In a previous article we explored the risks and rewards of getting into export markets. Now that you’ve decided that the rewards outweigh the risks and that there’s a positive return-on-investment (ROI) in your export market plan, you need to start planning export market entry strategies. In this article we’ll review some of the steps…
Recruiting is one of the toughest issues organizations face today and finding the right candidate is crucial for business success. It takes a lot of time and money to be confident with a hiring decision, so if that chosen individual ends up not being the right fit for the role, it can be a detrimental…
When Canada’s federal budget was released on March 19, it gave Canadians another look at the Liberal party’s spending strategies. Like previous years, the federal government is staying committed to investment aimed at boosting the economy, especially as it relates to middle-class families. However, Budget 2019 also provided many great insights into the support businesses…
![[WEBINAR] April 10: Funding to Grow Your Manufacturing Business](https://www.mentorworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/bigstock-CNC-Laser-cutting-of-metal-mo-99526940.jpg)
The North American manufacturing industry is poised for growth in 2019 and beyond. Because of this, Canada’s vast supply chain of part manufacturers should explore opportunities to scale operations, become more productive, and improve worker skills to support tech innovation. Fortunately, government funding programs are available to offset the cost of manufacturing growth projects. This…
Virtual reality (VR) systems are receiving a flood of attention from software and technology developers. As one of the most exciting emerging sectors in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, VR is benefitting from considerable investment with the expectation that it will become a multi-billion-dollar space within the next decade. While applications are still…
Business process mapping is a lean management strategy that seeks to understand and eliminate sources of waste. Companies often rely on many processes to provide value to customers; by mapping how these processes work, firms can identify which activities add value and which activities cause friction in the process, making it less efficient. While most…
Targeted training programs for employee development can help Canadian companies scale operations and establish a competitive advantage. But despite the clear benefits of workforce progression, few organizations allocate enough capital to invest in upskill, leadership, and operational development. Organizations want growth, and the ability to sustain success in the constantly changing markets and competitive landscapes….
While there is greater gender equality in the workforce than ever before, there is still a gender divide amongst top leaders and entrepreneurs. Less than 16% of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses are women-owned, yet the full and equal involvement of women in the economy is essential to Canada’s competitiveness. Only 10% of high growth…
Virtual reality has evolved from science fiction to one of the most entertaining and educational platforms available. But the ascension of virtual realities hasn’t been as quick as many believe; there have been decades of labour-intensive research and development projects behind contemporary VR systems. While the pursuit of computer-generated, immersive worlds has been significantly accelerated…
Innovation Factory (iF) is a Hamilton, Ontario-based Regional Innovation Centre (RIC) that provides startup resources, programming, and mentorship to early-stage companies. Since 2011, it’s helped innovators commercialize their ideas and reach the next level of success while also supporting a more collaborative business community. As a member of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE), Innovation…