Resources & Links
10 Steps To Growing a Business
Business Resource Articles
- Thinking - So you have a great idea for a new business. This is the first of many steps in the process of becoming an entrepreneur. Starting your own business is a big responsibility and requires time, attention and skill.
Many people start a small business in order to enjoy the perceived rewards of freedom and independence. Owning your own business can offer you the freedom to use your own ideas. It is also a real choice for your next career.making your own job and creating jobs for others.
- Starting - Don’t know where to begin? The COBSC is a great access point to a variety of resources that can help you decide if you are ready for business ownership.
Think about the lifestyle, the skills and the market itself. You may want to do it, but what does your potential market want and what are they doing now?
- Growing - If you have been operating a successful business for some time and feel that you have moved beyond the start-up phase, it may be time to start considering a number of areas that can help grow your business.
The Growing Your Business Info-Guide has been developed by the Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC) to assist existing businesses in a number of areas including market research, export and expansion financing.
Now that you have been running your businesses, some old challenges are still hanging on while new challenges arise. Perhaps you need to expand, add employees, market in a new way and manage your sustainability or growth.
- Exiting - Are you thinking of selling or closing your business? The COBSC is a great access point for a variety of resources that can help you close or sell your business and provide information on how to create a succession plan for your business.
Many business owners don’t plan ahead. Thinking ahead for your own future and for your businesses future should be key to your planning. You’ve worked hard and the rewards of selling or succession may wait for you.
E-Business Resources
If you are a small or medium business owner, use these E-Business Resources to learn about e-business, assess whether it is right for your operation and get information on implementing an e-business solution. These publications have been developed by the E-Business Unit of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.
Files are in PDF format. The link will open a new browser window
- E-Exporting
Examines how to use the Internet to sell your products and services to customers in other countries.
- Open-Source Software
Reviews the benefits and limitations of the open source approach, and includes a reference list of some of the most commonly used free software.
- Customer Relationship Management
Helps entrepreneurs understand the basics of customer relationship management (CRM) and how the Internet can assist with the implementation of CRM in their businesses.
- Internet Auctions and Virtual Malls
Explains how businesses can sell or buy online through means such as virtual malls, Internet auctions or e‑mall services where many sites are listed together.
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