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Training & Skills Development
Roadmap for Success
Why does the idea of writing a business plan seem daunting and confusing? Why do you need one - especially if your business is going to start small and grow later? This workshop answers these questions and provides an introduction on how to develop a business plan. Cost: $45
Edmonton:
July 14, 2009, 9 am-12 pm or
August 25, 2009, 1-4 pm
Calgary:
July 23, 2009, 9 am-12 pm
or August 12, 2009, 9 am-12 pm
More info or to register.
Information Sessions Interested to learn more about AWE Services? Join us by teleconference on:
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Around Alberta
Showcase of Women in Business
November 17, 2009
5pm-9pm
Lethbridge Lodge Hotel
Women in business gather to celebrate their successes, and share their expertise and talents. Open to the public, this event draws people from throughout Southern Alberta. Early Bird exhibitor deadline discount ends on June 30.
Find out more and register. |
| Last Chance to Nominate or Apply
RBC Women Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
Nomination deadline: June 29, 2009
There are a variety of categories which include The Deloitte Start-Up Award, The HKMB Hub Impact Award, The RBC Momentum Award, The Bell Trailblazer Award, The PROFIT Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship. Our CEO Tracey Scarlett will be a judge.
To find out more visit www.theawards.ca
BDC's 2009 Young Entrepreneur Awards (YEA)
Nomination deadline: June 24, 2009
The YEA pay tribute to outstanding Canadian young entrepreneurs who have distinguished themselves not only by their success in business, but also by their creativity, innovative spirit and community involvement.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from BDC's Web site at www.bdc.ca/yea or call 1 888 INFO BDC (1 888 463-6232).
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Did you know?
§ Most of AWE's clients are women between ages 35 and 54, well educated, and currently operating business.
§ The majority of clients (74%) who say that the development of their business would not have occurred in the absence of AWE support.
§ Evidently, an estimated 55% of current revenues in these businesses are also attributed to the services provided by AWE. |
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Ask An Expert
Part 1 of our 3 part series on 'Innovative Approaches to Business' is on international trade. Stay tuned for part 2 on exporting in next month's e-news.
One of the most popular questions Lisa Cadiuex, a business advisor at AWE, comes across is, "How can I import products and where do I start?"
She answers:
1. Market Research - the first step to success. Do your due diligence. Make sure that you know there actually is a market for this product, what similar products are being offered in the community and who is offering them.
2. Understand the actual costs and logistics - There are regulations, duties, shipping costs and many other things to consider when importing goods. For a step by step guide, check out: Canada Border Services.
3. What is your role? - Will you a distributor by purchasing the goods from the foreign suppliers and then selling them here? Or will you be acting as an agent that facilitates the transaction? Are you going to be small scale and sell the imported product through your personal network of friends, family and colleagues? Or are you planning to sell to retail outlets and customers? Your role will help determine what your responsibilities and costs will be to import the goods.
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Congratulations AWE commends Client Service Coordinator, Cindy Wahl Braun for her excellent customer service. One client wrote a heartfelt note thanking Cindy for her guidance during her initial contact with AWE. | |
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Growing Business through International Trade 
International Trade is one of the fastest-growing areas of the economy and small and medium-sized enterprises comprise the majority of the firms that sell goods and services abroad.
Minister of International Trade, Stockwell Day delivered a speech for International Trade Day on June 3rd, 2009 announcing $2 million to help Canadian national business associations extend their activities in the global economy.
However, many women may not have celebrated International Trade Day on June 3. Why? Across studies reviewed, 40 to 75 percent of Canadian women business owners cited exporting as one of the highest gender-specific barriers or issues. Some barriers include limited professional networks, obtaining timely market information, personal factors and establishing strategic alliances.
Whether you are working internationally or want to be, there are important considerations which will help you to overcome barriers and implement a succesful global business strategy.
Looking for connections to supply chains?
WEConnect Canada, a non-profit organization, qualifies women-owned businesses and connects them with the growing global demand from corporations and the public sector for diverse and innovative suppliers. WEConnect Canada also: delivers education, training, coaching and mentoring programs to support bidding successfully on large contracts, and facilitates the building of strong networks for women by connecting them with procurement opportunities and other qualified firms. Learn more about WEConnect Canada. Limited time, money, expertise or energy to import or export?
Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) equips individuals and businesses with the practical skills they need to succeed in today's competitive global marketplace. FITT is an international trade training and professional certification body and the leading membership based organization of its kind in the world. FITT sets the standards and designs the training programs for the professional designation, Certified International Trade Professional (CITP). It is the only professional trade designation of its kind, and is earned by completing courses and meeting standards and requirements set by FITT. Marcela Mandeville, AWE Programs and External Relations Manager recently received her CITP designation.
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Future Aboriginal Business Leaders
Recently, Canada celebrated National Aboriginal Day -a time to recognize the valuable contributions and success of Aboriginal people, including entrepreneurs in the community. Programs such as the the Future Aboriginal Business Leaders Symposium* are building skills and knowledge in the next generation of entrepreneurs to help them achieve success.
"You guys rock". This evaluation form comment demonstrates the enthusiasm of the Aboriginal high- school students who were recently brought together with Aboriginal business leaders and Aboriginal youth entrepreneurs in the one-day symposiums to learn the basics of business, entrepreneurship and leadership.
This year's symposiums took place in Hobbema, Ft. Chipewyan, High Prairie, Calgary, and Lloydminster and were facilitiated by representatives from The Business Link, Alberta Indian Investment Corporation, Indian Business Corporation, Métis Settlement Investment Corporation and Apeetogosan Métis Development Inc., and AWE.
"It was a fantastic experience to represent AWE's NextStep to Success program for Aboriginal women and co-facilitate the program alongside colleagues from various organizations " said Marcela Mandeville, Programs and External Relations Manager, "It will be interesting to see how the participating future leaders will create and seize opportunities to benefit themselves, their communities and our economy."
* This program is funded by Alberta Employment and Immigration. |
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Simple, Effective Sales Skills Make the Most of Who You Are
The ability to sell yourself is essential for success no matter what your business. Making the most of your sales can be as easy as tuning into a few inherent skills and utilizing them for effective selling.
Are you making the most of these essential sales "skills"?
1. Communication: Do you speak clearly and in a manner that is easy to understand? Do you know when to stop talking and listen?
2. Problem Solving: Can you isolate what the real need or desire is in the buyer? Do you offer suggestions that will effectively solve the buyer's problem?
3. Organization: Can you break things down into smaller steps and organize a plan of action?
4. Initiative: Are you persistent to finish what you start? Do you achieve your goals?
5. Self Image: Do you have the right attitude?
6. Respect: Do you have good manners and practice cultural awareness?
7. Persuasive: Do you know how to get what you want?
8. Integrity: Do you behave with integrity in all you do? | |
Bonnie-Jean McAllister will be joining Debbie Travis, recent speaker at AWE's Innovative Approaches to Success conference, to document a trip to Tuscany, Italy in September.
"I was doing some photography for the conference in Edmonton when I met her and took her photo with one of my limited edition canvas' of Venice, Italy, and she mentioned the trip. I emailed her assistant the next day, and the rest is history," said McAllister.
AWE Client Makes it Big With Disney
HealthPod Baby was chosen by Disney editors to be one of their Top Ten Pregnancy Essentials on the Disney Family web site. And as the only Canadian product in the Top Ten, AWE is thrilled to been part of assisting HealthPod Baby reach this level of success. HealthPod says, "While we are very excited to receive this recognition, it is the personal stories from our friends, customers, and supporters that keep us motivated every day. So thank you for sending us emails about your HealthPod experiences, giving the HealthPod as a gift to those you know and love and helping us spread the word - it truly grows our business." | |
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