FINANCIAL POST
T H U R S D A Y, J A N U A R Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 6
WHAT ARE YOUR BUSINESS GOALS FOR 2016?
UPCOMING EVENTS
Calgary entrepreneurs share what they will strive for in the new year “In 2016 we will be able to ship our truffles and chocolate bars across North America, including same day delivery in Calgary. We will expand our courses and add truffle making, larger events and kids events. We’ll expand our manufacturing capabilities to supply other retailers and manufacture ‘make at home’ chocolate. 2016 is a year of significant growth, and I thank Calgarians for your support in Choklat, and bean-to-bar chocolate.” Brad Churchill, CEO at Choklat, sochoklat.com
“My business goal this year is to add products to our primarily service-based company. We teach and train in education and languages, and now we want to add some products to our line-up. We’re lined up to add at least four brand new books to launch in the summer. Speaking of launching, that’s the other big goal we have. Learn how to launch and implement. Prior to reading ‘$100 Start Up’, whenever I had a new idea to start I just threw it out there for everyone to start. Now I’m learning the art of building some momentum, as well as how to get a following before I launch my new ideas. Here’s to 2016 being the best year so far!” Sara Dasko, CEO at Free Mind, freemindls.com
PH OTO S UPPL IED BY : K RI ST I A N B O G NE R
“My business goals for this year are for attainable growth! In the past we have been very excited for the growth of Wean Green but it has taken its toll and unfortunately we let it grow too quickly and felt plenty of growing pains. This year we are only allowing growth that our systems can handle so that we don’t find ourselves in those same situations that we have in past years. Cheers to a fabulous 2016!” Melissa Gunning, CEO at Wean Green, weangreen.com
“Break the paradigms that kept me from moving ahead. Those barriers, now I understand, were more related to my own person rather than the market’s or the other people.”
Jay Santos, business development & sales at Bioarchitecture, bioarchitect.ca
“Finding ways to constantly stimulate my sense of creativity is my goal for 2016. Having this goal in mind, positive and great new ideas will be born. I will take these new ideas and put them into action which will create change in myself and the business. These changes will contribute to the growth and profitability for the business. I’m excited and look forward to what lays ahead in 2016!” Laura Pierce, president at LP Human Resources Inc., lphumanresources.com
“My goal this year is focus: on my existing clients, on enlarging my ideal client engagement and growing my business. I am adding new products to the mix and working with new partners. Very exciting!”
Ave Peetri, director of Confident Marketing Coach, confidentmarketingcoach.com
“We’ve been receiving growth every month, however, we are noticing the average past due on our receivables from our clients increasing. This is no doubt due to the downturn in the economy of our province. Our goal for 2016 is simple, to help our clients survive and thrive with a robust social media marketing program.”
“We look back at the last 12 months, celebrate the wins and focus each area of our lives – relationships, family, business, health, lifestyle, personal growth and so on. I then set intentions about the goals I want to accomplish in the coming year for each area.”
JANUARY 27: MISSION: SHIFTYYC EVENT – SHIFTING YOUR CAREER PATH Recognize if you’re in a career rut and how to jump out of it. ■ Where: John Fluevog Fluseum, second level (207 8 Ave S.W.) ■ When: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. ■ Admission: Non-members: $30, Members: Free. More info at eventbrite.ca, search “shiftYYC” For more great events, visit capitalideascalgary.com/ calgaryevents.
C A P I TA L QUESTION
How do you know when it’s time to launch your business?
“To support my clients in achieving their business objectives. To support the growth of crowdfunding and give businesses access to capital and more people access to rewards or returns. To help businesses balance people, planet, profit. To do interesting, rewarding work that makes a difference, and pays the bills.” Victoria Bennett, principal at Bennett Milner Williams Consulting Ltd., bmwconsults.com
R O U N D U P : R E C E N T P O S T S F R O M C A P I TA L I D E A S M E M B E R S From “A minimalist guide to entrepreneurial reflection” by Laura Bechard, business and executive coach at Bexco Business & Executive Coaching:
JANUARY 19: BIZCONNECTIONS JANUARY 2016 Meet, mingle and munch with other entrepreneurs, professionals and service providers. ■ Where: Bow Valley College North Campus Room N124 (345 6th Avenue S.E.) ■ When: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. ■ Admission: Free. More info at businesslink.ca
Shawn Alain, president of Viral In Nature, viralinnature.com
The above answers are in response to a question posed by Capital Ideas. Here are some of our plans for the year: Our big goal for 2016 is making sure we are providing value to Calgary’s entrepreneurial community and shining a light on the many business owners who make our city great. One way we’re doing this is with another full slate of events planned, with panels of great Calgary entrepreneurs speaking on different business themes each month. Some of this year’s topics include social media, creatively funding a business, failing forward, running lean and rethinking traditional business models. Be sure to sign up as a Capital Ideas member at capitalideascalgary.com to get our newsletter and stay updated on what we’re up to.
Find the full posts on these members’ LinkedIn profiles or at their website. We’ve been curating a selection every Friday in our LinkedIn group, Capital Ideas Alberta. If you’re using LinkedIn for work and your professional network, be sure to join our group and stay connected with us.
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CAPITAL IDEAS
C A P I TA L Q U E S T I O N
Dawn O’Connor, productivity ninja at Think Productive Canada (thinkproductive.ca) says their focus is on marketing, lead generation and sales. “Think Productive is growing globally, so my goal in Canada is to build brand awareness through social media, content marketing and speaking engagements across the country, along with sales of our ‘How to be a Productivity Ninja’ book in all major bookstores. We have lots of happy customers and feel confident in our services delivery of productivity training to reduce stress and save time - but we need more customers to continue growing!”
CA LG A RY H E R A L D
(appguys.ca):
From “Looking ahead: Mobile will be even bigger in 2016” by Ryan Hnetka, founder of App Guys Inc.
“Some major trends saw this area dominating digital marketing this year, but the statistics give us a look at what to expect in 2016, and it will be the year of ultimate importance for mobile in business.”
From “2016 - It’s All About QBO” by Brad Celmainis, president at Brad Celmainis Consulting ( bradcelmainis.com):
“You hear “cloud this” and “cloud that” a lot these days, but using cloud based technologies really does make you more productive. I’d love to show you more about how QBO can benefit your business on many levels.”
Whether it’s researching and judging if the market is ready for your product or trying to get everything needed just right, there are plenty of things that happen before opening a business. That’s why Wellington Holbrook, executive vicepresident of ATB Business, wants to hear when the move should be made: How do you know when it’s time to launch your business? You can answer the question in two ways: Open today’s Capital Ideas email if you’re a member or visit capitalideascalgary.com We’ll publish the best answers, along with your business name and website address, on Jan. 21. And join us Jan. 28 for a panel discussion on starting a business, RSVP at capitalideasyyc13. eventbrite.com.
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