CEO's Message
Connections to Contracts
Did you know that less than 1% of the money major corporations spend in North America is for goods and services provided by female owned businesses? I know you are thinking, I am just a small regional service provider or manufacturer - how on earth could I even think about selling to companies like Walmart or Accenture? I have just returned from an incredible week of seeing how women owned businesses just like you have done it - and they have the contracts to show for it. In some cases hundreds or thousands of dollars, in other cases millions of dollars. These women landed contracts with major hotel chains, international consulting firms and yes, even Walmart! Read more... |
Over the last month, AWE has been involved in many exciting community events around our province.
During Small Business Week, AWE was proud to sponsor Lina Heath, President of EvelineCharles Salons, Spas and Beauty MD, as the guest speaker for The Grande Prairie Small Business Week Women in Business Luncheon. Enjoyed by all, Lina spoke on professional image in the workplace and the upcoming fall trends and highlights in fashion and beauty.
In southern Alberta, AWE was happy to partner with Community Futures Lethbridge, BDC and CYBF to present Spirit of the Entrepreneur, featuring guest speaker Frank O'Dea, co-founder of the Second Cup. Frank captivated the audience with his personal story of triumph over adversity.
Celebrating the contribution of women in our community, AWE was pleased to be a part of The Red Deer Women of Excellence Awards, providing the Entrepreneurship award recipient with a congratulatory prize to compliment her trophy.
Thank you to all who attended these events and AWE looks forward to being a part of an event in your local community in the near future! |
Global Entrepreneurship Week
November 15 - 21, 2010
For GEW Canada 2010, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is working to encourage hundreds of grassroots, regional and national organizations to champion a culture of entrepreneurship and mentoring, through local, national and global initiatives including: The Great Canadian Mentoring Challenge and Show Us Your Entrepreneur. Check our www.gewcanada.com for more details.
As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week activities, AWE will be partnering with CYBF, JR Shaw School of Business at NAIT, and the YWCA of Edmonton present the Small Business Resource Tradeshow.
If you're interested in speaking with organizations that can help you secure financing for your business, assist with market research and business planning and provide you with a mentor to guide you along your entrepreneurial journey, this is the event!
 Also, hear from Ken Bautista, a serial entrepreneur and only 33 years old! Ken will share his story about the start-ups he has been involved with and the lessons learned along the way.
Thursday November 18, 2010
NAIT
5:00 - 7:00pm
FREE
Register Now |
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H.I.P. Women Event
in support of Junior Achievement
An evening of growth and personal development in an inspiring atmosphere for professional women. In support of Junior Achievement, this event will give you the opportunity to learn from experts in the areas of health, fashion, professionalism, technology and etiquette while helping to support our community's future business leaders. The evening will be rounded off with mini spa services ($10/service), fashion updates, food and beverages.
Expert Speakers include:
Health - with Jesse Lipscombe, P.H.A.T. Training
Image - with Joanne Blake, Style for Success
Professionalism - with Antara Spitzig of Conroy Ross and Tracey Scarlett of Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
Technology - with Brad Grier, technology blogger at www.bradgrier.com
H.I.P. Women Event
November 18th
EvelineCharles Academy, Edmonton
4:00 - 9:00pm
Tickets $50
Register today and help develop Canada's future business leaders!
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Roadmap for Success
This one time session, 3 hour workshop led by an AWE Business Advisor, provides an introduction on how to develop a business plan. During this session you will learn how to:
- Draft the basic components of a good business plan that will help you move forward with confidence
- Conduct informative marketing research
- Create financial plans that will support business viability
Included in the $45+GST cost of the series is a comprehensive workbook with detailed information, business plan samples, and lists of resources.
Edmonton:
November 25: 5:30 -8:30pm
Calgary:
November 24: 5:30-8:30pm
Click here for more info or to register |
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Managing Systems & Processes...the Right Way
 Part of the Building on Success Series, this upcoming workshop will provide attendees with the tools and techniques to manage operations before and after business growth to create quality throughout their organization. Presented by Lina Heath, President of Eveline Charles Salons, Spas, & Beauty MD.
Edmonton - Register here
Date: November 23, 2010
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Cost: $45+GST
Calgary - Register here
Date: November 25, 2010
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Cost:$45+GST Upcoming Building on Success Workshops:
January: The 7 Steps to Marketing Success
February: Your Value Proposition
Visit the AWE website for more information or to register. |
Women Entrepreneurs Access Key Contracts On November 9th and 10th, WEConnect Canada hosted their second annual "From Contacts to Contracts" Conference, in which over 200 women business owners, certified women business entrepreneurs, and corporations, including RIM and Staples, participated in developing opportunities for supplier diversity in the market.
Attending the event were representatives from the Women's Enterprise Initiative (WEI), which has recently formalized its role as a partner with WEConnect Canada. WEI partners including Women's Enterprise Centre British Columbia, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs, Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan, and Women's Enterprise Centre Manitoba provide WEConnect certification and learning opportunities in their regions of Western Canada through the Access to Supply Chains program for women entrepreneurs.
As part of the conference the Done Deal Awards were presented to Women Business Owners recognized for having signed deals in three categories - International and National deals done with large corporation, and those who have purchased products/services from other certified women business enterprises. An Ambassador Award is also presented to a woman making a difference to the advancement of women in supplier diversity in Canada. Congratulations to all the award recipients!
International Awards:
 | | From left to right: Barb Mowat, Margaret Ramsdale, Leslie Meingast, Marla Kott |
Marla Kott, Imprint Plus, Richmond BC
Margaret Ramsdale, Omega Uniform Systems, Vancouver BC
National Awards:
Leslie Meingast, The Personnel Department, Vancouver BC
Ambassador Award:
Barbara Mowat, Women Presidents' Organization, Abbotsford BC |
Opening Doors to New Contracts and Markets
Here are 5 tips from the "Selling to the Government and Public Sector" seminar organized by the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce:
1. Check online tendering sites such as MERX and Alberta Purchasing Connection often, as some tenders are posted only for a few days. How-to-guides and seminars on these tools are offered from the federal and provincial government websites: www.buysell.gc.ca and http://vendor.purchasingconnection.ca/
2. Make sure to address all the mandatory requirements outlined in the tender to ensure your proposal doesn't get disqualified. Even something as simple as not meeting the signing requirements with a seal, signature or on a separate sheet can disqualify your proposal.
3. Don't be afraid to contact the buyer. Their information is usually listed on the tender. They can help answer any questions you have on your proposal and can issue addendums to the tender if they think you've raised important issues that everyone should know about. Many buyers are also willing to give you feedback if you want to find out why you didn't win a tender.
4. Some public sector entities mark proposals by a point system so spend the time and effort for specific sections. Contact the buyer find out more about this.
5. If your business doesn't currently accept credit cards or electronic fund transfers for payments, you may want to learn more about the buyer's payment preferences as many government agencies prefer to pay by credit card in order to reduce costs.
If you're new to selling to the public sector or want to take on smaller contracts, consider lower than threshold and sub-contracting contracts. These opportunities aren't posted on the public tendering websites. In February, we will be hosting a seminar on these opportunities in government and educational institutions. Stay tuned for details! |
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Keep in Touch
Connect with other women entrepreneurs and keep up to date with the latest AWE news on our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages.
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Save the Date!
Innovative Approaches to Success Annual Conference
May 5 & 6, 2011
Hotel Arts, Calgary
...and take home what you need to grow your business!
Early-bird registration now open. Click here for more info. |
AWE provides women owned businesses with loans up to $150,000 for market-ready start-ups, business expansion projects, and business purchases.
For more info on our Loan Program click here. |
See how AWE has "Realized Success"
Check out Alberta Women Entrepreneurs 2009 - 2010 Annual Report "Realizing Success". Click here to view the pdf. |
Did You Catch Us?
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs was recently featured in the October issue of Alberta Venture Magazine. If you missed us, view the online version by clicking here! |
Congratulations
to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Small Business Week Award Recipients
Little Rock Document Services - winner of the 2010 RBC Small Business of the Year Award! organicKidz - winner of the Emerging Enterprise of the Year Award! |
BDC Young Entrepreneur Awards
Do you know an extraordinary young entrepreneur? The Young Entrepreneur Awards is a competition that recognizes the talent and success of Canadian entrepreneurs aged 19 - 35. Nomination campaign runs October 19 to November 30, 2010 and the awards gala will take place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on May 3, 2011. For more information visit: www.bdc.ca/yea. |
HSBC International Business Awards
Are you a Canadian business thriving abroad? If so, consider applying for an HSBC International Business Award. Nominations close December 31, 2010.
For more info. |
2011 CWC Annual Awards
Do you know someone who deserves recognition? Play an active role in the advancement of women. Nominate a candidate who has made a difference in the communications industry for a CWC Annual Award.
For a full description of each Annual Award category, please click here.
To download a nomination form click here. |
Call for Speakers, Presenters and Topics
International conference "Fueling the Future: Women in Oil & Gas", to be held March 8th (International Women's Day) and 9th, 2011, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, is currently seeking input for the event. Interested in contributing? Click here for more info. |
The Dynamics of Family Business - Alberta Business Family Institute
Calgary - November 30, 2010
Edmonton - December 1, 2010
For more info or to register |
Access to Supply Chains Events of Interest
Interested in doing business with the Government of Canada?
Edmonton:
November 24, 2010
Calgary:
November 25, 2010 For more info or to register |
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