2006 Workshop Schedule

The 2006 Schedule of Workshops is complete and will be posted very shortly on our website. We are offering some exciting additions to our roster this year, not the least of which are several new series.

Starting Feb 3^rd - Join us for a brand new 4 part series on Writing a Business Plan. If you are struggling with the process of putting your business plan together, this interactive series may be for you.

Sunday March 25^th - We launch a new 30 hour small business training program - DMH Entrepreneurial Edge, an affordable, detailed and easy to understand program with an in-depth focus and diverse curriculum that covers and encompasses business building and development in addition to business set-up and operation topics. Regular fee only $425. Save $75 with our early registration discount until March 1^st!

For a sneak peek at our full line of Workshops, see our Upcoming Events section below.

Youth Programs Return

If you know someone who may be interested in our young entrepreneurship programs such as Summer Company (full time students 15 - 29) www.ontariocanada.com, Business Plan Competition 2006 (highschool students), or the Canadian Youth Business Foundation loan and mentoring program (entrepreneurs 18-34 starting a new, fulltime business) www.cybf.ca, please have them contact us at 720-2445.

Sponsorship Opportunities now available!

Terri Plaxton Smith, GBBEC business advisor

It really is about "Who You Know"

For most of my adult life I have been an entrepreneur. Like most of you, I have also had to wear all the hats that go along with business ownership including operations management, financial responsibility, marketing and sales.

Although all business enterprises involve "selling", one thing I know for certain is that, not all selling is the same. Business-to-business sales are very different from business-to-consumer sales and selling products is not the same as selling services. The common thread, however, is the relationship building that occurs when selling is done properly. Having been involved in all of those types of various sales scenarios over the years, I have had the privilege of building relationships with a lot of people and businesses - hundreds, perhaps even thousands.

This past month I was amused to see just how reaching the connections from those relationships can extend. In a recent attempt to get some simple justice and warranty on a pair of broken glasses, I encountered "Store Policy"... I would be required to pay half the cost of new replacement frames. No matter that I had spent almost $700 only a few months ago on 'top of the line' products. No matter that there was no evidence of abuse or misuse on my part, but rather that the frames appeared to be broken at a weakened joint on the bridge. No matter that I was a customer who expressed my disappointment, frustration and intent to never buy another pair of new glasses from them again.

I watched the manager fill out the order and I handed him my business card to attach to it and my credit card. As he passed the information to a sales checkout clerk, I looked up to see a familiar face. The clerk had once been a client of mine, had once had a business of his own. Recognizing my name on the card, he looked at me and smiled. "I heard you were working at the Greater Barrie Business Enterprise Centre now," he said. "I get your newsletter every month."

"It goes out to hundreds of local businesses," I said loud enough to be heard by many of the patrons and the manager.

No matter that I had already succumbed to the "Store Policy" decision ... the manager had a sudden change of heart. "This time," they would waive the fees he informed me.

So thank you, dear readers, because you are the "Who I Know" that empower me. You matter! There really is strength in numbers, and I hope you all count me in when you are counting the relationships that are empowering you too!

Terri Plaxton Smith, GBBEC business advisor

This four-session workshop is intended for those who are preparing to write a business plan. The purpose of a business plan will be discussed and the key components will be examined. Participants will also be given strategies to help complete their plan and ideas for financing will be shared. Upon completion of this course, the participant will have the ability to: Understand business plans and their intended use through a structured and supportive learning environment - comprehend the key components that make up a business plan - set clear goals with questions answered, guidance provided and the opportunity to network with others - apply the information gained via resource materials and handouts to complete their own business plan. Presented by: Jim (James) McLeod.

The "Time Management Works" is very simple yet complex because it requires discipline and structure. In this workshop you will be able to learn some of the skill sets required. The workshop covers: How much does your time cost? - Seeing how you really spend your time - Action plan (small scale planning) - Keys to efficiency - Planning the best use of your time/effective scheduling. Presented by: Brian M. Chuipka.

Do you have "good intentions", but lack "drive"? Are you "stuck" with a load of "good ideas"? Have you "lost your map"? Stop spinning your wheels? Get your year in gear? Create a realistic 1-year plan for your next year in business. Join us for a full month of workshops, coaching and support to get your next year in business in gear now! Presented by: Stephen Brydson .

Thursday Feb 16, 2005 5 - 7 P.M.

ALWAYS the 3rd Thursday of each month. Everyone welcome.

Guest speaker Walter Dean.

NO CHARGE.
Join us for networking, referrals, snacks, good advice and great inspiration. As always, we have an interesting guest speaker and business coach Stephen Brydson helps us think outside the box and gets us moving forward for business success. Please arrive promptly. Meetings are structured.

The Greater Barrie Business Enterprise Centre is located at 24 Maple Ave., above the bus depot.

For Information please call (705) 720-2445 or email info@barriebusinesscentre.ca

Upcoming Seminars

Inquiring Minds Want to Know! Do you? Would you like to learn how to receive a tax-free retirement income? Would you like more money in your pocket and less in the governments? Would you like to know how the wealthy, legally tax shelter their assets? Presented by: Diane Rusk. diane@dianerusk.com or call 705-721-7781 Ext. 233

Learn to connect with your audience through personal stories. Learn to present them with power and panache: ·Show and Tell · Stage Strategy · The Power of Silence, and more. Presented by: Marilyn Williamson. Call Malka at 705-719-9047 marilyn@sayitwithstyle.ca

Four-part Workshop. Presented by: Marilyn Williamson. Call Malka at 705-719-9047 marilyn@sayitwithstyle.ca

First Aid & CPR Course

Dates as follows:

• Mar 8 & 9 - 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• May 3 & 4 - 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• July 5 & 6 - 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

To register or for more information contact:

Shyamala Nathan-Turner
F.A.S.T. Rescue Inc.
Phone: (905) 751-0149
Toll Free: (866) 706-7283
Fax: (905) 751-0655
Email: snturner@fast-rescue.com
www.fast-rescue.com

RED DOOR Gala

The First Annual RED DOOR Gala for Gilda’s Club Barrie Ontario is set to take place at the Gryphon Theatre at Georgian College in Barrie on Saturday February 11, 2006.

The fundraising event to be hosted by local author, humourist Jim Foster, will feature an exceptional night of entertainment, tasty hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction.

The Gala will feature performances by Amy Sky, Bravado!, well-known folk singer/songwriter Katherine Wheatley, Wendell Ferguson – 6-time winner of Canadian Guitar Player award, harpist Debi MacKay, the Ontario Fire Service Pipes and Drums Band, and dancers with Jenn Low's School of Highland Dance Bracebridge. Special appearance by Ms. Canada Tracey Guthrie. Members of the Barrie Police Services will serve as escorts.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. the show will start at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $50.00 or four for $180.00.

Tickets can be purchased through the Gilda's Office by contacting Dawn at 726-5199

The Eureka Project

Project Objectives

The primary objective of [The Eureka Project] is to measure the effectiveness of a simple, innovative new twist on storefront advertising - designed to repeatedly capture the attention and imagination of the thousands of consumers who pass by small, independent retail or place-based service businesses every day…without ever stopping in!

Over the course of the month-long study period, we intend to employ a "burst strategy" - in this case, a concentrated series of frequently changing commercial messages... focused on getting "passers-by" in the habit of looking at the business in question's signage. Campaign strategy and content will be developed in close consultation between [The Eureka Project] students, FASTSIGNS of Barrie, the small business selected for the project and Barrie-based marketing strategist, Jon Aston, of MARKETING PARTNERS.

The project team anticipates that the campaign will deliver measurable increases to a broader awareness of the subject business, and will lead to an increased volume of planned and unplanned "stop and shop" store visits. Business owners/managers interested in participation in this exciting research - and in gaining the benefit of thousands of dollars worth of free advertising and professional services - will have the opportunity to submit a fast and painless application online. The web address is expected to be announced within the next few days.

The thinking behind the project: Helping Small Business Compete

According to an array of retail/consumer research, as much as 70-85% of purchase decisions are made instore, on impulse: heavily influenced by packaging design, product placement, point-of-purchase advertising, and the like. As consumers, we've undoubtedly all experienced this phenomenon first-hand, often without giving it second thought. However - at risk of stating the obvious - a company's ability to leverage sales from the clearly impulsive nature of consumers is wholly dependent on first "luring" prospective buyers into the store. Here, the small, independent retail, or place-based service business is at a decided competitive disadvantage to large retail competitors - because small business simply doesn't have the necessary "economies of scale" to mount all-out, in-home and out-of-home mass media campaigns.

In conclusion

We believe that the small, independent retail or place-based service business can successfully leverage the combined strengths of outdoor advertising, place-based media and on-premise signage into more store traffic (and more business) and we're looking for the right business to help us prove it. Interested? Contact us for more information.

Anuraj S. Bajwa | Tel (705) 719 9314 | anuraj_bajwa@yahoo.ca
Brad Kipfer | Tel (647)-436-6662 | bakipfer@hotmail.com

Who said selfishness was a bad thing?

Okay, here it is - putting yourself first is not a selfish thing to do. Really! Now, if putting yourself first is the only thing you do, that's different. What I mean is, you have to meet your needs in order to be in a position to help others meet theirs.

Why do I say this? Well first off, I didn't think of it, a guy named Abraham Malsow did - and he was a pretty smart guy. He developed a theory of human behaviour based on needs. Basically he said that humans have to fulfill certain needs before they can become "self-actualized". In other words, we have to take care of ourselves before we can 'be all we can be' and help others or 'save the world'.

This makes sense - as Maslow 's theory goes. Without getting into the heavy theory, he said that first, we must meet our physiological needs - we can't be an Olympic athlete if we don't have air, food and water. Second, we must meet our safety needs - we need shelter, protection and order. These first two levels are obvious - they are survival based - if we don't survive, it's pretty hard to be all we can be.

The next two levels are where we spend most of our life - the belonging needs and the esteem needs. Once we are safe, we start to look for love, relationships and a sense of community. Then, we pursue the appreciation, recognition and attention of other people - the esteem needs - like status, fame or glory. And finally we pursue the higher form of esteem needs - this being self esteem. We strive for self-confidence, personal achievement, independence and freedom. Then and only then does Maslow say we can become self-actualized - if our needs are met, we are equipped to help others.

So, if you use this theory as a frame of reference for your life - or your business - are you spending enough time putting yourself first? Are you aware of your current 'needs'? Are you honest enough with yourself to accept these needs?

Are you racing home, yelling at the kids, kicking the dog, doing this and doing that - then slumping on the couch later that evening complaining that you have 'no time'. This frustration comes from the fact that at some level, you know there are some personal needs that are not getting met. How much easier would the evening be if you left early, stopped at the gym or the library or wherever and took care of something you needed? Then you could get home, help the kids with their homework, play with the dog, do a little of this and a little of that - and be relaxed about it all. Which scenario would you prefer?

The reason for the push in this article is to make you think about why you may be frustrated with some lack of progress in your life - in you 'mission' or your business. Maybe you just need to take care of a few personal things and you will be revitalized and ready to really make it happen.

Remember that we will always strive to fulfill our needs first, then our higher purpose. So, if there are some things that you are lacking - some things you need (and by the way, it's okay to need them) - then put yourself first for awhile, take care of them and then tackle the self-actualization level.

Now, if you 'get this' and want a challenge, think of a need you have been neglecting. Do something about it this month, then e-mail me and tell me how it helped in other areas.

Well, I must go - I'm dropping back down to level 1 - I need a snack - darn physiological needs ...

Have a great month!

Stephen Brydson , Outlook Life Coaching www.outlooklifecoaching.com www.stephenbrydson.com thecoach@outlooklifecoaching.com

Tender Loving Cleaning Services

We'd like to provide our clients the opportunity to enjoy their family, friends and personal time. Workdays are too long and weekends too short. We give homes the love and attention that the home owner would if they had the time and energy. We offer weekly, bi-weekly or monthly cleaning visits using the client's products or will supply our own. Have the flexibility of making your own priority list, which you can change as often as you'd like, to include special projects. Tender Loving Cleaning Services also offers one time cleaning : pre party , post party, pre Christmas.

Gift certificates available upon request.

Patricia Masney
734-3991

Do you have something to say that we could all benefit from? If you would like to share your tips, advice, or expertise with our clients by contributing to this newsletter, please send an email to newsletter@barriebusinesscentre.ca by 4 P.M. Thursdays, the last week of each month. Inclusion will be at the sole discretion of the GBBEC, dependent on suitability, space availability and the number of contributions received. This is not an advertorial or advertising spot, but rather an opportunity to share valuable words of wisdom or announce your upcoming events. Of course you will be given credit for the submission with a link to your website if available. We reserve the right to include your submissions in subsequent newsletters in addition to or instead of inclusion in the following week's issue.

• One-on-one consultations
• Seminars/Workshops
• Networking Nights
• Seminar and Board Room Rentals (ASK ABOUT OUR GREAT RATES!)
• Access to a computer workstation with internet access
• Start up information
• Assistance with writing a business plan or marketing plan
• OTHER ... Tell us what you need .. if we can't provide it, we will endeavour to find out who can!

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See you at the Centre!

• Ontario Business Service Centres Via Canada Business Service Centers.
• Ontario Business Connects Registration, renewal & reporting processes for Ontario businesses.
• Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
• Ontario Women's Directorate The OWD works with business leaders and community organizations to encourage and support female entrepreneurship.
• Personal Tax Planning Introduction to tax planning by Certified General Accountants (CGAs) of Ontario. This online booklet, available in PDF format as well as HTML pages, helps readers to minimize or defer income taxes payable.
• Planning for Tomorrow Achieving Personal Goals. A PDF booklet. Publications Ontario Office Government forms, copies of law, etc., 880 Bay St, 416-326-5300, 1-800-668-9938.
• Resource Guide for Business Immigrants to Ontario This PDF formatted booklet, co-authored by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, offers essential information to those immigrating to Ontario for business purposes. Tools include: settlement information, government assistance programs and services, taxation, and import/export assistance.
• The City of Barrie Gives you the information you need to learn about your local municipal and Ontario government.

• Canada Business Service Centres A cooperative arrangement among federal business departments, provincial, territorial governments that serves as a gateway to government information for business. Online assistance and business guides outline programs, services, small business start-up help and various workshops.
• Canada's Community Access Program Featuring: Online Govt programs for schools, libraries, volunteer organizations, etc. Ministers speeches, new releases, stories from successful online communities. Goal: To make Canadians the most Internet-connected people in the world.
• Canada Franchise Directory Profiles some of the hottest franchise opportunities available today in Canada.
• GDSourcing Research & Retrieval Directory of Statistics Canada data. The basics of conducting market research.
• Industry Canada's Business and Consumer Site Featuring: Guides for starting & expanding a business. Information for consumers, businesses, investors, job seekers, research, etc. Goal: Help Canadians build a growing competitive, knowledge-based economy.
• Standards Council of Canada
• Statistics Canada