Access to Professionals: Halton Region’s Access to Professionals Program can connect you with a local professional for a free 45 minute consultation. Professionals in our group include lawyers and accountants, marketing, human resource, insurance, import/export, website, e-business experts and business coaches. Contact the Small Business Centre at smallbusiness@halton.ca to refer you to this program.

Business Banking and Credit Discussion
A one hour overview of steps towards a successful credit discussion with any lender.  Points of interest include:  different credit solutions, the importance of investing in your own business, and being a good credit risk. These are casual, interactive small groups of five or less. Get more information or Register Online Now!

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA)  
Ontario is developing accessibility standards to identify, remove and prevent barriers so people with disabilities have more opportunities to participate in everything this province has to offer.
The Accessibility Standards for Customer Regulation is now the law.
The province's private and not-for-profit sectors will need to meet the requirements by 2012.

• Human Resources
  You may have to work double time until you can justify one new employee. When you hire people, make sure that you fully understand your responsibilities of having employees.
• Incorporating
  For a growing business moving to an incorporated company there are many advantages such as tax benefits, liability protection, name protection and access to financing.
• Franchising
  Franchising is a fast way to grow your business if your business has a good system in place. Consider franchising if your business is consistently profitable, has a unique concept, can appeal to people almost anywhere, easy to set up and operate and easily duplicated.
• Financing
  A growth stage business often needs resources to take the next step. Maintain good communication strategies with your banker. If you get turned down for a loan, don’t stop there, take all the advice you can get and try again.
• Exporting
  There are many resources and websites to help you export. Use Halton's Economic Development site to determine which sites would benefit you depending on whether you are a potential exporter, preparing to export or an active exporter.
• Importing
  Many entrepreneurs find products they may have had in their country of origin and they would like to import them to Canada. Other businesses find similar products at lower costs outside of Canada.
• Innovation
  If you are willing to innovate to grow your business, there are resources that can help you to bring your business to the next level. Research funding and experimental tax credits are just some of the resources that can help make your idea profitable.  
• Marketing
  It is easier to sell more to your existing customers that to find new ones. When expanding your business don’t forget your current customers – they are the reason your business has grown.

   

And Growing...

Other resources to grow your business:

• Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
• Canadian Business, Money Sense and Profit Magazine
• Halton Region Public Libraries Online Databases 17KB - The public libraries of Halton Region offer many services to support small business owners and operators. Among those services are free online databases.