Off the Ground Blog
Focus on...Small Business Week 2017
As the days get shorter, we celebrate Small Business Week 2017 with our partners at David Lam Library at UBC. Business Librarian Irena Trebic has picked a list of business books that can help guide you, whatever stage your business is in. Business Start-up in the Digital Age by Learn2succeed.com Inc
Top Growth Industries in BC [Infographic]
Growth is happening in British Columbia, but where? This infographic covers the top 5 growing industries based on the British Columbia Small Business Profile 2016 Click the image below to see a larger version.
Help UBC Library support your venture!
Call for British Columbia participants in UBC Library entrepreneurship research habits and information needs study!
The Sharing Economy
Taking an Uber home from a night on the town, booking a cutesy cottage on Airbnb, and even signing up for some freelance tasks on Upwork. What do these three things have in common? These increasingly popular actions are all ways to participate in the growing economic model known as the sharing economy. What is a Sharing Economy? According to Entrepreneur.com, a sharing economy is an economic model that “connects individuals who need a particular product or service with other individuals who have or can render that particular product or service”.
Industry Overview: Tourism
The tourism industry in Canada is growing, and British Columbia is no exception. 2016 saw an increase of 12.3% in international visitors and tourism is now one of BC’s leading business sectors (DestinationBC, 2017). Local tourist treasures have also been winning accolades including:
The Best of #SBALibrary 2017
Our #SBAlibrary summer reading challenge was a great opportunity to delve into the world of business reading. With help from community members and organizations, we featured books that help entrepreneurs keep up with trends, build important skills, and be inspired by innovation. As we wrap up #SBAlibrary for the year, we want to take an opportunity to spotlight some of the most outstanding business reads that we featured this summer.
Industry Overview: Video Production
Lights, camera, action! Video production involves the capture of moving images on various forms of electronic media. The video production industry has made headlines in British Columbia as the province is in the midst of a boom. We decided that now is an ideal time to spotlight the SBA’s resources for video production businesses.
Becoming a Better Manager
It's no secret that business owners need many different skills to succeed: they're responsible for everything from making strategic decisions to making sure the water bill is paid on time. But amid the daily bustle, one important skill is at risk of being overlooked: management.
Industry Overview: Graphic Design
Graphic design involves using both graphics and text to convey a concept or idea. The graphic design industry includes many activities, including corporate identity/branding, advertising, print production, and web design. Graphic designers create logos, posters, newsletters, brochures, signs, and other forms of visual communication. The graphic design industry in Canada is slated to grow as high-quality graphic design services will become increasingly integral for companies seeking to develop brand awareness.
Emotional Labour and Your Business
Have you ever had to show confidence when you felt fear or express enthusiasm when you felt anxious? Maybe you’ve used a smile or a calm tone of voice to put someone else at ease. If so, you have performed emotional labour, and you’re not alone.