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Seminars and Workshops
The St. Catharines Enterprise Centre provides the information, tools and resources that entrepreneurs need to launch and grow their business. Aspiring and existing entrepreneurs are serviced through many support services, including a number of informative seminars and events.
Most of the following seminars are free of charge, but some involve a nominal fee. Pre-registration is required for all.
**Seminars are subject to change. Please be sure to phone the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to confirm dates and times.
Upcoming Seminar Schedules by Month
Monthly seminars available include:
Steps to Starting a Small Business Seminar
The Steps to Starting a Small Business seminar, delivered by the Enterprise Centre's staff, offers information about making the decision to enter the world of entrepreneurship.
Steps discussed include an overview of evaluating your idea, writing a business plan, securing financing, registering your business and putting your plan into action.
This session also goes into the rules, regulations and registrations that may be required from municipal, regional, provincial and/or federal levels.
We encourage anyone wishing to book a one-on-one consultation at
the Enterprise Centre to attend this session first.
Contact the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to reserve a seat for the next seminar today.
Evaluating Your Business Idea Seminar
Interested to know if your business idea makes sense? For ideas to turn into real business, you need to know the value of your idea. This seminar is a great place to start testing that.
In this session we introduce you to the Business Model CanvasTM to help you evaluate your idea and the value you intend to provide. You will gain a thorough understanding of this to use this tool as a new and existing businesses to help guide your strategies and discussions around new growth opportunities.
Through the completion of the sections of the canvas, you will start to formulate your business idea in a very visual way. From here, this tool can help you test the idea and understand what the next steps are to move forward.
Contact the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to reserve a seat for the next seminar today.
Business Plan Basics Seminar
Most successful businesses are guided by great leaders executing a well-written business plan. Business plans can provide countless benefits beyond just applying for financing. They provide vision and guidance while you launch and run your company, and allow you to be focused on your goals even while working on day-to-day operations.
This session acts as a follow up to the Evaluating Your Business Idea seminar. Attendees will look at taking their completed Business Model CanvasTM and turning it into a complete business plan.
Participants will understand the basic layout of a business plan including an overview of requirements and recommendations of each section. You will also be provided with a business planning template.
Contact the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to reserve a seat for the next seminar today.
Intro to Market Research Seminar
During this session we will discuss how market research is used to analyze the marketplace, the market's response to your product or service and the effectiveness of your advertising.
We will then work to understand how the results of your market research can influence the strategic planning of your business.
Contact the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to book a market research consultation.
Sales and Marketing Seminar
This seminar will assist entrepreneurs in understanding how to effectively market their product/service by applying the "4 Ps of Marketing".
Attendees will learn to utilize this strategy to create a sales and marketing strategy. Your business will be better equipped to identify your target market, create best practices for promotion and understand how this direction can be used to increase your sales.
Contact the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to reserve a seat for the next seminar today.
Building Your Business Online Seminar
The purpose of this seminar is to provide clients with an introduction to using online mediums to effectively build your business and brand. By building your business's online presence, you are capable of reaching a larger audience with minimal cost.
This seminar will provide an introductory overview of online resources, social media tools and e-commerce principles. Clients will leave with an understanding of how the online world relates to their business and how the business can benefit from engaging online.
Contact the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to reserve a seat for the next seminar today.
Accounting & Bookkeeping Basics Seminar
Every business needs to have a basic understanding of the bookkeeping and accounting requirements that apply. Through this seminar you will gain an understanding of the basic small business accounting and bookkeeping concepts, procedures and processes.
This seminar will include details on the development of the start-up budget, cash flow projections, income statement and balance sheet. You will also leave with an understanding of your record keeping requirements.
Proper and accurate accounting and bookkeeping will allow you the opportunity to plan and grow your business.
Contact the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to reserve a seat for the next seminar today.
Cash Flow Forecasting Seminar
A Cash Flow Statement is a major financial statement used to track the flow of money into and out of a business during a particular period.
Cash flow projections are used by businesses in order to evaluate how the company obtains and spends cash, what the future cash requirements of the business might be, whether their suppliers and employees can be paid on time, and whether the company generates enough cash from operation to sustain the business and pay off debts.
In this session we introduce you to a cash flow forecasting template. You will get training on how to complete this template and where to look for the information you need to complete it.
Contact the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to reserve a seat for the next seminar today.
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Workshops and Info Sessions
One Page Business Plan Workshop
This session is specifically designed for people whose businesses have been operating for a year or more. The One Page Business Plan is an advanced seminar - it will encourage you to update your goals and objectives after your first year in business. You will leave this workshop with renewed focus and a plan to jump start your business right now.
Contact the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to book an appointment for the One Page Business Plan seminar.
CRA Small Business Information Session
When starting a small business, there are a number of important rules and processes related to reporting and taxes that any entrepreneur should be aware of. This session is delivered by qualified staff of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and reviews various topics including:
- Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)
- Income Tax
- Audit
- Objections and Appeals
- My Business Account
- How to get information from the CRA
Contact the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to reserve a seat for the next seminar today.
Futurpreneur Canada Program Session
The Futurpreneur Canada program is a national charity providing start-up financing and mentoring to help you start your own successful business. If you are 18 to 39 years old and have a great business idea, we can help you access up to $45,000 in a startup loan through this program.
Attend an information session with a consultant to learn about the program, the eligibility criteria and the application process.
Contact the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to book a time to meet with a consultant.
FirstOntario Micro Loan Information Session
Interested in starting or growing a small business, but having difficulty with financing? A micro loan may be the answer. Since 2012, FirstOntario Credit Union has provided small business loans of up to $2,500 to individuals who are unable to access traditional financing to start or grow their business.
During this session, participants will learn about the micro finance eligibility criteria, the process of accessing financing, the technical aspects of loan disbursements, as well as tips and tricks every entrepreneur should know to run a successful small business.
Contact the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to book a time to meet with a consultant.
Funding for your Business Information Session
Entrepreneurs often report that getting financing is the most challenging aspect of starting or growing a business. From start-up and expansion funding, to hiring incentives and more, this seminar will provide an overview of the programs, incentives and supports available to you.
The importance of utilizing strong business planning practices in order to strengthen applications for funding will also be included.
Contact the Enterprise Centre at 905.688.5601 ext. 1767 to book a time to meet with a consultant.
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