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Customer service just isn’t enough. Customer experience is where the secret to success lies. Build a loyal and fruitful customer base by learning how to design frictionless processes and build empathetic and solution-focused services with our bespoke courses, which include: Customer service vs customer experience The changing nature of customers and how to stay ahead Customer needs vs customer expectations How our behaviour affects those around us and how to use the power of influence Communicating with customers positively and effectively Moments that matter Building trust and integrity What to do when things go wrong
How to start a small business and set it up for success
By Accountant Calgary
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.
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The Real Estate Analyst course has been taught non-stop to global real estate firms over the last 25 years, and is without doubt the core financial modelling training in your career portfolio. Whether you have an upcoming financial modelling test for a new job or an APC exam, the Real Estate Analyst course is the choice for you.
Sales and trade exist because people need and are looking for that which is better than what they have. Sometimes, they don’t even know that they have a need. The critical piece of this process is “connecting the dots.” We must demonstrate that we have listened respectfully, and, as experts, show how the needs are tied directly to our answer. Just because they have a need and we have a solution doesn’t mean that it’s a guaranteed sale. Connecting their needs to our solution is precisely what the Sales Presentation Skills class is all about. Outcomes – Participants will be able to: Research and understand each unique customer to demonstrate expertise; Conduct productive meetings to discover useful information to formulate the most effective solution(s); Propose plans that are fully aligned with the target’s situation and needs; Increase abilities to engage and motivate the prospect/client through compelling presentations; Convey emotional intelligence enthusiasm and sincerity to get client buy-in; Strengthen professionalism through dynamic story-telling, elevating the level of rapport; and Create positive messages even from negative, modeling a problem-solving, can-do attitude for the audience. Online Format—Sales Presentation Skills is a 4-hour interactive virtual class. Register for this class and you will be sent ONLINE login instructions prior to the class date. Overall, your professionalism, your teaching style, and the content of the course kept it interesting and easy to follow. We believe in what you have taught us, having tried it first hand, I can honestly say, your course works; your methods and ideas have proven themselves. I look forward to working with you again and again in the future. Alan M. Kriegstein, PresidentALA Scientific Instruments, Inc.
February 2025 - 1 Day Practical Heat Pump Surveying Course (5 CPD Hours)
By Building Metrix
This Renewables Technical Surveying training short two day course is specifically designed for individuals and companies that want to train themselves and their staff on exactly how to carry out Renewables Technical Site Surveying prior to any renewables installation measures, this includes for heating systems, solar systems and EV Charge point installations. The course is primarily aimed at Energy Suppliers, Equipment Manufacturers, Renewable Installers, Domestic Energy Assessors, Retrofit Assessors, Retrofit Co-ordinators, Renewables sales staff and suitable individuals with a basic level of knowledge in varying building structures, heating systems and varying renewable technologies.
PARTICIPANTS WILL ENGAGE IN A TRAINING SESSION TO IMPROVE AND REFINE THEIR RÉSUMÉS. OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE IN ONE-ON-ONE RÉSUMÉ BUILDING & REVIEW SESSIONS CAN BE OFFERED AS WELL. It’s time to move on—or maybe you’ve been “in transition” for too long. Either way, you need some input so that you know what others see when they look at your résumé, and what they hear when they interview you. Participants will engage in a training session to improve and refine their résumés. Opportunities to engage in one-on-one Résumé Building & Review sessions can be offered as well. Part I Data Collection and Organization – assessing work/activities and IMPACT (results) Success Story Format (Situation, Action, Results) Writing With Impact – how to tie actions to results Choosing The Right Words – transferable skills and powerful words Sales 101 – How will these skills benefit the hiring person’s organization? Part II UB4I Writing (“YOU”/ “YOUR,” not “I,” “me,” “my”) Reference list Principles of networking Cover Letter and Résumé Formats – margins, font, type size, small caps, etc. Role Play – Mock Interviews Participants will be able to: Create a complete and correct résumé, a marketing device to attract attention, generate interest, describe accomplishments, and invite contact. Discover, correct, and improve self-marketing messages, leading to a systematic assessment of specific work-related skills. Examine transferable skills and increase personal alignment with prospective organizational mission and goals. Online Format—Résumé Writing, Networking, & Interviewing Workshop 4-hour interactive virtual class. Register for this class and you will be sent ONLINE login instructions prior to the class date. After a two-day seminar, our attendees remained in their seats wanting more from Dr Atkins. His direct, yet challenging approach to presenting topics seemed to mesmerize the participants. Many very lively discussions were part of our workshop’s context. Personally, I am very interested in re-booking this type of experience every year for new leaders to undergo! Michael J. Whitlock, Director of Fay Corey Union & ConferencesSUNY Cortland
February 2025 - 1 Day Fundamentals of Solar PV & Storage Surveying Course (5 CPD Hours)
By Building Metrix
This Renewables Technical Surveying training short two day course is specifically designed for individuals and companies that want to train themselves and their staff on exactly how to carry out Renewables Technical Site Surveying prior to any renewables installation measures, this includes for heating systems, solar systems and EV Charge point installations. The course is primarily aimed at Energy Suppliers, Equipment Manufacturers, Renewable Installers, Domestic Energy Assessors, Retrofit Assessors, Retrofit Co-ordinators, Renewables sales staff and suitable individuals with a basic level of knowledge in varying building structures, heating systems and varying renewable technologies.
Selling Skills ► Into Action strengthens participants’ ability to apply a consultative, client-focused approach to the selling process. It is exercise-based, highly interactive and designed to yield results that can be put to use immediately. Outcomes – Participants will be able to: Identify and reach the most promising prospects to increase efficiency, Research and understand each unique customer to demonstrate expertise and ability, Conduct productive sales meetings that yield the best data to present the most effective solution, Present solutions that are fully aligned with the prospect’s situation and needs, and Work more effectively and resourcefully to close more business. ONLINE—Selling Skills ► Into Action is a 4-hour interactive online course. Register for this class and you will be sent ONLINE login instructions prior to the class date. Dr. Atkins, thank you for sharing ‘Language of Happiness and Power of Praise‘ with our chapter! We enjoyed the interactive presentation and your professionalism. I received positive feedback from our members—there is nothing better than that! Thanks again. Olga Otero, Chapter PresidentHuman Resources Association of Palm Beach County (HRPBC)
