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 […]

Happy Holidays and setting business goals for 2020

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!! SETTING BUSINESS GOALS FOR 2020: A WORKSHEET LOOKING BACK: Typically this time of year lends itself to a ‘winding down’ period as businesses and individuals turn their focus to ‘wrapping’ things up for the year (gifts AS WELL AS…outstanding business commitments); it is a […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]