Welcome to our newsletter...in it we have information, articles, events to help you propel your business forward. It's in a blog format so it allows you to comment, add ideas, tips and suggestions. We can dialogue together...Enjoy the read because it's all about helping you.
April 2009:
There is huge economic and business opportunity in diversity...The rewards for doing business in diverse markets abounds and we are in control of our own destiny...
I want to focus on opportunity this newsletter. I am just getting it up to here with the negative economic news.
There are key markets and sectors that are in fact growing. One of which is a major trend happening in Canada. That trend is that newcomers to Canada are becoming the new normal. Over 57% of all Toronto residents are new immigrants.
What does this mean from an opportunity perspective? It means we embrace new immigrants, welcome them to Canada and into our communities.
New immigrants come to Canada in search of a better world. A place away from the war, the politics and the oppression they've witnessed in their own countries.
From an economic perspective new immigrants present beautiful opportunities.
One thing that's evident is that they need stuff. Gone are the "brand" relationships they had back home. They are open to new brands. Brands like toothpaste, soaps, household goods.
They are open to training programs, settlement programs and becoming a viable part of the community.
New immigrants come to Canada for various reasons...one is as a refugee escaping a bad socio-political situation and the other key is to actually begin businesses here in Canada. The agreement they make to come to Canada is an "economic" agreement and they are to open up a business within the first year of arrival.
Did you know that the Ontario government often hosts training programs for newcomers to Ontario on how to do business here. The Ministry of International Trade and Investment hosts half day clinics that help newcomers get familiar with doing business in Ontario.
Can you imagine tapping into this niche?
Begin to market to various ethnic communities. But market smart, focus on one ethnic group and really begin to carve out a niche within this sector.
On May 17th on the Small Business Big Ideas Show, we will focus on doing business in Ontario from a new immigration point of view. I invite you to listen to a full discussion on why it makes sense to pay attention to those new to Canada. Let's open our hearts and minds and work effectively, forging partnerships and business relationships with this segment of the population...I guarantee that if you do, you maybe generously rewarded.
There is another sector that's getting attention and that it's in the area of Social Purpose Enterprises. Businesses like co-ops, or businesses that help those that are disadvantaged. Take A-Way courier for example.
It's a courier company that is giving those that suffer with mental illness a chance to contribute. They are employed and paid as couriers. They don't drive or ride bikes to do the work, they are only allowed to ride the TTC subway and buses. A-way is a viable and successful business that gives marginal individuals to have something to look forward too. It offers their employees hope so that they are relevant, and making a contribution.
Other co-ops that assist individuals in need includes the Somali Woman and Children's network. They help Somalian women new to Canada earn money buy providing cut and sewing services to clothing, furniture and manufacturing organizations.
Social Purpose Enterprise Networks is an organization that helps and assists businesses that are doing business with a heart. Businesses that help those that don't normally have a chance to succeed in "mainstream" companies.
The third industry profile is the business of going green. There is an organization of "Green" businesses in Toronto called Green Enterprise Toronto. There are an increasing number of businesses that are doing business from a more ecological and socially responsible vantage point. In a recent article in the Financial Post, it even indicates that "Green" is here to stay,"To call environmentalism a mere "movement" today is to underestimate the hold it has over us. Sustainability is no longer a sphere dominated by activists and special interests; it can be found in every aspect of our lives, whether in curbside recycling programs or corporate initiatives or political speeches. Today, green is mainstream, and nothing - not the recession or cheap oil or resurgent consumerism - is going to stop it".
http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=1419566
Businesses doing "Green" range from the Organic Coffee House to the Clothing supplier that sells Hemp or Organic cotton clothes that use a vegetable based dye.
Green Enterprise Toronto is a collective of companies that are making a difference and they are tapped into the City of Toronto and other socio-political initiatives that are slowly making a difference in how we're going to business in future.
The fourth and last business opportunity is with respect to doing business with the Government. Did you realize that the Province and the Federal Government are the biggest industries in Canada? They use and need business equipment, products and services like no other company in Canada.
It's a market and industry that puts out tenders regularly for companies like yours to do business. Log onto www.merx.com to access government tenders. If the amount is negligible than you don't even have to go the tender route you can just go direct to the end user at government level.
If you want to access the largest organization and do business with them, you can actually get on the supplier list and take workshops that help small businesses do business with the government.
Caring for people new to Canada, caring for those that are disadvantaged and caring for our environment. It's where the opportunity is and it's where money and investment needs to come from...
If you think that the government is going to constantly fund these initiatives, think again. These sort of community initiatives are being funded and supported by the small business community.
It amazes me that when we are overwhelmed by the economics of the day, that if we get together in the spirit of opening up to new possibilities, to healing our world, to love and joy, that the small business community can really thrive and be on the forefront of leadership, change and making the planet a great place to be.
For more information on Social Purpose Enterprise call:
Catherine Lang
C. Lang Consulting
513 Crawford Street
Toronto, ON M6G 3J9
(416) 588-7129 Phone
(416) 588-3275 Fax
For information on doing business in Ontario for Newcomers contact:
Ministry of International Trade and Investment-Business Immigration Dvision 416-212-8866 Phone 900 Bay St. Hearst Block 3rd Floor Toronto, Ontario
For information on Green Enterprise Toronto contact:
Leslie Domenico
Marketing & Membership
Green
T: 416-644-1012
Public Works and Government Services Canada
4900, rue Yonge, 2ième étage, Toronto ON M2N 6A6 | 4900 Yonge Street, 2nd Floor, Toronto ON M2N 6A6
ONT.bpme-osme@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca | ONT.osme-bpme@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca
Téléphone | Telephone 1-800-668-5378
Télécopieur | Facsimile 416-512-5200
