3345 Courses

Starting a small business can be a rewarding journey, but it requires careful planning and the right strategies to succeed. From creating a solid business plan to organizing finances and finding the right support, this guide will help you establish a foundation for a thriving business. For entrepreneurs in Calgary, key resources like reliable bookkeeping services can make a significant difference. Here’s how to start a small business and set it up for lasting success. Developing a business plan A clear, well-researched business plan serves as a roadmap for your business. It outlines your goals, target market, competitive advantage, and financial projections. This plan will also help attract investors or secure loans. To create an effective business plan: Define your mission and vision: Explain why your business exists and what you aim to achieve. Identify your target audience: Determine who your customers are and what problems your business will solve for them. Analyze competitors: Study your competitors to understand what they offer and find ways to differentiate your business. Set realistic financial projections: Estimate costs, revenue, and profits. This will give potential investors confidence in your business. Choosing a business structure Selecting the right business structure is essential, as it affects your taxes, liability, and daily operations. Common options include: Sole proprietorship: Simple to set up, with minimal paperwork, but offers no separation of personal and business liability. Partnership: Ideal for two or more owners, allowing shared responsibilities, but partners share liabilities. Corporation: Provides liability protection, but involves more paperwork and regulatory requirements. LLC (Limited Liability Company): Offers liability protection without the complexity of a corporation. Choose a structure that best suits your needs, and consult a legal professional to ensure compliance with Calgary’s business regulations. Securing funding Most small businesses require some level of funding to get started. Consider various financing options to find the best fit: Personal savings or family support: Often the first source of funding for many entrepreneurs. Business loans: Many banks offer small business loans with varying interest rates. Grants and government programs: Explore government grants and programs specifically designed to support small businesses in Calgary. Angel investors or venture capital: For businesses with high growth potential, attracting investors may be an option. Registering your business To operate legally, you’ll need to register your business. This process involves choosing a unique name, filing the necessary documents, and obtaining a business license in Calgary. You may also need specific permits depending on your industry. Completing these steps ensures that your business complies with all local regulations. Organizing your finances Managing finances effectively is crucial for any small business. Accurate bookkeeping keeps your business organized, tracks income and expenses, and prepares you for tax season. Many small businesses in Calgary choose to hire a bookkeeper in Calgary to handle these responsibilities, allowing owners to focus on growth. Working with one of the best bookkeeping services in Calgary can provide: Accurate financial records: Professional bookkeepers help maintain up-to-date records, which is essential for financial health. Compliance with tax laws: Calgary’s best bookkeeping services are familiar with local tax regulations, ensuring that you file correctly and on time. Insights for decision-making: With accurate records, you can make informed decisions on budgeting, spending, and investments. Creating a strong brand identity Building a brand that resonates with your target audience is essential. Your brand identity includes your business name, logo, colors, and messaging, as well as the experience you offer customers. Developing a consistent brand identity sets you apart from competitors and builds trust with customers. Here are some steps to create a strong brand identity: Design a logo and visual theme: Choose a professional logo, color scheme, and design elements that reflect your brand’s personality. Develop a unique brand voice: Whether it’s friendly, professional, or playful, keep your brand voice consistent in all communications. Focus on customer experience: Aim to provide exceptional service that keeps customers coming back and sharing their positive experiences. Building an online presence In today’s digital world, an online presence is crucial for reaching potential customers. Start by creating a professional website where customers can learn more about your products or services. Next, consider establishing a presence on social media platforms that suit your audience. Key components of a strong online presence include: User-friendly website: Make sure your website is easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and includes essential information about your business. Social media profiles: Engage with customers and share updates on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Google My Business: Setting up a Google My Business profile helps customers in Calgary find you more easily. Building a support network Running a small business can be challenging, and having a network of support is invaluable. Surround yourself with people who can provide advice, resources, and encouragement. Consider these ways to build a support network: Join local business associations: Groups like the Calgary Chamber of Commerce offer networking opportunities, resources, and workshops. Seek mentorship: Experienced business owners can offer guidance and insights that help you avoid common pitfalls. Hire professionals for specialized tasks: For financial and legal matters, work with professionals like accountants, lawyers, and bookkeepers. Tracking progress and making adjustments As your business grows, it’s essential to review your progress and adjust your strategies. Regularly assessing financial performance, customer feedback, and market trends can help you refine your approach and stay competitive. Working with one of the best bookkeeping services in Calgary can make tracking your financial performance much easier, giving you insight into profit margins, cash flow, and budgeting. Consider these strategies for tracking progress: Set measurable goals: Establish specific goals for growth, such as revenue targets or customer acquisition numbers. Analyze performance data: Use financial statements, sales reports, and customer feedback to assess performance. Stay flexible: Be willing to make changes to products, services, or marketing strategies if they aren’t meeting customer needs. Conclusion Starting a small business takes effort, planning, and ongoing management. By creating a solid business plan, organizing your finances, and developing a strong brand, you can set your business up for success. In Calgary, many new business owners choose to hire a bookkeeper in Calgary to ensure accurate financial management and stay compliant with local regulations. Taking advantage of the best bookkeeping services in Calgary can free up your time, allowing you to focus on growing your business and achieving long-term success. With dedication and the right strategies, your small business can thrive in today’s competitive market.

Training and networking day for those working in community, corporate, challenges & events roles in UK hospices: FREE for HIGN members £25 fee for non-members (or commitment for your hospice to take organisational membership - you MUST have your line manager's approval before booking if you are a non-member) 10am: Arrival & refreshments 4pm: Close Lunch will be provided at no extra charge, please specify if you have any dietary requirements when booking The day will NOT be online or recorded so that people feel more comfortable openly sharing.

Training and networking day for those working in individual giving, in-memory, legacy, data & supporter care roles in UK hospices: FREE for HIGN members £25 fee for non-members (or commitment for your hospice to take organisational membership - you MUST have your line manager's approval before booking if you are a non-member) 10am: Arrival & refreshments 4pm: Close Lunch will be provided at no extra charge, please specify if you have any dietary requirements when booking The day will NOT be online or recorded so that people feel more comfortable openly sharing.

Course Duration: Half-day or full-day session (with options for virtual delivery or multi-part series) Target Audience: People leaders, team members, HR professionals, and employees at all levels who want to foster a mindset of continuous improvement, learning, and innovation within their team or organisation. Course Objectives By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Understand what a growth mindset is and how it contrasts with a fixed mindset. Recognise the impact of mindset on learning, collaboration, leadership, and performance. Identify individual and team mindset behaviours. Apply strategies to shift thinking and encourage a culture of experimentation, feedback, and perseverance. Create an action plan to promote growth mindset behaviours in their workplace. Course Outline Module 1: Understanding Growth Mindset What is a growth mindset? (Based on Carol Dweck’s research) Growth vs fixed mindset: beliefs, language, and behaviours How mindsets impact learning, feedback, risk-taking, and innovation Common myths and misconceptions about growth mindset Module 2: The Neuroscience of Change and Learning How the brain learns and rewires through effort and repetition The science behind resilience, motivation, and behaviour change Reframing failure as feedback Why psychological safety is critical for learning cultures Module 3: Identifying Mindsets at Work Recognising fixed mindset triggers (e.g., fear of failure, comparison, perfectionism) Team culture audit: are we reinforcing learning or performance-only behaviours? Case studies: organisations that built growth cultures Self-reflection: where do I show fixed vs growth mindset? Module 4: Cultivating Growth Mindset Behaviours Shifting language: praise effort, strategy, and persistence—not just results Giving and receiving feedback to promote learning Normalising experimentation and learning from setbacks Encouraging reflective practice and continuous improvement Module 5: Leadership and Culture Shaping The leader’s role in modelling a growth mindset Embedding growth mindset into performance conversations, goal setting, and team rituals Aligning rewards, recognition, and development frameworks Avoiding the "false growth mindset" trap Module 6: Building a Growth Mindset Action Plan Identify 3 key mindset-shifting strategies for your team or organisation Personal mindset goal: what will you shift in your daily language or habits? Commit to culture practices: team experiments, learning debriefs, celebration of effort Optional: accountability partner and 30-day mindset challenge Delivery Style Interactive workshop format Storytelling, real-world examples, and reflection Pair and group discussions, case scenarios, and mindset mapping Tools and templates to apply immediately in the workplace Course Materials Provided Growth Mindset Field Guide Growth vs Fixed Mindset Behaviour Grid Conversation prompts and feedback scripts Personal Mindset Reflection and Tracker 30-Day Growth Culture Challenge Template Optional Add-ons Pre-course mindset diagnostic or self-assessment Leader/Manager booster session on modelling growth mindset Follow-up team challenge or learning sprint Integration with performance management or onboarding programs

Course Duration: Half-day or full-day session (with options for virtual delivery or multi-part series) Target Audience: People leaders, team members, HR professionals, and employees at all levels who want to foster a mindset of continuous improvement, learning, and innovation within their team or organisation. Course Objectives By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Understand what a growth mindset is and how it contrasts with a fixed mindset. Recognise the impact of mindset on learning, collaboration, leadership, and performance. Identify individual and team mindset behaviours. Apply strategies to shift thinking and encourage a culture of experimentation, feedback, and perseverance. Create an action plan to promote growth mindset behaviours in their workplace. Course Outline Module 1: Understanding Growth Mindset What is a growth mindset? (Based on Carol Dweck’s research) Growth vs fixed mindset: beliefs, language, and behaviours How mindsets impact learning, feedback, risk-taking, and innovation Common myths and misconceptions about growth mindset Module 2: The Neuroscience of Change and Learning How the brain learns and rewires through effort and repetition The science behind resilience, motivation, and behaviour change Reframing failure as feedback Why psychological safety is critical for learning cultures Module 3: Identifying Mindsets at Work Recognising fixed mindset triggers (e.g., fear of failure, comparison, perfectionism) Team culture audit: are we reinforcing learning or performance-only behaviours? Case studies: organisations that built growth cultures Self-reflection: where do I show fixed vs growth mindset? Module 4: Cultivating Growth Mindset Behaviours Shifting language: praise effort, strategy, and persistence—not just results Giving and receiving feedback to promote learning Normalising experimentation and learning from setbacks Encouraging reflective practice and continuous improvement Module 5: Leadership and Culture Shaping The leader’s role in modelling a growth mindset Embedding growth mindset into performance conversations, goal setting, and team rituals Aligning rewards, recognition, and development frameworks Avoiding the "false growth mindset" trap Module 6: Building a Growth Mindset Action Plan Identify 3 key mindset-shifting strategies for your team or organisation Personal mindset goal: what will you shift in your daily language or habits? Commit to culture practices: team experiments, learning debriefs, celebration of effort Optional: accountability partner and 30-day mindset challenge Delivery Style Interactive workshop format Storytelling, real-world examples, and reflection Pair and group discussions, case scenarios, and mindset mapping Tools and templates to apply immediately in the workplace Course Materials Provided Growth Mindset Field Guide Growth vs Fixed Mindset Behaviour Grid Conversation prompts and feedback scripts Personal Mindset Reflection and Tracker 30-Day Growth Culture Challenge Template Optional Add-ons Pre-course mindset diagnostic or self-assessment Leader/Manager booster session on modelling growth mindset Follow-up team challenge or learning sprint Integration with performance management or onboarding programs