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Author: BizReflections

Grace Nasralla is the founder and senior business blogger at BizReflections. She is a Co-Owner at HUDDLESPACE which provides small business owners with offices for rent. This year (2024), Grace launched a loose leaf tea brand and named it Brew & Scone.
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A Light Beam in the Darkness of a Pandemic

light darkness

Despite the constant bad news and negative updates, we hear on Radio and TV stations these days, there is still a light beam in the darkness of this world. 

Babies are still born into this world every day, and with each birth comes hope for a better tomorrow. 

Live with Hope

Spring is dawning and we’ll see trees come to life and flowers blooming very soon.  In fact, we are already seeing and hearing birds chirping every morning, and the sun still spreads its rays to fill the earth with life and nourishment.

The coronavirus episode will soon be a story of the past, a collection of reports that will equip scientists with new evidence of how to prevent and maybe cure the virus for years to come.

Live in Reality

It’s OK! School work and extra-curricular activities can wait so our children stay safe and healthy.

It’s OK if we put a halt to our busy lives and remember that our health and other people’s wellbeing deserves some attention.

To witness and live a global pandemic is not easy if the world faces it with fear. Panic is taking over the lives of people even before the virus does!  The populace has to realize that there is always a beam of light in the middle of any darkness, and if the focus is on that light the journey back to “normalcy” will get easier.

Learn Life Lessons

Maybe we need to reflect on what’s happening in the world, reset our priorities and turn back to compassion, kindness and responsiveness to humanity.  Innocent people in war zone countries suffer from persecution, hunger, poverty and injustice. In their silence they scream for help. And in their despair, they yearn for someone to reach out to them with care.

Maybe this era of disorder and confusion will remind us of a God who is extending His hand of Love and Mercy to our world that is filled with misery and destruction.  Are we ready to hold on to that hand? Are we ready to reconnect with the creator and allow Him to draw us back to Him?

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I Am Woman: A Distinctive Identity

a distinctive identity

A Distinctive Identity

It may be a part of UN’s agenda to bring equality to gender, and that is a worthy cause. However, equality is not what defines a woman’s identity.  Yes, it will guarantee rights for women in countries that have deprived women their rights, but a woman is beyond just rights. A woman has a distinctive identity.

Who is a woman?

A woman is a MOTHER:  An influencer that shapes characters and personalities of presidents and kings. A care giver that nourishes the soul and the foundation that carries households.

A woman is a DAUGHTER: A joy giver that can melt the heart of a parent and overflow it with love and delight.

A woman is a WIFE: The stabilizer upon which her husband rests, the confident that allows him room to recharge and the lover that completes his journey.

A woman is a FRIEND: She Provides wise advice that is rooted in love, compassion and grace.

A woman is a PROFESSIONAL:  An initiator, a front-runner, an organizer, a decision maker, a loyal employee, an innovator, an inventor, an intuitive forecaster, creative, smart and eloquent.

A woman is a LEADER:  A driving force to a vision, the livewire to a team, an articulate negotiator and an ambassador for peace.

A woman is a COMMUNITY ACTIVIST: A strong believer in humanity, an advocate for the needy and the voice of the oppressed

A woman is AUTHORITY:  She has the ability to destroy or build, the power to influence for positive change or inflict destruction upon her surroundings.

A woman is BLESSED: She is created in God’s image to spread love and compassion.  Her body was built to carry the creation and delivery of humans. She has the ability to be a hand to the broken and a light in the darkness of misery.  Her weakness and power lie in how deeply connected she is with her creator, herself and with the world around her.  Her attitude determines her charm and her heart establishes her desirability.

A woman’s strength

Voice is not the only element that determines her strength, it’s rather the bridge that she can creatively build between the heart and the mind that makes her strong.

I am a woman and I am blessed.

Happy International Women’s Day

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Save Time And Money By Paying Your Taxes Online

Pay Taxes Online

Content provided by TELUS Financial Solutions:

Do you pay corporate taxes in Canada? Paying taxes can be a lot easier. No Cheques, No Forms, No Stamps.

Are you aware of all the ways digital tools can help solve your professional challenges? The transfer to Shift 2.0 is inevitable, so take advantage of the services that could help you save both time & money.

Let’s start with online tax payments. In addition to saving you a trip to the bank, the cost of a stamp and the time it takes to write a cheque, paying online will allow you to set up automated payments and monitor your finances closely and accurately.

According to a survey conducted by PMG in 2018, small and medium size businesses (SMBs) already paying taxes online were unanimous: it’s far easier, faster and more efficient than the traditional paper way. Still though, a third of SMBs are holding off. Their main concerns are the security of their transactions, the belief that it’s difficult, and the fact that they thought they lacked the necessary equipment.  

It’s worth dismantling these beliefs, because payments requiring two signatures can very easily be done online, online transactions are highly secure and nothing more is required beyond access to a computer with Internet access.

The Canada Revenue Agency can redirect you to the relevant pages of the various financial institutions that offer this service.

You could save time & money by paying your taxes online. Start experiencing the benefits of business tax filing & payments through your Canadian Financial Institution’s online banking today.

For a  list of supported Canadian Financial Institutions go to payyourtaxesonline.ca.

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BizExpo

bizexpo photo
resons-vs-excuses

Reasons versus Excuses

Often, we offer a reason or excuse when something didn’t happen, or is not done. Why is it we don’t spend as much energy on using a reason or excuse when something is successful, completed, or done?

By Cheryl Clark

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entrepreneurial-fear

Make A Lasting Impact

As business owners we drop the ball. As business owners we make mistakes. As business owners we screw up. As business owners our actions and our lack of actions has an impact.

By Cheryl Clark

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business-growth

“Validation” a Game Changer?

I see content as being educational pieces, creating awareness, providing opportunities that lead to sales, sharing accolades and accomplishments, and branding one’s self as an expert.

By Cheryl Clark

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dark web

How Dark Is The Dark Web?

Let’s explore what the dark web is and what we can do to keep our data safe from bad actors within this hidden part of the web.

By Jonathan Bullock

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A Leader’s Journey

What does management actually mean? Does it automatically make you a good leader? I mean just because you are gifted at what you do, doesn’t mean you will be able to step into your boss’s shoes, does it?

by Ritu Kohli-Sethi

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ground for sale

Setting The Grounds For Sales

With time and patience, our marketing tools become stronger until, at last, we’re selling regularly, having “transferred our feelings” to an ever-growing loyal clientele.

By Phyllis Cohen

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Blog

Blogging
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PERCEPTION: MAKE IT OR BREAK IT!

perception

Do start-ups, or maybe entrepreneurs in general, focus on their business, or do they get easily overwhelmed and distracted by competition? Is competition always a threat or can it be an extension to business objectives at times? Whether we make it or break it in this competitive world will depend on the perception that guides our business journey

Businesses have always struggled with the idea of being close to completion and in many cases, they have fiercely tried to find ways to fight competitors. Like any other business concept, things do fall back on how a business owner perceives competition.

Here are 3 ways to perceive competition in hope that readers will opt for the realistic choice:

An Enemy

Continue with the attitudes of the past and stay distant from competitors. If approached, reject and sadistically object their presence and continue to viciously bad mouth and fight them.

A Stranger

Embrace the passive approach. Take the attitude of “I recognize your presence, but stay away”.  As long the competitor does not interfere with my business I am safe and I can make gains.

A Lead

Reach out to competitors and meet them face to face. Ease down the perception that you may be a threat to them.  Share some best practices of the industry and exchange information that may benefit both parties.  Approach competitors with an open mind, be willing to give first so you may build trust. Work on establishing a relationship that will ease down existing boundaries and reshape them into boundaries that are built on respect and that will create a win-win situation for both businesses.

Yes, competitors can be leads and may be very good leads at times.  Strategize as you build relationships and stay focused on the objectives that you have set for your business.

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4 BUSINESS TIPS TO START OFF 2019

new year

The start of every year may be a proper time to work on setting new business goals and resolutions; after all, it’s the start of a new beginning that has major significance to the whole world.  Here are 4 business tips that will help you start off 2019.

  1. Review your vision for the business:  Starting off the year with eagerness and drive for the vision will help kick off the business year and set it in the right direction.  Evaluate where the business is at and set new milestones for 2019
  2. Categorize your mailing list:
    • Segment your audience and know who your clients are.  Stay in touch with them and seek their opinion and feedback.
    • Know how many leads were acquired during the previous year and make plans to increase this number by setting goals.
    • Pin point acquaintances and ensure to stay in touch with them during the course of the year.
  3. Review the products and/or services list, evaluate the performance of each item and based on that “keep, “discard” or “introduce NEW”.
  4.  Establish a realistic marketing strategy that is based on achieving goals and reaching milestones for the year.
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WHY SHOULD I STOP MULTI TASKING?

multi tasking

Inspirational Quotes

“Productivity is never an accident, it is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort”   Paul J. Meyer

Increasing Productivity

We only have a limited number of “productive” hours in a day. Making the most of these productive hours is key to success in any arena -and also a key to work/life balance, which we all strive for! Increasing your productivity is about getting deliberate about how you use your time! Here are a few tips that will help you increase your productivity: Assign how much time you are going to spend on each task and then track it and be sure to limit it. Even if you do not accomplish the task in that time – stop and move to the next. This will keep you on track and also make you use your time more efficiently. Take regular breaks! We seem to buy into the mentality that if we push on through we will just get it done and then it will be done – truth is that we are more likely to burn out, feel demotivated and stay stuck!! So make sure to schedule your breaks and take them and come back to the task at hand refreshed!! STOP multi-tasking!! While some think this is a strength and a productive way to work, it is actually counter-productive! It diversifies your attention from a task and so it ends up causing a loss of time and reduced productivity overall.

submitted by:

Tahira Bharmal, Success Coach at Authentic Factor. For more information please visit www.authenticfactor.com or email tahira@authenticfactor.com

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Setting The Grounds For Sales

ground for sale

Inspirational Quote

Selling is essentially a transfer of feelings.

Marketing vs. Sales

Marketing! Argh! … Sigh … As a small business owner with little time and resources, I often find it exhausting and overwhelming to think about marketing. With so many social media platforms, which one is right for me? How do I choose my networking groups? Should I partner with someone to provide complementary services? Should I pay for advertising in print or online? How do I go about finding opportunities to present? Should I invest in pens, keychains, flyers, decals, and cards? Oh my goodness! It’s important to know your target market and to be strategic. Rather than spread ourselves too thin, it’s better to focus on the tools that are right for you – where you can present your best self. Marketing takes clarity and effort. Likely, we won’t make the most advantageous choices in the beginning. But that’s okay. As clear as we may be in our future goals, there will be trial and error along the way. Even as we stumble on the path, we’ll get back up with perseverance and fortitude. That passion for our business keeps driving us on. With belief in the quality of what we’re offering, the reliability of our service, and honesty and kindness in our interactions, we forge relationships over time. We market to create “awareness” and to pique “interest.” We market to make human connections and build trust. With time and patience, our marketing tools become stronger until, at last, we’re selling regularly, having “transferred our feelings” to an ever-growing loyal clientele.

Submitted by:

Phyllis Cohen, The Canadian Pronunciation Coach, works with clients to Speak English with Clarity. For more information, visit www.canadianpronunciationcoach.com, or contact me directly at phyllis@canadianpronunciationcoach.com.

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PRIORITIZING INCREASES EFFICIENCY

prioritizing tasks

Every day brings with it new tasks, situations, and a to-do list that may get overwhelming. Thinking of the day ahead and the things that need to get done can be stressful and frustration may take over. One proven solution to stay in control is to apply prioritizing techniques.

Prioritizing what must get done in a day is a skill that anyone can acquire with a little bit of organization and discipline. However, learning to stay focused and focused on goals requires determination and persistence.

Each day, one gets to do planned activities and unplanned activities.  It is easy to prioritize planned activities. Applying a few prioritizing techniques will increase efficiency on a normal day.  As for the unplanned activities that unexpectedly come up, the best way to handle them is by making decisions that are focused on business goals.

Techniques that may help in the prioritizing process:

  1. Create a To-Do list the night before. Just work on a list without even thinking of what should get done first or last.
  2. First thing in the morning, get the To-Do list and read it carefully. Based on business goals for the day take out the tasks that may not seem important for that day.
  3. Number the remaining items on the To-Do list based on importance to the set goals for the day.
  4. Deal with unplanned activities that may unexpectedly arise, by making decisions that are based on daily goals.

During the prioritizing process, learning to say “No” may seem a difficult practice at first. However, it is a practice that needs to get done in order to stay focused on the prime tasks assigned for each day.

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TARGET MARKET VS TARGET AUDIENCE

target market

Entrepreneurs and small business owners may have the brightest business idea, but if they fail to identify their target market and their target audience they have set up their business venture for disaster.  A distinct target market is the number one element of a successful marketing strategy.

WHAT IS TARGET MARKET?

It is analyzing a business sales market with the ability to identify who will be most interested in the product and/or service it is offering… and why?  It is a segmented market whose interests are focused on the product and/or service a business is selling.

3 REQUIREMENTS FOR DEFINING YOUR TARGET MARKET

Research

Look at the demographics and geographic positioning of the market you are selling to.  Explore their social status:  their age, family size, education level, jobs they are holding, what area they live in, can they afford your product or services?

Segment Your Market

Based on your research divide your market and filter your data based on market interest and income status.  You may find that a segment of your target market can afford to buy your offerings at full price; while you may also find another segment of your market that is interested in your offerings but can only afford to buy them at a discounted price.

Know Your Customer Base

Connect with your customers regularly and occasionally survey their needs for what you are selling.  As your business grows, your client needs and social status may change.  Build a system that will keep your client base information up-to-date.  Your current clients already have an interest in your product/service and after all word of mouth will help you acquire new clients or even potential clients that are interested to follow your business.

WHAT IS TARGET AUDIENCE?

Based on its target market a business can then identify the group of people that may be interested to get their promotions and advertising material, or they may even be at the ready stage to buy a product!  That group of people can vary in terms of age, occupation, geographic location, family status, or income, but the only factor that makes that group the target audience is that they are identified as having developed an interest in your product/service.

3 REQUIREMENTS FOR DEFINING YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE

Knowledge of target market

The more you know about your target market the easier it is to identify your target audience.  If, for example, your target market is Women in high positions in the workplace; then in order to identify the audience it will help to know their management ranking.  Are they part of Senior management or are they in Junior management?  Are they involved in a decision-making process or do they just transfer recommendations through the company hierarchy, etc…

Surroundings matter

When the target market gets outlined it is also important to consider its surroundings.  If women in high positions, that make decisions in the workplace, are the target market, then the target audience will be these women along with anyone in their social and professional circles:  their subordinates, coworkers, direct reports, husband, partners, kids, and family members, fitness club friends, etc….

Purpose is Key

Define the purpose for providing your business offerings.  Is the purpose behind your product/service to enhance beauty? Or is it to facilitate logistics? Is it to develop your customer team? Or is it a food item that your clients or family members may be interested in?

Knowing the target market and knowing the purpose behind providing that specific product and/or service will definitely help the business define its target audience and stay focused on the needs to whom they are selling.  A distinct target audience is definitely the number one element of a successful sales strategy.

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PROMOTIONAL SOLUTIONS TO GROW A BUSINESS

news magazines

Most small businesses create their marketing strategies without considering the many online marketing tools available for them to use as they promote and create visibility for their business.  Here are three promotional tools that will help grow a small business.

Speaking at events

Becoming a speaker at events may require some effort to attend the different events that take place in a business area.  Joining business networking groups and becoming active members there may open up opportunities for increased visibility for a small business. In some groups, speaking at events may be offered as a benefit to members only.

Podcasting

Position your business as a leader in its business industry, and create podcasts that educate, inform or maybe create awareness about a product or service. Podcasting is a growing trend that will increase visibility for your business, and they make good content to post and circulate on social media platforms.

Advertise in a community newspaper

Community magazines are usually widely distributed and read by the public.  Find the community magazine that is most viewed by your business target audience and run an ad there for a few months in a row.  Ads are most effective when seen by the viewer repetitively.

Some beneficial promotional resources that are worth exploring are:

  • Bizbites (bizbites.ca) – a pool for business podcasts
  • Canadian SME – the #1 small business magazine in Canada.

More tools are available out there, explore opportunities and search for what works best to position your business as a leader in its own industry.

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GLOBALIZATION: IS IT GAIN FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS?

globalization

What is Globalization?

Globalization is the act of connecting and integrating people, companies, and governments of different nations, through international trade and investments; powered by the use of technologies. However, is the small business making use of that trend?

Now is the time for small businesses to flourish by increasing efficiency at a low cost. Indian and Russian web-based small businesses see the value that Globalization brings and are daily reaching out to Canadian businesses offering their IT services at minimal fees. Some Canadian businesses have jumped on board and are outsourcing the automation of their processes, thus saving thousands of dollars per year and at the same time increasing efficiency in their day-to-day transactions. Other companies like Zoho.com and Pamten.com are establishing headquarters abroad, saving on overhead and manpower costs, and at the same time increasing their revenue streams by selling services, that are executed abroad, to businesses across North America.

We also find that International e-Commerce giants like AliExpress.com have emerged along with many others that are following in their footsteps. And as we observe what’s happening we find that this expansion of e-stores is now causing growth for other small businesses such as courier services and logistics industry, money exchange, and online payments gateways. Yes, Globalization has affected small businesses not only in Ontario but across the Globe!

Has your small business found its niche in this Globalized new economy?

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3 WAYS TO REACH MOBILE USERS

mobile apps

One important business trend that is exploding these days is the increase in the use of mobile apps.  New apps get added to Apple and Google stores every day. Is your business ready to reach out to mobile users? Do you, as a business owner, realize the importance of reaching out to a mobile app audience?

3 Ways To Reach Mobile Users

Get a business Mobile app

Invest in having someone create a business mobile app that reflects your company’s business identity and environment.  That could be a more expensive and challenging option as you reach out to mobile users. However, it will open up new opportunities for marketing the business. Choosing to create an app requires a certain amount of creativity that will trigger handlers to download and use that business app.

Business Directory Apps

Subscription-based business directory apps help in creating a business presence among mobile users.  Some mobile apps have local businesses pinned on a map; others may have them listed with search engine capabilities. And in some cases, some may have both features included.  Make sure you subscribe to the local business directory apps as a reach out to mobile users.

Content

There are marketing services that feed into mobile apps.  Podcasts are an amazing marketing tool that is easy to link as a feed.  Subscribe to apps that feature existing podcasts that allow users to contribute content to their channel; that’s one way to increase business visibility among mobile users. Contributing content will definitely increase your business visibility, and in return, it will place you as a leader within your own industry.

The latter two ways are more cost-effective and doable for small businesses as they reach mobile users.  There are plenty of apps that provide local directory listings.  Find the app that is widespread in your area and subscribe to get your business listed there.

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IS BUSINESS NETWORKING A TIME-WASTER OR DOES IT REAP BENEFITS?

business networking

What is networking?

Google’s definitions for “Networking” are:

  1. Connect as, or operate with a network.
  2. Link computers to operate interactively.
  3. Interact with other people to exchange information and develop contacts, especially to further one’s career.

In business networking events we find all three definitions represented. We meet the people that are there to exchange cards, tell others about their business; with little interest they may wait to hear what others have to say in order to complete the networking process, but they do not engage in conversations that elevate the connection into a lead.

In the second meaning of networking google’s dictionary talks about connecting computers to create a network, but that reminds me of the people that attend networking events but barely connect with anybody, they are just there for the purpose of exchanging cards in order to get people’s e-mail addresses to add them to their mailing list in order to establish that computer connection.

The third meaning of networking is what true business networking is all about. Business owners interacting with other people to discuss business topics, exchange information, acquire contacts; of course for the purpose of developing and growing their business. This type of business networking will definitely reap the benefits for the business as that connection will turn into a good lead that will refer others to the business and that may turn into a faithful customer one day.

The success of business networking depends on the mindset one develops as they approach networking events. To reap the benefits for the time spent at a business networking event one has to be authentic about meeting people, show interest to know more about other represented businesses, reflect clear objectives when exchanging cards, develop a business connection that is built on respect and a willingness to contribute knowledge and exchange referrals.  Is your business wasting time or reaping benefits during business networking events?

Note: If you are looking for a reliable and credible business networking event in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada, visit www.ontariosmallbusinessnetwork.com.

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