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While new businesses have a number of resources to help them get started, there is little in the form of public support to assist mature, more established businesses.
“Community Futures is among many community economic developers who have identified the need to support small businesses that do not typically have the capacity to access professional business advisory services; mentoring and/or coaching on marketing, market expansion, business planning, HR, financial, etc.,” said Wendy McCulloch, general manager at Community Future Boundary.
She said there are a number of issues businesses encounter that reduce their chances to succeed, such as: access to capital, skilled (or unskilled) employees, basic infrastructure (i.e.: high speed internet, roads, transportation, utilities), market information and training (operations, marketing, sales, human resources, bookkeeping and financial analysis, online presence).
But with funding from the Southern Interior Beetle Action Committee (SIBAC), the Grand Forks Credit Union and CFB the Business Advisory Program has been launched to provide business advisory services to small and medium enterprises.
Services that would be provided include business plan development and assessment; basic marketing assistance; financial management; and operational management.
The program will provide one-on-one free advisory services for up to 10 hours to existing qualified businesses who are experiencing some need in general operations and/or with succession planning or just wish to grow their businesses.
A roster of “Business Advisors” have been engaged by Community Futures with specific areas of expertise. They will be matched with the owners, one on one, and assist them in specific targeted areas e.g. developing a marketing plan, addressing cash flow issues, succession planning, business planning, etc. “It is anticipated that we would work with 10-14 businesses over the next few months ending Sept. 30, 2015,” she said. “In order to service the West Boundary more effectively, we will be offering four free workshops on Tuesday evenings in May – Practical Solutions for Small Business; Tackling Common Problems and Questions for Small Business; Social Media as a Marketing Tool; Web Site Design and Financial Solutions for Small Business. Each session will last from 6 to 9 p.m.
If interested in this program, contact Susan Green, Community Futures Boundary 250-442-2722 or 1-877-267-9399.
