Reaching New Markets - Selling to the AB Government                  No Charge

When:  Thursday, March 18

Where: Hanna Learning Centre Upstairs Meeting Room

Time:   12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Instructor: Chelle Busch – Service Alberta

The Government of Alberta (GoA) needs YOU – and your goods, services, and construction.  Selling to the GoA is not just an option for big businesses anymore.  Many small and medium businesses are ideally positioned to start selling their products to the government.  With over 2200 purchasers, they buy everything from agricultural goods and services to office supplies, and everything in between – and they’re posting opportunities daily for you to find.  This session helps you to understand the GoA’s buying practices, who buys what and how they’re purchased, and how to get onto their electronic tendering site – the Alberta Purchasing Connection – to start finding your opportunities!

Understanding Your Client: The Immigrant Entrepreneur          $35

When:  Thursday, March 19

Where: Hanna Learning Centre Upstairs Meeting Room

Time:   9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Instructor: Marie Gervais - Global Leadership Associates

This session is designed to help service providers to better understand the unique needs of their immigrant entrepreneur clients.  It will explore cultural differences in communication styles, business expectations and the necessities of adapting to Canadian business rules and regulations.  Participants will learn how to appreciate and explore business norms in diverse populations in Alberta.  Several successful immigrant businesses will share their experiences. Topics will include:

• Presenting information and resources in an effective way to ensure mutual understanding

• Assisting immigrants to understand Alberta employer/employee relations, rights and responsibilities
• Newcomer “in-roads” to the Alberta economy and marketing for diverse populations
• Pros and cons of hiring family, friends and associates within one’s own cultural community
• Dealing with discrimination and prejudice

Building Business Models That Work                          No Charge

When:  Thursday, March 25

Where: Hanna Learning Centre Upstairs Meeting Room

Time:   12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Instructor: novaNAIT

During the commercialization process, you want to develop your business to maximize the value of its products or services.  Known as “business modeling”, this session will address business development fundamentals such as: business planning, financial planning, manufacturing, marketing, and management structure.

So You Want to be an Entrepreneur?                  No Charge

When:   Thursday, April 1

Where:  Hanna Learning Centre Upstairs Meeting Room

Time:    6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Instructor: Microbusiness Training Centre

Entrepreneurship can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. It can also be filled with many challenges.  You first need to evaluate yourself to see if you have the necessary attitudes, abilities, and experiences to succeed in running your own small business.  This session will go over a skills inventory, whether you have the financial means to start a business, and what kind of business is suited to your skills and goals.

Employment Standards - Getting it Right                              No Charge

When:  Thursday, April 15

Where: Hanna Learning Centre Upstairs Meeting Room

Time:   12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Instructor: Employment Standards, Alberta Employment and Immigration

Do you have employees or are considering hiring?  Then you need to be aware of employees' legislated minimum rights.  Attend this presentation to get an overview of some considerations including hours of work, overtime and vacation pay, general holidays, termination, and much more.

Conducting Research and Development                  No Charge

When:  Thursday, April 22

Where: Hanna Learning Centre Upstairs Meeting Room

Time:   12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Instructor: Dr. Inder Pal Singh – SBI Fine Chemicals Inc.

Research and development (R&D) is an important consideration of most technology companies and how well it is done is often a determinant for success or failure.  So how do you conduct R&D?  Who should do it and when should it be outsourced?  How much will it cost?  This session will explore these questions, along with their implications to early stage technology companies.

Choosing the Right Business Idea                                   No Charge

When: Thursday, April 8

Where: Hanna Learning Centre Downstairs VC Room

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Instructor: Microbusiness Training Centre

How do you know if your new and exciting idea will be profitable?  Taking the time to do proper research can show you if you have a viable business concept.  At this session, you will relate the following to your venture: trends in your industry, the marketplace, statistics, your target market and your product or services.