Exporting is one of the most important growth strategies used by businesses across Canada. Nearly 73,000 Canadian small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) leverage new markets and opportunities outside of the country by exporting goods or services. This, however, only accounted for 11.8% of SMEs in Canada signaling that there is reluctance among Canadian businesses to grow exports.
When Canadian SMEs are asked what is preventing them from growing their exports, many cite currency fluctuations, risk management, and accessing financing as their top concerns. While these are significant issues, they are also manageable concerns that businesses can navigate to increase their exporting success.
Small business owners and executives should develop strategies to grow and minimize international market risks. That includes both offline and online solutions, such as optimizing your website and online presence to ensure that you prove yourself as an online authority in front of your prospects and customers. On September 20, 2016, small business managers will have the chance to learn how to formulate and execute these strategies during a free workshop hosted by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Export Expansion Strategies & Funding: Event Details
Growing your business internationally doesn’t need to be risky. Many support services are available to reduce the risks that businesses face, from financial to legal, or even political risks. Understanding how to avoid or mitigate these risks is essential to any SME export strategy.
Join the Municipality of Chatham-Kent as they host speakers from Mentor Works, Western Union, and HUB Creative Group for a discussion on export financing strategies.
Event Agenda – What You Will Learn
- 8:00-8:30am: Registration, Networking & Refreshments
- 8:30-9:00am: Introductions
- 9:00-9:45am: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) (HUB Creative Group)
- 9:45-10:30am: Export Expansion Government Funding (Mentor Works)
- 10:30-11:00am: Foreign Exchange Risks & Strategies (Western Union)
Register for this SEO & Export Expansion Event
Use the button below to register for this small business funding event.
When: September 20, 2016; 8:00-11:00am
Where: 565 Richmond St., Meeting Room 1A, Chatham, Ontario.
Cost: FreeRegister Now
SEO & Export Expansion Strategies: Event Speakers
Kerri Raposo – Business Development Executive, Mentor Works Ltd.
For over 15 years, Kerri has led manufacturers towards improved quality assurance programs and sustained financial growth. She offers a grounded insight to a wide range of business issues, from operations management to strategic financing opportunities. As a Business Development Executive at Mentor Works, Kerri routinely works with businesses from a variety of industries to become more competitive within domestic and international markets.
Belinda McCulloch – Business Development Executive, Western Union Business Solutions
Belinda has over ten years of experience in the financial services industry and has worked with companies of various sizes and industries to evaluate and reduce risk exposures. She strives to help each business attain their unique goals in regards to sending and receiving payments and to equip businesses with the tool to effectively manage their exposure to currency fluctuations- allowing businesses to benefit from specific expertise while maintaining control and direction of their needs and goals.
Mel Francis – Senior Corporate Risk Manager, Western Union Business Solutions
Mel helps businesses minimize the impact of currency movements on their profit margin by implementing a tailored FX risk management strategy. She has previously worked on the Foreign Exchange desks of BMO and National Bank and has accumulated more than 10 years of experience in FX Structured Products. Mel Holds a Bachelor degree in Economics as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Finance.
John Lyons – Brand Builder, HUB Creative Group
John Lyons is a Partner and Creative Director/Digital Media at HUB Creative Group – a full-service digital marketing agency with offices in Chatham and Windsor. HUB Creative builds brands, websites and digital marketing strategies that get results.
Free Download for Attendees Only: Top 3 Canadian Government Funding Opportunities
As a special thank-you for those in attendance, Mentor Works will provide a complimentary PDF download that details the top three government funding programs available to Canadian SMEs. This sheet contains an actionable list of government grants that will help your business access export expansion funding.
This reference sheet will only be provided to event attendees. To ensure your business does not miss out, please register now.
Register Now
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