Management
Is Telecommuting Right for Your Company?
A long standing practice embraced by companies both large and small, allowing employees to work from home has recently come under fire as employers review the pros and cons of flexible work arrangements.
Finding Management Efficiencies
Acting as a manager in a small business is never easy. It can also be difficult to know how to self-assess to make improvements to your own managerial activities.
3 Online Resources to Make Your Business More Efficient
Nearly every entrepreneur would like to be more efficient. After all, reducing the time and money spent on daily tasks means more resources to dedicate to improving your business – or the ability to take a little time off. Imagine that!
Out of Your Pocket and into the Shoebox: Systems for Storing Receipts
Business owners are used to doing it all. But it’s so difficult to stay on top of every aspect of the business; in fact, some might say it’s impossible.
Managing Remote Teams
Managing a group of employees is tricky at the best of times, and remote teams present managers and employers with their own unique challenges.
How to get more value from paid advisors
You’ll need a team of expert advisors to properly support your growing business, including a lawyer, an accountant, a marketer, a financial advisor and a small business banker. Some advisors charge a fee while others will not.
Take a vacation from email
Some call it the electronic leash. Unless you’re careful, emails will continue to tie you to the office while you’re trying to enjoy your summer vacation. And checking emails constantly may not seem like a vacation at all.
Vacation may strengthen your business
Planning and taking a vacation is essential to your health – and the health of your growing business.
Solutions Spotlight: Scotia Plan Writer for business
Perhaps the most important document for any new or established business is a Business Plan. Yet too many business owners fail to sit down and prepare or update one.
What to expect when you switch -Spotlight on Scotiabank’s Get Growing Switch Program
You likely have your own reasons to consider switching banks. For some business owners, switching is about economics – they want a better deal. A few more may switch to enjoy rewards and benefits. And others may value a richer banking relationship.
Getting the best from your suppliers
This may be a year for your business to do more with less. And that involves exploring creative solutions with the individuals and companies supplying your business.
Batch to get more done
Part of the fun of being an entrepreneur is trying out new techniques to get the work done.
Tips for networking success
Networking skills are essential to being successful in sales, lead-generation, establishing partnerships, recruitment and many other aspects of a flourishing business. Whether you are a natural communicator or a wallflower, you could benefit from creating a plan of action to expand your professional circle.
Is a flexible work schedule hurting your business?
One of the advantages of being an entrepreneur is setting your own hours, especially if you are a parent. A flexible schedule lets you pick the kids up from school, or take time off for sick days or field trips. And you know that you more than make up for those flex hours on evenings and weekends. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t affecting your business relationships
Handling difficult contract negotiations
Negotiating contracts is part of doing business for every organization. Whether you are looking for a new supplier, or selling goods and services to another company, your success depends on negotiating a profitable contract.
There are several ways a contract negotiation can go off the track.
Managing Petty Cash
Are you keeping your petty cash expenses on track? Elizabeth Verwey from Small Office Mentors shares important insights for Managing Petty Cash for your small business.
Managing Inventory
Inventory management is about balance. You don’t want to be caught short if people are buying your goods and services, but you don't want to hold so much stock that it affects your cash flow.
This challenge is brought into sharp focus for many businesses during the holidays: Ten percent of those surveyed in our poll said inventory management is their biggest holiday challenge.
Greening Your Workplace Made Easy
A greener workplace can help the environment, make your business a more pleasant place, attract employees, and perhaps e
Relocating you business
By Joel Scopelleti, Partner and operator of Carick Home Improvements (www.carickhome.com)
You've probably read the headlines about all the pink slips being handed out in the automotive sector. But while this is unfortunate news for many Canadians, many industries are experiencing sweeping labour shortages. A National Association of Manufacturers report predicts that manufacturers will need as many as 10 million new skilled workers by 2020. And the Mining Industry Human Resources Council estimates that the Canadian mining industry could experience a shortage of more than 90,000 workers over the next eight years.
Last-minute holiday tips for your business
The holidays mean different things to different businesses. For some small businesses, it’s the busiest time of the year; for others, it’s a slower period. Here are some business-building ideas that can help with your last-minute preparations, and can also be used throughout the year.
