Canadian government funding provisions in Canadian federal budget 2016

Federal Budget 2016: A Shift in Government Funding Priorities

As previously explored by a fellow Mentor Works team member, Alex Barlow, the Liberal Government presented their first budget, and with it has come significant reflection on the election campaign and the direction this government will take the country. Throughout the campaign and early days of his government, Prime Minister Trudeau made it clear that…

Marketing and Branding Strategy for Small Business

Create a World-Class Logo with these 6 Branding Principles

Branding plays an important role in our capitalistic society. It takes a product or service and transcends it beyond its features and specifications into something that consumers form an emotional bond over. This bond leads to consumer loyalty, defending and endorsing brands, and a willingness to pay more solely for the brand. Apple has evolved…

How Can Canadian Businesses Upgrade to ISO 9001:2015?

ISO 9001:2015 Updates: Is Recertification a Worthwhile Investment?

Being able to develop a product, service, or business that can be exported to foreign markets provides a sustainable advantage for Canadian firms. Although Canadian businesses are typically known as global leaders for quality products, being certified under an international quality standard will help businesses to engage in additional trade opportunities. For many Canadian businesses,…

IBM Innovation Incubator Spurs Innovation In Ontario Tech Industry

IBM Innovation Incubator (i3) Fosters Tech Development in Ontario

Ontario small and mid-sized technology companies often face technical challenges when developing innovative products and services. In order to develop innovative technologies, businesses must have access to high performance computing equipment and other resources that enable creativity, productivity, and collaboration. To harness the power of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), post-secondary research institutions, and high…

Reducing Scope Creep in your Canadian Small Business

Scope Creep: The Unplanned Cost of Complex Projects

Project Management Professionals (PMPs) were once commonly sought out for niche fields such as ICT and construction, but many businesses are beginning to utilize project management and product management standards to help run their business more efficiently. The benefits of utilizing standardized and centralized processes for managing projects goes beyond efficiency gains. Some small businesses,…

How to Find and recruit Top Talent with Canadian Government funding

Resource: How to Find & Recruit Top Talent

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…

Exporting into United States

New Exporters to Border States: Ontario Manufacturing Workshops

Ontario manufacturers have unparalleled access to business relationships in the United States. Close proximity to U.S. border crossings increases the speed of delivery times, reduces risk, and ensures a consistent and reliable export relationship. For decades, Ontario manufacturers have benefited from these relationships for decades, however early-stage manufacturers often face knowledge barriers that prevent their…

Kaizen: The Road to Continuous Improvement

Kaizen: The Road to Continuous Improvement

Kaizen, a Japanese word for “improvement”, is often used in business environments to implement and improve standardized activities & processes. Introduced by Toyota after World War II, kaizens have now become common practice in the manufacturing industry to continuously improve methods or procedures that increase productivity, eliminate waste, and/or reduce costs. However, with the vast…

Goal Setting and Teamwork: The Pillars of Business Success

Goal Setting and Teamwork: The Pillars of Business Success

I have always been expected to work hard and be a high achiever, perhaps because I was raised in a traditional Chinese family. My father was extremely influential in shaping this dynamic; relationships and parties were off limits until my university studies were complete. By age 20, I had never gone out to a club,…

Canadian Business Funding Guide

3 Tips for Businesses Applying for Canadian Government Funding

Most small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada have difficulty understanding the process of applying for government grants and loans. Between researching the Canadian government funding program they’re applying for, completing an application, and submitting it to a government agency for review, most SMEs have a difficult time investing the time and resource required to…