
Tourism Industry: Entrepreneurial Opportunities
in one of Alberta's Largest Sectors |
FREE
|
8
|
12
noon - 1 p.m.
|
Running
a Tourism Business |
FREE
|
15
|
12
noon - 1 p.m.
|
Effective
Recruitment & Retention - A Key to Business
Success |
FREE
|
22
|
12
noon - 1 p.m.
|
What
is Coaching? |
FREE
|
|
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 employers portion of Employment Insurance
and Canada Pension Plan, and there may be a saving on
the business Workers Compensation premiums.
From the workers point of view, the self-employed
worker will not be subject to Employment Insurance premiums,
but will have to pay both the employers and employees
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 persons gain is another persons 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
One of these Regional Access Sites is Lethbridge &
District Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC).
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
|
|
The
Business Link Business
Service Centre
100-10237 104 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5J 1B1
Business Info Line: 780-422-7722 or 1-800-272-9675
Fax: 780-422-0055 |
|
www.cbsc.org/alberta |
|
|
|
|