Value of seeking experienced mentors
Small Business and the 21st Century ……. business Face to Face Value of seeking experienced mentors There is an incredible paradox about the small business environment looking into 2020. In the past 20 years or so, much of the personal contact a business owner had with customers, suppliers or other businesses, has moved from ‘face to […]
Tax Time
Important 2019 Tax Reporting Deadlines for Business Owners March 2/20 RRSP Deadline for 2019 taxation year. If you have employees contributing to a Group RRSP Plan any contributions made in the first 60 days of 2020 must be reported as such. (This allows the employee to choose which year he/she would like to apply the deduction). […]
Common issues that plague businesses
WHAT ARE COMMON ISSUES FACING SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS…? What do small business owners have to say are the hardest areas of being an owner-entrepreneur? The number of hours that has to be put in, to get the business moving forward [especially on start-up]. ‘Working in the business and on the business.’ Not having time to […]
Making a difference
On the 9th of October, I had the privilege of addressing a group of some 20 immigrant business startups. This event, like so many others held for newcomers to Canada, was held by ‘Job Skills’, Markham. ‘Job Skills’ coaches, prepares and connects newcomers to job and business opportunities I acknowledge, with thanks, that this two […]
The Benefits of an Advisory Board
Are you making the right decisions for your business? Are you on the most profitable path? What are your best options for success? What are your negative choices? Being in business can be lonely and exhausting. This is where a board of advisers not only becomes helpful but may be an essential part of the […]
Return on Marketing and Advertising
Return on Marketing and Advertising In this tough competitive time and media saturated marketplace coupled with savvy consumers, companies are looking at ways to maximize the return on their advertising dollar. In recent newsletters, we discussed percentage of budget to be spent on advertising as well as where to advertise. So you have decided on […]
The 3 C’s of Opportunity
The 3 C’s of Opportunity in Business It is easy to visualize your passion as being a huge asset to your business. In many instances it is. However, it is essential that you realize your passion has to correlate with market needs. So many business fail to do this and end up disillusioned that being a ‘genius’ […]
What is SWOT Analysis?
SWOT ANALYSIS: ANALYZING YOUR BUSINESS – July 2019 ASE Newsletter What is a SWOT Analysis? SWOT is a simple strategic planning technique that can help you identify what your business is doing well, what it needs to improve upon, where it needs to grow, and what could be its undoing. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, […]
Employee engagement strategy – The fierce conversation
An Employee Engagement Strategy: The Fierce Conversation – ASE June 2019 Newsletter The following is a tried and true format in dealing with a difficult employee situation. The strategy, developed by Susan Scott author of ‘Fierce Conversations’, is to maintain a good employer/employee relationship [or any relationship for that matter] and is based on an […]
MANAGING YOUR COMPANY’S GROSS MARGIN – ASE April 2019 Newsletter
PRICING MANAGEMENT Managing your company’s pricing process is vital to the success of your business. Declining gross margins generally indicate pricing problems and may lead to the ultimate failure of your company. The success of any business depends on several key factors including achieving consistent gross margin targets. How gross margin is adversely impacted by […]