The Peterborough Business Advisory Centre, together with Artbox is presenting Social Media Marketing (Twitter and Youtube): Let your Social Media work together February 19^th , 2013 at the GPA EDC 6PM-9PM

During this hands-on seminar, we will be going through real-world strategies that you should be using in Twitter, with case studies and examples to bring and attract new clients. Social platforms including Youtube, are effective if used in conjuction with your other online presense. We will be going through 3 strategies to get the most bang for your buck on Social Media.

 This seminar is a hands-on session so please bring your own laptop!

You can attend each seminar individually at a cost of $45/person/session or attend all three for $120.

Registration is limited to register early – http://socialmediamarketingwithwinston.eventbrite.com/

The workshop is being presented by Winston Bromley, President of Artbox, a Peterborough, Ontario webdesign studio that caters to Webdesign and  Multimedia Applications, including websites, logo design, banner ads, and emailers, as well as the Print world (brochures, posters, postcards,etc). Artbox is committed to deliver the best on the internet. From Search engine optimization (resulting in hig her Google and Yahoo rankings) to Social Media Training and Consulting such as Facebook Pages, Twitter and Youtube to creating  ease-of-use Websites using Content Management Solutions or even setting up your own Online Store.  

 For more information contact Brigid Ayotte 705-743-0777 ext. 2160 or by e-mail bayotte@gpaedc.on.ca

The Peterborough Business Advisory Centre, together with Artbox are presenting a series of hands-on social Media Seminars.

 January 29^th – Facebook Marketing: Get results in 15 Minutes a day or less.
In this hands-on seminar, learn how to take your Business marketing to new levels with Facebook, using proven online techniques that attract traffic and as well as engagement. Learn ways to automate the process so you can concentrate on your Business and get results in 15 minutes a day. This session is for people who have a basic to midlevel understanding of Facebook. Register online

 February 5^th – LinkedIn Marketing: Profit from the social platform with the best clients.
LinkedIn is where businesses and people with money go. In this hands-on Seminar, learn ways to attract these customers and clients, using LinkedIn features and as well as finding hidden gems and using them to your advantage, that most people miss. Register online

February 19^th – Social Media Marketing (Twitter and Youtube): Let your Social Media work together.
During this hands-on seminar, we will be going through real-world strategies that you should be using in Twitter, with case studies and examples to bring and attract new clients. Social platforms including Youtube, are effective if used in conjuction with your other online presense. We will be going through 3 strategies to get the most bang for your buck on Social Media. Register online

 All seminars are hands on sessions so please bring your own laptop!

Registration is limited so register early. You can attend each seminar individually at a cost of $45/person/session or register for all three for $120.

 The workshop is being presented by Winston Bromley, President of Artbox, a Peterborough, Ontario webdesign studio that caters to Webdesign and  Multimedia Applications, including websites, logo design, banner ads, and emailers, as well as the Print world (brochures, posters, postcards,etc). Artbox is committed to deliver the best on the internet. From Search engine optimization (resulting in hig her Google and Yahoo rankings) to Social Media Training and Consulting such as Facebook Pages, Twitter and Youtube to creating  ease-of-use Websites using Content Management Solutions or even setting up your own Online Store.  

 For more information contact Brigid Ayotte 705-743-0777 ext. 2160 or by e-mail bayotte@gpaedc.on.ca

The Peterborough Business Advisory Centre, together with Artbox are presenting LinkedIn Marketing: Profit from the social platform with the best clients, February 5th, 2013 at 6pm at the GPA EDC.

LinkedIn is where businesses and people with money go. In this hands-on Seminar, learn ways to attract these customers and clients, using LinkedIn features and as well as finding hidden gems and using them to your advantage, that most people miss.

 This seminar is a hands-on session so please bring your own laptop!

The workshop is being presented by Winston Bromley, President of Artbox, a Peterborough, Ontario webdesign studio. Winston Bromley is an internet and social media marketer who specializes in working with businesses and business owners across the globe to effectively use social media to drive more traffic and profit to their business. Winston has been working in Social Media since 2005. His online company, Artbox, specializes in web design, social media and mobile app development.

Registration is limited to register early – http://linkedinmarketingbac.eventbrite.com/

For more information contact Brigid Ayotte 705-743-0777 ext. 2160 or by e-mail bayotte@gpaedc.on.ca

The Peterborough Business Advisory Centre, together with Artbox are presenting 

Facebook Marketing: Get results in 15 minutes a day or less January 29^th,  2013 at 6pm at the GPA EDC.  

In this hands-on seminar, learn how to take your Business marketing to new levels with Facebook, using proven online techniques that attract traffic and as well as engagement. Learn ways to automate the process so you can concentrate on your Business and get results in 15 minutes a day. This session is for people who have a basic to midlevel understanding of Facebook.

This seminar is a hands on session so please bring your own laptop!

The workshop is being presented by Winston Bromley, President of Artbox, a Peterborough, Ontario webdesign studio.  Winston Bromley is an internet and social media marketer who specializes in working with businesses and business owners across the globe to effectively use social media to drive more traffic and profit to their business.  Winston has been working in Social Media since 2005.  His online company, Artbox, specializes in web design, social media and mobile app development.  

Registration is limited so register early!  Register online at http://facebookmarketingbac.eventbrite.com/

For more information contact Brigid Ayotte 705-743-0777 ext. 2160 or by e-mail bayotte@gpaedc.on.ca

What are the different types of business ownership and how do they differ? As Business Cultivator with the Peterborough Business Advisory Centre, I get asked this question a lot.

 Basically there are three types of ownership structures, sole proprietorship, partnership and corporation.

A sole proprietorship is, as it suggests, an (unincorporated) business owned by one person.  He/she is the single decision maker and therefore claims all the profits/losses.  As a sole proprietor you do not have a separate legal status from your business.  You pay personal income tax on the monies made by your business and all risks extend to you and your personal assets (including property).

A partnership is an association or relationship between two or more individuals, corporations, trusts, or partnerships that join together to carry on a trade or business[1]. Each partner contributes something to the business i.e. money, labour, property, or skills and in return, shares in profits or losses in the business.  Similar to a sole proprietorship, a partnership is easy to form but it is recommended that partners have some form of written agreement setting out rules for all matters relating to the business.  In claiming income tax, each partner would include their share of the partnership income/loss on a personal, corporate, or trust income tax return.  The partnership itself does not pay income tax or file a return.

A corporation is a separate legal entity that can enter into contracts and own property in its own name, separately and distinctly from its owners[2].  A corporation can exist even after the owners pass on.  A corporation continues to exist unless it winds up, amalgamates, or surrenders its charter for such reason as bankruptcy. A corporation’s money and other assets belong to the corporation and not to its shareholders. In formulating a Corporation, owners transfer money, property, or services to the corporation in exchange for shares and thus are referred to as shareholders.

A corporation must file a corporation income tax return (T2) within six months of the end of every tax year, even if it does not owe taxes. It also has to attach complete financial statements and the necessary schedules to the T2 return. A corporation usually pays its taxes in monthly instalments.

On Wednesday January 16^th, 2013 at 6pm, the Business Advisory Centre together with McColl Turner Accountants will be hosting a FREE information session on Small Business Taxation where this and other information such as, registering your business, bringing assets into your business, introducing GST/HST, introducing payroll and keeping accurate records will be covered.  You can register online at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5083876010, or by calling Brigid Ayotte at 705-743-0777 ext. 2160 or email bayotte@gpaedc.on.ca.

More information is also available on the Revenue Canada website!

Well maybe I am exaggerating a bit but the approach of tax season always has me feeling a little uneasy!   I know we are still full of turkey and dressing and all the  good things that go with Christmas and the holidays, but….tax season is just  around the corner.

If you have recently started a new business than the process of reporting your earnings will be something completely different for you and no doubt you may be a little apprehensive.  The key to simplifying the task is to be informed.  As a business owner you will want to know:

• What you owe
• How to accurately keep records
• How to report payments
• What credits you may be eligible for.

Some small business owners may opt to hire the services of an accountant, others may choose to do it themselves.  Regardless of what you choose,  it is still important to be aware of all applicable taxes.  Fortunately, Revenue Canada has numerous resources available on their website for small business owners.

The Business Advisory Centre also hosts monthly taxation seminars run by local accountants to also help answer any questions you may have  with regards to setting up a business, types of ownership, GST/HST etc.

If you are a new business owner looking to get a jump on the tax season or if you are thinking of starting up a business and have questions about applicable
taxes, plan to attend the “Small Business Taxation Seminar”, Wednesday January 16^th at 6pm at the GPA EDC – 210 Wolfe St..

For
more information or to register online go to http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5083876010# or call Brigid Ayotte at 705-743-0777 ext. 2160 or email bayotte@gpaedc.on.ca

In a 2005 article in BloomsburgBusinessweek entitled “Blogs will Change Your Business”, the writers, Stephen Baker and Heather Green noted back then that blogs were “the most explosive outbreak in the information world since the Internet itself.” 

 They were not wrong. In fact the use of social media has exploded exponentially since that article was written.  Some interesting facts from “The Social Media Revolution 2012 Why Social Business Matters”:

•  Facebook tops google for weekly traffic in the US
• It took radio 38 yrs to reach 50 million users
• It took TV 13 years to reach 50 million users
• It took the Internet 4 years to reach 50 million users
• It took IPOD 3 years to reach 50 million users
• Facebook added over 200 million users in less than a year
• There are over 200,000,000 blogs
• 25% of search results for the World’s Top 20 largest brands are links to user-generated content
• 34% of bloggers post opinions about products and brands

 If that is the case you better like what they are writing about your brand!

WE don’t have a choice on whether we do social media. The question is, “how well do we do it?” Nielsen estimates that social media and blogs reach 80% of all active US Internet users (of which there are 245 million). (Canadian statistics are just as high. If you’re not blogging or using social media in your business, you’re missing out on plenty of potential opportunities to increase brand awareness, identify prospects and strengthen relationships with existing customers. The vastness of that statistic indicates that if you aren’t on social media or actively blogging, your competitors probably are, forging relationships that could be yours.

Erik Qualman(Socialnomics)

Are you currently using the blogging platform as a marketing tool for your business? If not, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful marketing tools available to you and at very little cost, yet reaching maximum attention.

If you’ve always wanted to blog or learn how to blog for your existing business, this workshop is for you.

Shari Darling and Cora Whittington together with the Peterborough Business Advisory Centre will be presenting a seminar on “Blogging for Business and Profit” January 15th from 7pm-9pm at the Lakefield Community Centre – Neils Pind Room.

In this FREE 2 hour workshop you’ll discover the following:

• What is a Blog?
• What kind of blogger do you want to be?
• The power of your free marketing business plan — the blog I
• Is blogging right for you?
• How to find a niche topic for your blog.
• Choosing a blogging platform.
• Choosing a domain name for your blog.
• Content, length.
• Choosing effective titles.
• How to buy blogging content.
• How to get your blog into social space.
• Effective SEO and Statistics Measuring of your blog.
• Ways of making money from Blogs.

Register online or by calling Brigid Ayotte 705-743-0777 ext. 2160 or email: bayotte@gpaedc.on.ca

The Business Advisory Centre is pleased to present a small business taxation seminar given by McColl Turner Charted Accountants.

Starting a Small Business will provide you with information pertaining to:

• Types of ownership
• Registering your Business
• Bringing Assets into your Business
• Introducing GST/HST
• Introducing Payroll
• Keeping Accurate Records

and much more!

Register online: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5083876010 or by calling Brigid Ayotte 705-743-0777 ext. 2160 or email bayotte@gpaedc.on.ca

The attendees, speakers and staff of Elmhirst Resort made our last Creative Cocktail on December 3^rd, 2012 a festive and inspiring night. Photos…

Dan Taylor, President & CEO – Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (GPA EDC), began the evening with an informative introduction about the event and the Creative Economy. At this event, Creative Economy’s workers – the Creative Class and how they can be classified in the acronym T-A-P-E, were featured.

Andrea Dicks, Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough (CFGP), then introduced a new special feature of Creative Cocktail – Community Moment. She asked the group to finish the sentence “The Peterborough I wish to build includes…” and to follow and tweet to the hashtag #PTBOMoment.  Make sure to share yours! Want to learn more? Check out the CFGP’s blog.

Speakers of the night included Greg Elmhirst - Elmhirst’s Resort, Dani Stover - Wolf/KRUZ, Trent Gervais – Airport Manager, Anton Panchishin  – AppDev Ptbo,  Dr. Doug Lukiuk – Local Chiropactor, Greg Traynor -  Traynor Beef Farms, and Karen Jopling – GPA EDC.

You can find videos of the speakers and more information and resources on the Creative Economy here.

Happen to miss the last Creative Cocktail? Can’t wait for the next one?

Our next event will be held on February 12^th 2013 (6:30-9:30pm) in partnership with Artrepreneur at Peterborough’s spectacular Market Hall. More information and registration for Creative Cocktail can be found HERE.

Are you a creative professional looking for insight on what is coming next?

Are you an artist looking to hone your business skills, earn more money or have more time?

Are you looking to talk shop with other local arts, music, writers, dancers, artisans, theatre managers and designers?

Then you should attend the GPAEDC’s Business Advisory Centre’s Artrepreneur Workshop.  Central Ontario’s premier arts & business event returns to the Market Hall on February 12, 2013.

It is a challenging time, full of resets and upheaval.   The old models don’t work quite as well as they once did.   But disruption can be beautiful and can create many new opportunities.

At Artrepreneur II we will seek lessons in the reinvention of the music industry.  When Napster came along its business model blew up.  In order to survive (and thrive) musicians and labels had to change, take advantage of the technological shifts (that caused the disruption in the first place), redefine the relationship with fans and find creative new ways to make money.

Artrepreneur II will also feature workshops on setting prices and understanding value, writing an effective bio and promotional kit, picking the right distribution channel, bootstrapping facilities and creating a plan to help make your creative dreams come true.

Registration for Atrepreneur will open in January 2.  For more information contact: jpcoughlin@gpaedc.on.ca

I recently have had the distinct pleasure of becoming part of a group of incredible people through Sustainable Peterborough (SP). As Business Cultivator for the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (GPA EDC), I find myself wearing a number of hats, one of which is Co-ordinator to the SP Committee.

One of the conversations I find myself engaging in more frequently now is the benefits sustainable business practices can have on business operations. In an attempt to speak more logically, I have spent some time researching. Although I am by no means an expert….yet, the research I have done suggests that the answer to my title question is a resounding YES!

In the fall of 2012, a Canadian consortium of leading sustainability experts, Leapfrog Sustainability, featured on their website, a survey conducted by Accenture, a global management consulting firm. Over 250 senior business excecutives worldwide were interviewed to determine the relationship between sustainable business and commercial growth. The results were staggering.

The definitition of sustainability in the survey was “‘a company’s effort to drive profitable growth while achieving a positive economic, social and environmental impact” Something I have heard many times sitting around the table with the folks from SP. Overall the survey revealed that 78% of businesses agreed that sustainability is vital to the future growth of their business and 83% viewed spending on sustainable initiatives as an investment rather than a cost.

Bob Willard, a leading expert on quantifying and selling the business value of corporate sustainability strategies, describes in his book “The new Sustainability Advantage” numerous benefits that company’s can realize including:

• Increasing revenue by at least 9%
• Reducing energy expenses by at least 75%
• Reducing waste expenses by at least 10%
• Reducing materials and water expenses by at least 10%
• Increasing employee productivity by at least 2% •Reducing hiring and attrition expenses by at least 25%
• Reducing strategic and operational risks.

Although I am a relative “newbie” to the whole sustainability value proposition, I can’t ignore those numbers.

On January 17th, 2013, Bob Willard will be coming to the Peterborough Holiday Inn to discuss the Business Case for Sustainability. He will be joined by a group of local businesses who will participate in a panel discussion about how sustainable business practices have enhanced their operations. Tickets are available online or by calling Brigid Ayotte at 705-743-0777 ext. 2160 bayotte@gpaedc.on.ca