At our seminar last Thursday Craig reminded everyone that research is a key component of the business plan. In my mind, if you do not do research on your business, market opportunity, or target market, you are unprepared. If you are struggling with research the Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge (CEC) website has some great resources at http://www.chinookchallenge.com/Resources.html. There is everything there from sample plans to assistance in financial planning to government research pages (stats can). I have not had the opportunity to browse all 70 websites, but I will direct you to some that encompass what we talked about this week.
I would like to draw your attention to the Business Development Bank of Canada (www.bdc.ca). If you browse it you will find:
You can customize the site to your industry sector
Step by step how to guide to start your small business
Sample Plans
Financial templates (very in depth)
but also....
A self Entrepreneur assessment.
All these things will give you a great understanding of what you are up for.
Also, for research purposes, the government has some excellent statistics. On the CEC Resources site there are over a dozen sites that would help. I hope this gets you started in the right direction. See you at the next seminar on Thursday, June 14.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Seminars Started
Seminars officially started Thursday, June 7. It was a success... minus the technical difficulties. I would like to thank everyone who spoke and attended and invite all those who may want to learn more about starting a small business. They are free to all those who are looking to start a small business in the area (See http://www.chinookchallenge.com/Participant%20documents/Chinook2007Handbook/index14.html to see if you are in the CEC area).
These seminars are invaluable, and FREE. We have lined up excellent speakers and seasoned entrepreneurs to give advice and guidance. We also have a mentor program that teams up participants in the Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge to business people in the community. They are their for support and guidance during the business plan writing stage. If you would like a mentor please let me know during the next seminar, June 14.
Some food for thought....
I read a post today on FoundRead.com. It is an amazingly insightful blog site where seasoned entrepreneurs of the very fast paced web industry in Silicon Valley post their thoughts and ideas. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, in the web industry or not, I strongly encourage you to read the articles.
Outcomes vs. Activities by Chris Michel struck my interest. He said that it is critical for founders to know the difference between activities, the means to an outcome, and outcomes. The reason for this is that people, especially founders, should ensure the essential outcomes of your business are complete and stay focused on those outcomes. He states, and everyone can attest to this, that it is easy to get sidetracked and waste a day or two, or more, on activities that are not as important. In other words, it is easy to stay busy, but stay busy doing the things that matter most to your business.
Entrepreneurs especially need to keep this in mind because there are so many things pulling them in so many directions that it is easy to lose focus. For the full story go to: http://www.foundread.com/view/outcomes-vs-activity.
These are some of the things that our instructor, a local business owner himself, talked about during our first session. Next week we will learn about analyzing your business and its opportunities. I hope to see you there.
These seminars are invaluable, and FREE. We have lined up excellent speakers and seasoned entrepreneurs to give advice and guidance. We also have a mentor program that teams up participants in the Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge to business people in the community. They are their for support and guidance during the business plan writing stage. If you would like a mentor please let me know during the next seminar, June 14.
Some food for thought....
I read a post today on FoundRead.com. It is an amazingly insightful blog site where seasoned entrepreneurs of the very fast paced web industry in Silicon Valley post their thoughts and ideas. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, in the web industry or not, I strongly encourage you to read the articles.
Outcomes vs. Activities by Chris Michel struck my interest. He said that it is critical for founders to know the difference between activities, the means to an outcome, and outcomes. The reason for this is that people, especially founders, should ensure the essential outcomes of your business are complete and stay focused on those outcomes. He states, and everyone can attest to this, that it is easy to get sidetracked and waste a day or two, or more, on activities that are not as important. In other words, it is easy to stay busy, but stay busy doing the things that matter most to your business.
Entrepreneurs especially need to keep this in mind because there are so many things pulling them in so many directions that it is easy to lose focus. For the full story go to: http://www.foundread.com/view/outcomes-vs-activity.
These are some of the things that our instructor, a local business owner himself, talked about during our first session. Next week we will learn about analyzing your business and its opportunities. I hope to see you there.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
FREE Seminars
Some food for thought...
"...it’s important not to confuse perfectionism with success. Endlessly pursuing the perfect product can mean never delivering a good product, or the right product. Successful start ups are about effective use of limited resources. While it’s critical never to limit the vision of what the company can be, having the discipline to package that vision into manageable pieces is perhaps more important still. "(For the complete story go to http://www.foundread.com/view/go-ahead-push-the).
This is true of entrepreneurs; people get caught in the vision of what might be, and lose focus of the primary objective of their company. Their endless visioning and farsightedness may be their downfall. Lack of demand is not the only reason for a new company to fail. The great entrepreneurs can take the good ideas, set goals, achieve them, and move on; not make goals, make more goals, make still more goals, and then achieve the first goal.
This is why a business plan is so important. It keep the visionaries on task and focused on the issues at hand. That is why the free business planning seminars are such a useful tool. We have an amazing instructor and some great guest speakers from professionals and long time business people.
Our FREE Pre-Business Planning Seminars start in 2 weeks. They are every Thursday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm starting June 7th. They cover everything you need to include in your business plan. You must be registered to take the business planning seminars (its free, we don't even ask for a credit card number)
The calendar of events is online at www.chinookchallenge.com. Also, all the information is in the Handbook at the same site.
"...it’s important not to confuse perfectionism with success. Endlessly pursuing the perfect product can mean never delivering a good product, or the right product. Successful start ups are about effective use of limited resources. While it’s critical never to limit the vision of what the company can be, having the discipline to package that vision into manageable pieces is perhaps more important still. "(For the complete story go to http://www.foundread.com/view/go-ahead-push-the).
This is true of entrepreneurs; people get caught in the vision of what might be, and lose focus of the primary objective of their company. Their endless visioning and farsightedness may be their downfall. Lack of demand is not the only reason for a new company to fail. The great entrepreneurs can take the good ideas, set goals, achieve them, and move on; not make goals, make more goals, make still more goals, and then achieve the first goal.
This is why a business plan is so important. It keep the visionaries on task and focused on the issues at hand. That is why the free business planning seminars are such a useful tool. We have an amazing instructor and some great guest speakers from professionals and long time business people.
Our FREE Pre-Business Planning Seminars start in 2 weeks. They are every Thursday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm starting June 7th. They cover everything you need to include in your business plan. You must be registered to take the business planning seminars (its free, we don't even ask for a credit card number)
The calendar of events is online at www.chinookchallenge.com. Also, all the information is in the Handbook at the same site.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Off and Running
Well, we are officially launched and the 2007 campaign has been kicked off with a success all over Southern Alberta.
Keep an eye on your local paper and and ear tuned to your radio to get more information on the Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge.
Now that we are getting down to business, I would like to share some useful online resources with all aspiring entrepreneurs. There is a start-up business blog. The founder said, "the lessons I am learning [from starting my own business], thousands have learnt before, and might actually have a wider (and better) perspective on trials and tribulations of being a founder of a business. Not just a tech start-up, just any business. Why isn’t there a resource that captures this tribal wisdom? What if we could build one – one that can be shared by one-and-all?".
The idea is a breakthrough and it gives advice by people that have been there and have been through the turbulent start-up stages of entrepreneurship. If you are interested and want more information, the site is: http://www.foundread.com/view/introducing; or if you want to jump right in: http://www.foundread.com/.
This could potentially give you some insight into your future business and perhaps help your business plan be more sustainable. This site, coupled with our 8 pre-business planning seminars should give you the insight for a great business plan. For more information on the Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge contact info@chinookchallenge.com or visit www.chinookchallenge.com
Keep an eye on your local paper and and ear tuned to your radio to get more information on the Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge.
Now that we are getting down to business, I would like to share some useful online resources with all aspiring entrepreneurs. There is a start-up business blog. The founder said, "the lessons I am learning [from starting my own business], thousands have learnt before, and might actually have a wider (and better) perspective on trials and tribulations of being a founder of a business. Not just a tech start-up, just any business. Why isn’t there a resource that captures this tribal wisdom? What if we could build one – one that can be shared by one-and-all?".
The idea is a breakthrough and it gives advice by people that have been there and have been through the turbulent start-up stages of entrepreneurship. If you are interested and want more information, the site is: http://www.foundread.com/view/introducing; or if you want to jump right in: http://www.foundread.com/.
This could potentially give you some insight into your future business and perhaps help your business plan be more sustainable. This site, coupled with our 8 pre-business planning seminars should give you the insight for a great business plan. For more information on the Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge contact info@chinookchallenge.com or visit www.chinookchallenge.com
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
You are invited to attend the open houses for the Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge. The open house schedule is:
-Crowsnest Pass: Monday, May 7th 12:00 pm at 12501 - 20 Avenue, Blairmore, AB
-Lethbridge (2626 South Parkside Drive)/Medicine Hat (202 - 556 4th Street South East)/Taber (5324 48 Avenue): Wednesday, May 9th 11:00 am (Video Conferenced)
-Drumheller: Monday, May 14th 12:00 TBA
-Hanna: Monday, May 14th 12:00 Hanna Learning Centre
-Hanna: Monday, May 14th 12:00 Hanna Learning Centre
-Brooks: Tuesday, May 15t 12:00 TBA
-Strathmore: Tuesday, May 22th 11:00 TBA
There will be an overview of the Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge and a Q&A session. Previous winners will be there for comment in Lethbridge and we will have information packages for those interested. For more information contact me at info@chinookchallenge.com or visit www.chinookchallenge.com.
-Strathmore: Tuesday, May 22th 11:00 TBA
There will be an overview of the Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge and a Q&A session. Previous winners will be there for comment in Lethbridge and we will have information packages for those interested. For more information contact me at info@chinookchallenge.com or visit www.chinookchallenge.com.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Win $20 000
Would like to have $20 000 in start up capital for your new business or for a new product line for an existing business and are located in southern Alberta, Canada? Then here is your chance.
The Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge is a business planning competition that promotes developing a solid business plan. There are 8 free seminars to teach you how to write a business plan; then all you have to do is submit your plan. It will be judged by experts throughout southern Alberta, and the winner will be announced October 13.
There are two categories, agriculture and general business. A winner in each category will receive $15 000 cash and $5 000 in in-kind services from sponsors in the community including free accounting services and free radio advertising.
You need to register with me by emailing info@chinookchallenge.com in order to submit a business plan or attend the seminars. For more information visit www.chinookchallenge.com.
What have you got to lose, and by the end you will have a great business plan ready to kick start your dream of being your own boss.
The Chinook Entrepreneur Challenge is a business planning competition that promotes developing a solid business plan. There are 8 free seminars to teach you how to write a business plan; then all you have to do is submit your plan. It will be judged by experts throughout southern Alberta, and the winner will be announced October 13.
There are two categories, agriculture and general business. A winner in each category will receive $15 000 cash and $5 000 in in-kind services from sponsors in the community including free accounting services and free radio advertising.
You need to register with me by emailing info@chinookchallenge.com in order to submit a business plan or attend the seminars. For more information visit www.chinookchallenge.com.
What have you got to lose, and by the end you will have a great business plan ready to kick start your dream of being your own boss.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Your Hired
Do you feel like sitting across the board room table doing the hiring and firing instead of being hired and fired? We can help.
Own your own small business! This challenge is designed to assist those who have a viable business idea to get that business off the ground. The winners get $20 000 in cash and prizes. However, the seminars to assist you in developing your business plan are free, so at the end, you are one step closer to your small business dream. Because a well developed business plan is key to starting a small business.
To register go to www.chinookchallenge.com or email me at info@chinookchallenge.com.
Have a great long weekend.
Own your own small business! This challenge is designed to assist those who have a viable business idea to get that business off the ground. The winners get $20 000 in cash and prizes. However, the seminars to assist you in developing your business plan are free, so at the end, you are one step closer to your small business dream. Because a well developed business plan is key to starting a small business.
To register go to www.chinookchallenge.com or email me at info@chinookchallenge.com.
Have a great long weekend.
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