There were many signs of growth and prosperity for Canada’s manufacturing industry in 2016. New manufacturing orders increased by nearly 3%, a roadmap was developed to help the industry double in size by 2030, and investments are being made across all sectors, especially the automotive industry. Despite this success, a dark cloud still looms over…
Imagine any type of negotiation unfolding in front of you. What comes to mind? Most people think of a car sale, negotiating a contract at work, negotiating salary or compensation with an employer, or something simple. However, the reality of the situation is that most people negotiate every day on multiple occasions, but most of…
Developing value-added products and services is critical to Canada’s knowledge economy and competitiveness. More than ever, startups and early-stage businesses are being called on to support innovation and respond to new consumer/market preferences. Because of the rising demand for new consumer products, Canadian startups should focus on finding and establishing themselves within this market. Thankfully,…
Our clients are always teaching us about game-changing behaviours. During the first quarter of 2016, I focused on the disciplines of some businesses and how this helps them to grow and achieve more than their competitors. I recognized that most of the top companies possess effective and highly functioning professional teams with the right skills,…
Small business owners and executives must ensure they have reliable project management in place before investing in new initiatives. Being prepared with a strategic plan, as well as the managerial resources to execute the project, is integral to the success of any business activity. Especially in an increasingly globalized market, businesses must invest, innovate, and…
Branding plays an important role in our capitalistic society. It takes a product or service and transcends it beyond its features and specifications into something that consumers form an emotional bond over. This bond leads to consumer loyalty, defending and endorsing brands, and a willingness to pay more solely for the brand. Apple has evolved…
We have been busy this year, striving to educate Canadian businesses on funding available to them. Over the last 12 months, Mentor Works has completely overhauled our website, continued to provide daily Canadian small business funding news, and built our library of Free Funding Resources. We have further improvements in the pipeline for 2016, but…
As a business owner, you likely travel quite a bit. Business trips, client visits, conferences, trade shows, and the occasional vacation getaway can make it difficult to stay connected with your team, partners, and clientele. However, stress does not have to be a bi-product of your mobility if you use the right tools and processes…
Small businesses often have difficulty when completing Canadian government funding applications on their own. A significant time investment must be put into researching Canadian government grants and loans prior to writing a proposal, application, or other type of documentation. Failure to understand all of the program’s details could lead to the business’ application being rejected…
Social media offers businesses an opportunity to engage directly with customers in a cost-effective way. Businesses can now advertise their products or services on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other smaller social media platforms. For many companies, however, they don’t know where to begin, or how to use each platform effectively. As much as social media…