Overview

The Service Industries Branch of Industry Canada developed Steps to Competitiveness to present, in a modular format, information on competitiveness issues and gaps facing small and medium sized service firms.

The 9 modules on this site contain diagnostic and management tools. Each module begins with an overview of the topic. In many instances, this narrative is followed by a diagnostic or self assessment tool which enables users to assess their competitiveness and identify any weaknesses which may require additional examination and follow-up. A reference section containing suggestions for further study as well as links to other relevant Internet sites concludes many of the modules.

There are no simple solutions to competitiveness gaps. Although the modules contain extensive information, they do not purport to provide a total solution package to identified problems. They were developed to enable users to begin a process of strategic thinking necessary to compete effectively in this era of increasing globalization. Solutions to identified weaknesses may be arrived at internally by you or you may turn to private sector advisors for assistance.

To review the contents of any one module including its diagnostic will take time, perhaps 30 minutes or more. A dedicated approach to completing all of the modules will likely involve several hours of your time. You might consider printing the material from a module and reviewing it at your convenience offline. Once completed, you can return online to complete the diagnostic and review the analysis provided in response to your input. The Strategic Planning module does not provide a diagnostic but allows users to download planning forms.