Small businesses in Canada’s evolving food and beverage manufacturing industry have new opportunities to grow their business in export markets. Increasing worldwide demand for high-quality Canadian products, in addition to a weakened Canadian dollar, has created additional opportunities for manufacturers to develop international relationships. A popular export expansion strategy is to participate in trade shows…
Attracting and retaining skilled labour is an increasingly difficult challenge that many Canadian businesses must overcome. In 2014 nearly 60% of businesses responding to a Management Issues Survey by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) indicated it was one of their primary concerns. To eliminate this challenge, the Canadian government is now offering increased assistance through…
The Automotive Supplier Innovation Program (ASIP) was created as part of the Economic Action Plan 2015. This Canadian government funding program will provide up to $100 million over five years (2015-2020) to encourage automotive suppliers to develop new innovative products and processes that will make Canada more competitive on a global scale. This program was…
According to several Canadian business publications, staffing and human resources challenges remain a primary barrier to growth. These challenges include finding skilled workers, improving productivity, and planning for impending retirements. Attracting and retaining quality employees should be an ongoing process that, over time, mitigates these challenges and builds a highly efficient company. Canadian small businesses…
Editor’s Note: Details of the Canada Summer Jobs program are subject to change at any time; details on this page were accurate as of the posting date. To learn about current program details, please contact Mentor Works or visit canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/youth-summer-job. Providing relevant, high-quality job opportunities to Canada’s youth ensures that a new generation of professionals can…
Since its inception in 2008, the Canadian government funding program Automotive Innovation Fund (AIF) has awarded over $468 million in support. This funding fuels automotive R&D projects aimed at improving fuel-efficiency and lowering the environmental impact of automobiles. Canadian businesses awarded with funding include Toyota, Ford, Linamar, and Magna International. The program was renewed in 2016…
Nearly a year ago, CBC reported on former Industry Minister, James Moore’s meeting with executives from leading automotive companies. In an ongoing effort to strengthen Canada’s automotive sector, Moore has been working closely with Ford, Toyota, Chrysler-Fiat, and Honda to secure additional investments in their Canadian operations. “I’m very positive and very confident that we’ll…
As Canadian small businesses begin operations for the 2016 calendar year, many will begin implementing new strategies that adapt to changing market conditions. The low value of the Canadian dollar will continue to influence Canadian export growth, with new opportunities opening globally. Ensuring that your business can adapt to these changes will provide immediate and…
Massive amounts of high-quality data enables businesses to make calculated decisions that fuel competitiveness, profitability, and success. In a landscape where owners and executives need to be agile and definitive with their decision making, being able to gather and process big data provides a critical advantage over competitors. Big data analytics, the ability to process…
2015 showed Canadian business owners and executives that uncertainty is the new ‘normal’ for operating a firm. With major shakeups in the Canadian economy, federal government, and international business factors, nothing can be taken for granted, and businesses must be willing to go beyond expectations to stay alive. Having reported major trends affecting business during…