Small Business Week, BDC

For over 30 years BDC has organized Small Business Week® to pay tribute to Canadian entrepreneurs, creating opportunities for them to:

• Share success stories
• Talk to leading business experts
• Exchange innovative ideas
• Participate in events held across Canada

In 2011, Small Business Week will take place Oct. 16 – 22.

Theme
Power Up Your Business. Invest. Innovate. Grow.
To win, ambitious entrepreneurs know innovation must be at the heart of their business strategy. Their edge comes from discovering their customers’ needs and acting to meet them with exciting new products and services.


The theme of Small Business Week 2011 is a call to action for today’s entrepreneurs. It’s time to attack challenges with renewed decisiveness, market awareness and creativity. And it’s time to invest in the new technology your team needs to get the job done.


At this year’s Small Business Week, you’ve got the power!  Visit the official website at http://www.bdc.ca/en/sbw/pages/home.html

Paro Video Conference Workshops

October 12       8:30-9:30         The Power Within – Inner Strength

October 12       10:00-11:00      Getting the Money – Action Planning for Success

October 12       11:15-12:15       Getting the Money – Using Blogging to Increase Your Business

October 19       8:30-9:30         Expect the Unexpected – Adjust to Change!

October 19       10:00-11:00      Getting the Money – Developing Your Marketing and Advertising Strategy

October 19       11:15-12:15       Brainstorming for Success

October 26      8:30-9:30         Recipe for Success!  What Makes a Blue Ribbon Winner

October 26      10:00-11:00      Getting the Money – Industry & Target Market Research

October 26      11:15-12:15       Getting the Money – Sales Strategies for Small Business

For more information or to register for PARO workshops, please call Contact North at 274-3988.

Upcoming Events ~ Sign Up Today!

RRFDC Video Conference Workshops ($5 each):

October 11       1:00-4:00         CRA – Electronic Services for Business Seminar

October 17       10:00-12:00      Marketing Part 1 | Marketing Basics

October 17       12:00-2:00       Marketing Part 2 | Marketing Research

October 18       10:00-12:00     Marketing Part 3 | Advertising & Promotion

October 18       12:00-2:00       Marketing Part 4 | Developing a Marketing Plan

October 18       3:00-5:00         Profit from your Kitchen Creation

October 19       1:00-4:00         Web Crit: Panel on the Critique of Small Business Websites

October 20      1:00-3:00         Common Business Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

October 25      1:00-3:00         Business Opportunities & Ideas – Choosing the Right One!

October 27      1:00-4:30         CBSA Customs Workshop

RRFDC Live Workshops (FREE):

October 19       10:00-11:30      How to Start a Small Business Seminar – Trainer: Angela Halvorsen

For more information or to register for RRFDC workshops, please call 274-3276.

2011 Customer Service Challenge Top Ten Winners (Photos)

Back in May, at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce Annual Deck Party at La Place Rendezvous the RRFDC announced their Top Ten Customer Service Challenge Champions and 5 Honourable Mentions for 2011.
This year’s challenge, which was held online via a ballot form, saw around 250 voters selecting their choice of 3 businesses who they felt deserved their votes for great customer service.  
The RRFDC then compiled a list of Top Ten from the 28 participating business, and also gave out 5 Honourable Mention Certificates.  

1. Fort Frances Enhanced Hearing Centre
2. Brockies Jewellers
3. Celeste's
4. Northwoods Gallery & Gifts
5. Pharmasave

The Top Ten awarded with a 2011 Customer Service Champion plaque were:

CLOVERLEAF FAMILY FOODS

FORT FRANCES GENERAL SUPPLY

FORT FRANCES TIMES LTD.

LA PLACE RENDEZVOUS

MADDY'S LITTLE STORE

WEST END MOTORS (FF)

MCTAGGARTS

SIMPLICITY PROFESSIONAL HAIR & BODY CARE

SUPER 8 MOTEL

FORT FRANCES WEB DESIGN

October Workshops

11            1:00 – 4:00            Electronic Services for Business Seminar

12            1:00 – 2:00            Selling Your Product or Service to the Gov’t of Canada

17            10:00 – 12:00         Marketing Part 1 | Marketing Basics

17            12:00 – 2:00           Marketing Part 2 | Marketing Research

18            10:00 – 12:00         Marketing Part 3 | Advertising & Promotion

18            12:00 – 2:00          Marketing Part 4 | Develop a Marketing Plan

18            3:00 – 5:00            Profit from your Kitchen Creation

18            5:30 – 8:30            Small Business Tax Information Workshop

19            1:00 – 4:00            Web Crit: Critique of Small Business Websites

20            1:00 – 3:00            Common Business Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

21            1:00 – 3:00            Canadian SMEs Going Global: Challenges & Opportunities

25            1:00 – 3:00            Business Opportunities & Ideas – Choosing the Right One!

27            1:00 – 4:30            CBSA Customs Workshop

Vendor Blender

Ever wondered what these products were like?

Want to browse & shop without having a “home party”?

Come and check out the

Vendor Blender

Fri. Oct. 7th 3pm-8pm
& Sat. Oct. 8th 10am-4pm

At The Volunteer Bureau (the old CN Station)

FREE ADMISSION ~ FREE DRAWS

~ Vendors Include ~

* Passion Parties * Arbonne * Scentsy *

* Body by Vi * Vape Mate * Norwex * Epicure *

* Tupperware * Lia Sophia * Eclectic Charm *

* Pampered Chef * snicklefritz custom tshirts *

* Butterfly Creations * Sassy Creations *

For more information please contact Jody Maguire at jomamag@hotmail.com.