Post on 31-Mar-2015
Entrepreneur Support Network(ESN)
Thursday Dec 11 2008 Presentation for LEAP
Why an English Entrepreneur Support Network?
• Entrepreneurs and small businesses contribute to the development and economic growth of communities and regions
• Creativity, autonomy, leadership, responsibility are values upon which entrepreneurial culture is built
• Business networking is an essential quality which you must possess or develop to be successful in this competitive, rapidly changing world
• will help foster an environment where entrepreneurs can exchange and work together to identify and resolve challenges and opportunities
Why an English Entrepreneur Support Network?
• support English entrepreneurs in succession planning
• address demographic challenges facing this community locally
• Can encourage an intergenerational dialogue between youth and English speaking entrepreneurs
• Foster closer ties between education and the labour market through promotion of Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship and Networking
• 8.0% of Canadians were engaged in entrepreneurial activities in 2003. Quebec falls below the national average, with 7.3% of adults participating in entrepreneurial activities*
• Business networking is an essential quality which you must possess or develop to be successful in this competitive, rapidly changing world
* Canada GEM 2003 Report, www.gemconsortium.org
Beginnings…
2005 South West Quebec CEDEC began to explore promoting entrepreneurship
2006 Planning / organization
April 2007 First meeting in Huntingdon
Feb. 2008 First meeting in Châteauguay
June 2008 First meeting in Brossard
Since the April 2007 launch…• 10 meetings have been held
• 3 electronic news bulletins created and 2 “News from Fellow Entrepreneurs”
• Membership increased from 17 to 40 businesses
• Partnership developed with Southwest Business Journal (Journal d’affaires Sudouest)
Haut Saint-Laurent Chapter
Haut Saint-Laurent Chapter
Workshops held…• Time Management• Community Learning Center (CLC)• Marketing• Accounting and Bookkeeping• Website Design
• Setting up Displays
Upcoming Workshops…• Buying/selling online
• Obtaining government contracts
Châteauguay Chapter
Since the February 2008 launch…• 5 meetings have been held• Membership to date: 45 businesses
Workshops held• Financing Your Business • Business Insurance
South Shore Chapter
• Launched on June 9th, 2008• 12 entrepreneurs signed on to
the network – including 4 potential start-up businesses
• All participants completed a questionnaire in which they indicated where they wanted the network to focus in future meetings.
Ideas for Future Workshops
• Website Development
• Financial Strategies for the Business Owner
• Causes and Effects of Business Failure
• Get More From Your Business Cards
• Effective Advertising Practices
• Practical Advice to Tackle Difficult Business Challenges
• Juggling, Balancing and Letting Go – Time Management
• The Questions Behind the Interview Questions; Select the Best Candidate for the Job
Why Network?
• Generate business referrals & build connections – alliances
• For a start-up or small business, networking can generate business and provide a lifeline of support
• Networks are a key source of information and support
• 70% of new business is generated by word of mouth
• Networking is about relationship building – creating mutually beneficial relationships
• Raise your business profile in the community
• Networking is a long-term activity, not a quick fix
• Should be thought of as professional development which will widen your knowledge base and energize your business
Benefits of Membership in the Montérégie ESN Network
• Contact with English entrepreneurs across the Montérégie
• Bi-monthly, on-line ESN newsletter
• Entrepreneurship News You Can Use – Provincial on-line newsletter
• Regional and local seminars focused on what YOU want to learn
• Website with Members Directory. Quick Links, Notes & Bulletins
Next Steps…
For more information contactStacey Dakin, Director SWQ CEDEC
450 264 5558 / 1877 264 5558 Ext 229swqdirector@cedec.ca
Thank you!
Further Expansion across the Montérégie and eventually QuébecFunding agreement with Canadian Economic Development for Quebec Regions.Explore sustainability options e.g. Emploi Quebec, Foundations, Membership Fees etc..Hiring of a Coordinator