|
| The finalists have been selected! |
VenturePrize London is a business plan competition celebrating the thriving entrepreneurial culture in our city.
The the following companies are the first-round finalists in the 2008-2009 competition:
Antic Entertainment
Braise Food & Wine
Fortress Data Vaulting
Kosuma Healthy Stuff
Vinestein
The grand prize winners will be announced at the February 10 VenturePrize London Awards Celebration.
| |
|
Dear Friends,
Hello and welcome to the February 2009 issue of the Small Business Centre Newsletter.
In this issue, we will give you updates on networking opportunities and seminars. We will be highlighting a member of the Entrepreneur's Club, and featuring an article on becoming a master networker.
We started the month off with our Networking Wednesday on February 4, thanks to everyone who joined us at TrisanOne. Watch for the pictures on the Networking Wednesday Photo Gallery!
Don't forget, it's official! The third Monday of February (Feb. 16 this year), has been proclaimed a "Family Day" in Ontario. Is your business going to be affected?
This is also the time of the year when we receive many tax related inquiries. Don't miss our Income Tax for Small Business Seminar on February 25.
Finally, if you are looking for information on how to build an effective website and drive traffic to it, we have a special seminar coming up on Wednesday, March 11. See details for eBusiness 101: Getting Your Business Online below.
Have a great February,
|
|
Clients in the News...
 The following clients have recently been featured in the local media. Congratulations!
Who: Marc Forrat of Forrat Chocolates
Where: Biz Monday, London Free Press
When: December 22, 2008
Marc Forrat is the owner and operator of Forrat Chocolates. Expanding from his original outlet in the Covent Garden Market, his latest move has been to set up a shop inside Remark Farms at Hyde Park Road and Oxford Street. In addition to the truffles and chocolate bars that have been staples of his business, Forrat now ladles chocolate into moulds. With Valentines Day just around the corner we encourage you to visit Forrat Chocolates.
Who: Monica Pease of Touch Stone Consulting
Where: Biz Monday, London Free Press & CKNX Radio
When: January 5, 2009 & January 7, 2009
At Touchstone Consulting, they understand that you sometimes need guidance and accountability. Whether you are on the beginning pathway, mid-career, or starting to wind down your life's work for a new stage of life, Touchstone will work with you to keep you on track with your goals. Using a combination of assessment tools and one-to-one coaching, you will discover a rich new perspective in your work life. Bottom line: you will become re-energized with your work and your life. Visit the website for more information.
Who: Dylan de Coning of Ponder Games Inc.
Where: Biz Monday, London Free Press
When: January 15, 2009
Ponder Games is an Environmental Video Games Development Studio based out of London. They promote Environmental Awareness by focusing their video games on a specific endangered species/environmental concern. The newest game is "Pufu's Spriral", it is a puzzle based game that has Pufu the Penguin travelling to 17 countries around the world, learning about environmental issues such as endangered species and global warming.
If you are a Small Business Centre Client and have been featured in the media recently, we would like to hear from you so we can pass it along. Send details to info@sbcentre.ca and we may include it in our next newsletter. |
|
|
|
|
 Advanced Business Series Seminar
INCOME TAX FOR SMALL BUSINESS
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Time: 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Location: London Small Business Centre
Cost: $25.00+ GST
Presented by FBC, Canada's Small Business Tax Specialists for over 50 years
Topics Include:
* The fundamentals of tax planning
* CRA and you
* The hows and whys of record keeping
* Criteria for deducting various expenses
* Your tax return
* Procedures for reporting business income
* Your rights and responsibilities regarding your tax fillings Click Here for More Information & Registration
Pre-registration required as seating is limited. |
 March Networking Event
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
We are back at the Small Business Centre next month!
Join us for some great food; meet with friends, share ideas and exchange business cards.
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Address: 316 Rectory Street., 3rd Floor map
Cost: $5.00 (paid at the door)
If you would like to join us for this event please register by email, or call us at 519.659.2882 ext. 0 by March 3, 2009! |
|
On Tap with The Entrepreneur's Club... 
Each month, members of The Entrepreneur's Club meet to learn from seasoned professionals, share knowledge and skills, and develop valuable business relationships.
Member Spotlight - Dino Achilleos, Red Box Computer Solutions
Red Box knows most small businesses don't have in-house IT departments, yet rely on their computers to keep their businesses running effectively. That's why they offer fast and convenient on-site service when you need it. Certified technicians will quickly diagnose issues and provide cost-effective solutions to keep your business up and running. They can set up scheduled maintenance programs to reduce the chance of unexpected system failures or crashes. Visit their website to see their full range of services and solutions for your business.
Are you interested in becoming a member of The Entrepreneur's Club?
Attend a Water Cooler meeting to find out what we're all about. All you have to do is pay for breakfast. Attend two meetings without obligation...and then we'd love to have you join us regularly.
Check out our Searchable Directory. You can be included, too...simply become a member of The Entrepreneur's Club - it's part of your membership fee.
Join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 7:00 a.m.
RSVP eclub@sbcentre.ca | phone 519.649.7712 |
How To Become a Master Networker
By: Ivan Misner
Networking is more than just shaking hands and passing out business cards. Based on a survey I conducted of more than 2,000 people throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it's about building your "social capital." The highest-rated traits in the survey were the ones related to developing and maintaining good relationships. For years I've been teaching people that this process is more about "farming" than it is about "hunting." It's about cultivating relationships with other business professionals. It's about realizing the capital that comes from building social relationships.
The following traits were ranked in order of their perceived importance to networking. They're the traits that will make you a "master networker."
1. Follows up on referrals. This was ranked as the No. 1 trait of successful networkers. If you present an opportunity, whether it's a simple piece of information, a special contact or a qualified business referral, to someone who consistently fails to follow up successfully, it's no secret that you'll eventually stop wasting your time with this person.
2. Positive attitude. A consistently negative attitude makes people dislike being around you and drives away referrals; a positive attitude makes people want to associate and cooperate with you. Positive business professionals are like magnets. Others want to be around them and will send their friends, family and associates to them.
3. Enthusiastic/motivated. Think about the people you know. Who gets the most referrals? People who show the most motivation, right? It's been said that the best sales characteristic is enthusiasm. To be respected within our networks, we at least need to sell ourselves with enthusiasm. Once we've done an effective job of selling ourselves, we'll be able to reap the reward of seeing our contacts sell us to others! That's motivation in and of itself!
4. Thanks people. Gratitude is sorely lacking in today's business world. Expressing gratitude to business associates and clients is just another building block in the cultivation of relationships that will lead to increased referrals.
5. Enjoys helping. Helping others can be done in a variety of ways, from literally showing up to help with an office move to clipping a helpful and interesting article and mailing it to an associate or client. Master networkers keep their eyes and ears open for opportunities to advance other people's interests whenever they can.
For the full list of ways to become a master networker visit the source article, entrepreneur.com | |
|
