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Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising.
Mark Twain
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2010 Winter Games Facts
London Community Torch Relay Celebration:
December 24, 2009 |
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Olympic Winter Games:
February 22 - 28
Paralympic Winter Games:
March 12 - 21
Game athletes and officials: 6,700
Participating Countries:
(Olympic Games) 80+
Participating Countries:
(Paralympic Games) 40+
Event Tickets Available:
1.6 million
Estimated Number of Media:
10,000
Estimated Number of Volunteers:
25,000
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Source: VANOC, 2007.
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BizPaL Simplifies Permits and Licences for London Businesses
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On Friday April 17, the Small Business Centre and the City of London hosted the London launch of BizPaL, a new online service that provides entrepreneurs with simplified access to information on permits and licences they need to establish and run their businesses.
Entrepreneurs simply answer a series of questions on the type of business they want to start or expand and the activities they plan to undertake. BizPaL then automatically generates a customized list of all permits and licences they may need from all levels of government, along with basic information on each, and links to government sites where the entrepreneur can learn more and, in some cases, apply online.
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Dear Friends,
We started the month off with our Networking Wednesday Event at Crazy Joe's Shisha Cafe. Just as Joe promised it was a crazy evening of magic and surprises for the 80 people who attended. Thanks to everyone who joined us! Watch for the pictures on the Networking Wednesday Photo Gallery. Hope you can join us in June, we'll kick off summer on a patio.
Would you like learn how you can benefit from business opportunities provided by the 2010 Winter Games? Would you like to network with a Gold Medalist? Keep reading to find out more about our "Doing Business with the Olympics" event on May 20. There will be many opportunities for London businesses to explore.
We hope to see you soon. Have a great May!
Inga Waszkowski & Your Newsletter Team
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Clients in the News...
 The following clients have recently been featured in the local media. Congratulations!
Who: Sean Sweeney of Fortress Data Vaulting
Where: Biz Monday, The London Free Press, Business London Magazine, Canadian Manager Magazine,
When: April, 2009
Fortress Data Vaulting Inc. is a service and consulting firm that specializes in business risk identification and analysis; establishing and implementing solutions to eliminate, mitigate or transfer said risks; and finally complete operational continuance planning and solutions. Visit the website to learn more.
Who: Judy Gremaud of Kosuma Natural Foods Inc.
Where: LEDC Newsletter
When: April, 2009
Kosuma Healthy Stuff, an innovative food manufacturing company using only natural, functional ingredients to promote wellness and healthy eating. Judy's mission is to promote wellness with natural derived nutritional power foods. If you want to learn more about Kosuma Healthy Stuff visit the website.
Who: Humberto Jaramillo
Where: EatDrink Magazine
When: March, 2009
Granadilla, tamarillo, curuba. They sound so exotic. And of course they are, to us, but Humberto and his partner Nohra are helping spread the word on these exotic fruits. Visit their fruit stand at the London's Farmers' Market at the Western Fair. Visit the website for more information.
Who: Ashley Blackman of Bark & Fitz
Where: SNAP London
When: April, 2009
Bark & Fitz is a dog inspired retail health food store for you and your dog! They aim to provide all natural and holistic food and treats for dogs to live longer, healthier, more active lives. For further information about Bark & Fitz visit the website.
Who: Jennifer Neves of Occasions Event Planning
Where: Biz Monday, London Free Press
When: April 20, 2009
Alleviate the chaos...and make your special occasion perfect-just the way you imagined it could be. Let Jennifer create a flawless event that is orchestrated with grace and ease. Whether you are planning to celebrate, motivate, or impress Occasions will make it a day to be remembered. If would you would like more information Jennifer would love to hear from you, 519-670-9142.
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 iwaszkowski@sbcentre.ca and we may include it in our next newsletter. |
| Featured Article |
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Marketing: Painless Promotion
By: Eleanor Beaton
Source: Canadian Business Online
If Cheryl Ng hadn't prepaid the $8,000 it cost to attend a major pet-supplies trade show in Las Vegas last fall, she might have considered passing on the event. With a recession looming, Ng, president of FouFou Dog, a Richmond Hill, Ont.-based distributor of designer doggywear, was worried that buyers would stay away from the trade show altogether.
But when only half as many of Ng's competitors attended as in the year before, Ng seized the opportunity to put $2,000 worth of branded tote bags, pet treats and flyers in the hands of potential clients. "We ended up taking [our rivals'] business," she says. In all, Ng landed more than a dozen new clients at the show.
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Helpful Article...
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Learn To Tell A Good Story
By: Steven Teo
Source: getentrepreneurial.com
Small Business Trends: Maybe sales and marketing are not your strongest skills. But if you want to improve your marketing by 100%, try this simple technique that anybody can do: learn to tell a good story.
In my latest column over at the OPEN Forum site, I discuss the power of telling stories to spice up your marketing:
T.J. Walker, a public speaking consultant to the rich and famous, wrote about the power of telling stories. Quoting the book "Made to Stick" by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, he notes that 63% of people will remember a story from a talk or presentation, versus only 5% who remembered statistics.
He also said this: "Stories are not a luxury; they are the single most effective way to get your audience to remember your messages."
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 Patio Networking at
The Barking Frog!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Come join us at the Barking Frog for our last networking event before Summer. Enjoy a great location, a fantastic set-up on the patio, meet with friends and enjoy some delicious food!
Time: 5:30 - 7:30
Location: The Barking Frog
Address: 209 John Street (at Richmond) map
Cost: $5.00 (paid in cash 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 June 2, 2009!
* Please remember to register in advance so we have enough food for everyone! |
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.
At April's meeting, member/guest speaker Jayme Cousins, from In House Logic shared his experience with growing a prosperous business. Here are a few tips you may want to keep in mind as you consider your own business growth.
* If you are married, it is vital to have the ongoing support from your partner.
* Keep track of time spent with clients so you can bill accordingly. By utilizing a simple online program, TraxTime (www.traxtime.com) that operates as a personal punch clock for your computer, Jayme increased his revenue by 40% because he had been under-billing his time.
* Manage your time more efficiently. Jayme realized that by "closing" his office on Fridays, he actually got more work done - without interruption. His voice message states the office is closed and phone calls will be returned on Monday, thereby giving Jayme a full day of uninterrupted work time.
* As In House Logic has grown and evolved, Jayme has passed on clients who no longer fit his business model or the services that he now provides, allowing better use of his time in areas he enjoys servicing, and giving his customers options to better suit their needs.
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, May 20, 7:00 a.m.
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