Fact Sheets by Topic

Thinking of Starting a Business? Are you ready?

Business Planning & Starting-Up

• Business Plan for Retailers
  This fact sheet is designed to help an owner-manager work up a sound business plan.
  
  
• Business Plan for Small Construction Firms
  This fact sheet is designed to help an owner-manager or prospective owner-manager of a small construction firm in drawing up a business plan.
  
  
• Business Plan for Small Manufacturers
  This fact sheet is designed to help an owner-manager or prospective owner-manager of a small manufacturing firm in drawing up a business plan.
  
  
• Business Plan for Small Service Firms
  This fact sheet is designed to help an owner-manager or prospective owner-manager of a small service firm in drawing up a business plan.
  
  
• Business Plan Guide
  This fact sheet is intended to assist an entrepreneur in writing a business plan for the establishment, the purchase or the expansion of an existing business.
  
  
• Business Start-Up Assistant (BSA)
  A Web gateway to all the information you need to start a business in Canada.
  
  
• Buying a Business
  This fact sheet describes the pros and cons of buying a business and gives a list of questions to help you make an informed decision.
  
  
• Can You Make Money With Your Idea or Invention
  This fact sheet, aimed at idea people, inventors, and innovative owner-managers of small companies, describes the tests every idea must pass before it makes money.
  
  
• Checklists for Franchisees
  This fact sheet offers a checklist of questions to assist you in making a decision about acquiring a franchise.
  
  
• Checklists for Going Into Business
  This fact sheet offers some questions to help you think through what you need to know and do before you go into business.
  
  
• Dealing With Your Banker & Other Lenders
  This fact sheet offers suggestions on how to develop good relationships with your banker and other lenders.
  
  
• Feasibility Checklist for Starting a Small Business
  This fact sheet is a checklist for the owner-manager of a small business enterprise or for one contemplating going into business for the first time.
  
  
• Forms of Business Organization
  This fact sheet provides a brief description of the four types of businesses and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
  
  
• Interactive Business Planner (IBP)
  The Interactive Business Planner (IBP) is a computer software program that uses the capabilities of the Internet to assist you in preparing a 3 year business plan for a new or existing business.
  
  
• Legal Issues in Starting a Business
  This fact sheet deals with legal issues in starting a business.
  
  
• Naming Your Business
  This fact sheet gives a list of items to consider when naming your business.
  
  
• Online Small Business Workshop - OSBW
  The Online Small Business Workshop (OSBW) is a Web-based workshop designed to provide you with techniques for developing your business idea, starting a new venture and improving your existing small business.
  
  
• Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Lease
  This factsheet lists ten points to help those unfamiliar with commercial leases.
  
  
• Selecting Professional Services
  This fact sheet describes how professional services can contribute to the success of a small business.
  
  
• Starting an Alternative and Complementary Health Care Business
  General information for potential entrepreneurs wishing to start an alternative and complementary health care business. Contains various useful Web links.
  
  
• Starting a Beauty Salon/Barber Shop/Esthetics/Tanning
  General information for potential entrepreneurs wishing to start a beauty, esthetics or tanning salon, or a barber shop. Contains various useful Web links.
  
  
• Starting a Bed and Breakfast
  General information for potential entrepreneurs wishing to start a Bed and Breakfast. Contains various useful Web links.
  
  
• Starting a Consulting Business
  General information for potential entrepreneurs wishing to start a consulting business. Contains various useful links.
  
  
• Starting a Convenience Store
  General information for potential entrepreneurs wishing to start a convenience store. Contains various useful Web links.
  
  
• Starting an Early Childhood Centre
  General information for potential entrepreneurs wishing to start an early childhood centre. Contains various useful Web links.
  
  
• Starting a Personal Care Home for Seniors
  General information for potential entrepreneurs wishing to start a Personal Care Home for Seniors. Contains various useful Web links.
  
  
• Starting a Restaurant
  General information for potential entrepreneurs wishing to start a restaurant. Contains various useful Web links.
  
  
• Store Location - "Little Things" Mean a Lot
  This fact sheet takes up site selection criteria and offers questions the retailer must ask before making the choice of store location.
  
  
• Venture Checklists
  This fact sheet offers checklists to assist you in assessing each point against your business plan.
  
  
• Young Entrepreneurs Info-Guide
  This Info-Guide is designed to help young entrepreneurs navigate through the different government programs, services and regulations.
  
  

Financial Planning

Human Resources

Market Development

Marketing

Product Development

Home-Based Business

General Management

Cooperatives

E-business