Start It!

"It is not enough to do your best; you must know what to do, and THEN do your best."
- W. Edwards Deming

Checklist for New Businesses

There are many things to consider when you start a business. The following checklist is designed to help you plan your new venture.

Are You An Entrepreneur?

Before you do anything, find out what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

Your Business or Their Business?

Should you start your own business, buy an existing one or consider a franchise? Each method has it's pros and cons.

• Buying a Business
• Franchise Guide

Set It Up

Are you going to structure your business as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, cooperative, or non-profit organization? If you incorporate, will you do it on the federal or provincial level? Find out more about each type of business organization as well as where to obtain and file the necessary paperwork.

"What's that place again?"

You want your clients to remember you. Find out why the name you choose for your business and where you locate it are so important.

• Naming Your Business
• Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Lease
• Signs and Your Business
• Store Location - "Little Things" Mean a Lot

Your Business Plan

The business plan...you may not get financing without one, and it's a useful tool when charting the growth of your business. Find out more about it and how to create one.

• Business Plan Guide
• Business Plan for Small Construction Firms
• Business Plan for Small Manufacturers
• Business Plan for Retailers
• Business Plan for Small Service Firms

Profits

• Merchandise for Profit
• Profit by Your Wholesaler's Services
• Profit Pricing for a Manufacturer
• Profit Pricing for the Costing of a Service
• Selling Products on Consignment
• Setting the Right Price

Business Loans

Find out what lenders are looking for and what's currently available on our Financing page.

Taxation

Taxation can affect how you structure your business, where you locate it and your budget plans. Find out more about Manitoba's Provincial Sales Tax (PST), the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) and other taxes which may be applicable to your business on our Taxation page.

Licenses/Permits

Does your business require any licenses or permits?

For businesses located in Winnipeg, visit the City of Winnipeg website for for business licencing requirements.

Our publication Starting a Small Business in Manitoba: A Guide to the Basic Legal Requirements (PDF file) contains a listing of these as well as who to contact. (Note: this publication is in Adobe Acrobat format. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download a free copy from the Adobe web site.)

BizPaL is an online service that provides businesses with one-stop access to permit and licence information for all levels of government. In Manitoba, we currently have information for Morden and Winkler online. Additional locations throughout the province will be active in the near future.

Employees

• Human Resources - Hiring Employees and Related Regulations
• Setting Up a Pay System

Advertising/Marketing

Customers won't buy what you're selling if they don't know you're there. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, know what you need to do and how to accomplish it.

• Advertising Do's and Don'ts
• Advertising Guidelines for Small Retailer Firms
• Competition Act - Misleading Advertising and Deceptive Marketing Practices
• Do You Know the Results of Your Advertising
• Guidelines for Developing a Company Brochure
• Guide to Market Research and Analysis
• How to Have a Positive Image
• Market Analysis
• Marketing Checklist for Small Retailers
• Marketing - Conducting Market Research and Developing a Strategy
• Marketing Plan Outline
• Plan Your Advertising Budget
• Ways to Promote Your Product or Service

e-Business

Do you need a website? Will it simplify your business or make it more complicated? Find out more about incorporating technology into your business.

• Security and the Internet
• Essential E-Business Partners
• Business-to-Business: E-Commerce Basics
• Distribution and Fulfillment Strategies
• E-Business Basics
• E-Business Planning: Integrating the “E” into Your Business Plan
• Integrating E-Business Into Your Small Business
• Building an Effective Website
• Internet Marketing
• Internet Payment Processing
• From Web Presence to e-Commerce: An Introduction to Selling Online
• Internet Auctions
• Internet Privacy
• Online Legal Issues
• E-Exporting

Other things to consider...

Banking

From business accounts, credit and what you need to accept debit and credit card payments for your goods and services...find out what banking services are right for you.

Insurance

Protect yourself and your business - investigate insurance coverage for business premises/home (fire, theft), vehicle, liability, business interruption or loss-of-income, disability, and partnership.

Intellectual Property

Your intellectual property (IP) is one of your most valuable business assets. When used strategically in your business, it can increase your competitiveness and allow you to reap numerous benefits.

Office Equipment

Business phones, answering machines, internet connections…what do you need to operate your business?

Professional Services

Lawyer…accountant…do you need one? Find out more about Selecting Professional Services.

Promotional Material

Business cards, stationary, brochures…are they a good investment? See:

• Guidelines for Developing a Company Brochure
• Ways to Promote Your Product or Service