Off the Ground Blog
SBA Events for Small Business Month 2011
Has it been a year already? In just a few days Small Business Month (also known as October) will be upon us once again. This year, SBA will be out hosting and participating in a number of major events. Here's a rundown of where (and how) you can connect with our program.
Out Now: BIV's 2011 Book of Lists
If you're already an avid reader of Business in Vancouver (BIV) Magazine you've probably seen previous editions of their annual Book of Lists. The 2011 edition is out now, and worth checking out if you're looking to get the scoop on the biggest players across industries in BC.
Who is visiting the SBA (and why)?
Over the past two months we've run a poll asking who our visitors are - asking them to pick a 'user category' that best describes their interest in the site. The results show that (as expected) the Small Business Accelerator (SBA) is visited by many different users with many unique information needs.
Twitter for Small Business - Cheat Sheet
Interested in growing your business through social media, but not sure where to start? For business owners new to Twitter, micro messaging, and social media networking, we've put together this introductory guide to help get you started.
Be There! Small Business Events in BC
If you run (or aspire to own) your own business, you've probably by now discovered the value of face-to-face networking and in-depth information made available through small business seminars, conferences, meet-ups and other events. If not, here's a quick briefing. To help you identify, plan for and attend small business events happening in and around BC (and Canada) here are a few key pointers and event directories you might want to take note of:
Small / Medium / Large (Industry Share in Canada/US)
Big business or small business? A new Statistics Canada study takes a look at the Small/Medium size business contributions to Canadian GDP for each sector.
Getting to Yes (Books for Small Business)
With the re-release in paperback of the classic negotiating tactics guide Getting to Yes, we present a quick refresher on why this book is a must-read for business owners (big or small) for dealing with employees, partners, customers or vendors.
Start-up Idea Generation
For would-be entrepreneurs who have the desire to start a business of their own, but still haven't found the perfect business concept, here are a few ways - and websites - to help with the brainstorming process.
Global Business Resources from Consulting Firms
If your business interacts with non-Canadian markets, an up-to-date and accurate information source about host countries is a valuable resource. UHY 'Doing Business Guides' are a quick and easy way to learn about business in countries around the world.
Hot Industries for Starting a Business in 2011
Every year Inc. Magazine releases its list of the top industries for startup businesses. The list for 2011 has come out, and you might be surprised to learn what's big for 2011.