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Surviving Cancer and Laughing
About It
101 Business's to Start for Under $1,000
Facilitating Workshops for Youth
How to Start a Home Based Business
The Transition from Employee to Self-employed
Basic Business and Dining Etiquette
Business Planning and Start-up
Exceptional Customer Service
Guerrilla Marketing
Hiring the Best
Marketing a Consulting Business
Starting a Cooperative Business
Proposal and Grant Writing
Public Speaking for the Totally Terrified
Running Successful Meetings
Manipulating the Media: How to Get Free Press and
Air Time
Surviving Cancer and Laughing About It
In July 2002, Bruce Lacroix was diagnosed with
Stage 3 Grade 3 bladder cancer. That August he took part in and
completed his first triathlon. In September of the same year, he
underwent three operations at once to remove his bladder and re-create
an alternative. With the support of his family and friends, Bruce
has overcome the challenges and now laughs at many of the experiences
he and his family went through. While cancer is a serious topic,
his experiences with the discovery, operations and subsequent life
changes are presented with humour and insight.
This topic is of particular interest to support
groups, physicians and care givers, families of cancer patients,
insurance companies, those who live with cancer patients and those
who face serious challenges in their lives.
101 Business's to Start for Under $1,000
From the traditional to the bizarre, for youth
or the newly retired, this fast paced presentation uses 101 real
examples and audience participation to get the point across that
opportunities exist everywhere. There are a lot of businesses that
can be started in your community for very little money. This workshop
is of particular interest to re-training programs, economic development
agencies, Chambers of Commerce, youth groups and government agencies.
Facilitating Workshops for Youth
Trying to connect with the under 30 crowd? Based
on five years of marketing and delivering the highly successful
Youth Business and Entrepreneurship Training Program (YouBET!) for
the British Columbia Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture.
Here are a number of tips and techniques on creating relevant workshops,
marketing them effectively, and then presenting in a manner that
"wow's" them and gets results.
How to Start a Home Based Business
According to a recent study by the Journal of Small
Business and Entrepreneurship, businesses in the home now account
for 71% of all new business start-ups in Canada.
Let us help you through the whole process, from idea to opening
day.
- business planning - See Business
Planning and Start-up, plus the following
- local, provincial and federal regulations
- financing
- simple bookkeeping
- tax considerations
- setting up the home office
- technology for the home office
- separating business from home life
- time and stress management
The Transition from Employee to Self-employed
Of particular interest to laid off government workers,
long time workers getting pink slipped, and recent retirees who
want to keep busy and make some money. Similar to How
to Start a Home Based Business, above, with additional sections
on:
- thinking like an entrepreneur
- marketing the consultant
- financial planning for the self-employed
Basic Business and Dining Etiquette
This workshops includes dinner at one of the better
restaurants in the market area, to practise what was learned in
class.
Manners have made a big comeback in the business world.
Those subtle but so important behaviours that our grandmother's
generation knew and practiced have not really changed much. But
without them, you could inadvertently be damaging your business
or career.
- Business Introductions
- Gender Issues
- Basic grooming and dress
- Etiquette in meetings and conferences
- Communications do's and don'ts: Phone, e-mail,
print, conversations. Invitations, RSVP's
- Body language, handshakes and eye contact
- 10 tips for any social situation
- 25 do's and don'ts at the table
- What your mother told you (or should have)
- Silverware and table layout
- Eating, from artichoke to watermelon
- Mastering the business meal
Business Planning and Start Up 
This workshop leads participants through all the steps
necessary to go from "idea" to "opening day".
In a logical sequence, and in understandable, everyday
terms, would-be entrepreneurs will learn all the steps necessary
to research, create and complete a viable business plan. This completed
plan will be for both their own use, and to attract potential lenders
or investors.
Not a "canned presentation", but tailored
to each individual and their business idea.
Participants will:
Learn how to do an accurate feasibility study of their
idea to see if the idea has a chance of succeeding.
Explore the characteristics of an entrepreneur, to
discover if self-employment really is for them.
Take a look at what they want from a business: financially,
personally and emotionally.
Then participants will learn how to gather the information
for their business plan, and how to put it all together. Topics
here include:
- Introduction
- Management
- Market Research and Analysis: product or
service, target customers, market area, competition, current market
analysis, summary of market analysis, market support
- Marketing Plan
- Operations: organization, location, equipment,
production process, suppliers, staffing, guarantees, professionals,
banking, advisors
- Laws and Insurances
- Financial Projections: personal budget,
cost analysis, pricing method, personal investment, start-up costs,
cash flow, projected income statement
- Risk Assessment
Exceptional Customer Service
Numerous studies show that businesses lose most customers,
not because of price, location or competition, but because of poor
customer service. Competent, friendly and knowledgable staff
increase your profits and keep those customers that you worked so
hard to get.
Interactive, fun, and practical. Exceptional Customer
Service works with you and your staff on the following topics:
- Just what is Customer Service?
- Remembering and using customer names
- Making conversation
- Positive first impressions
- Communicating clearly: listening,
body language, and speaking
- Knowing your community and providing
local directions and advice on the area
- Professional telephone communication
- Handling customer complaints,
using respect and empathy
- Cultural differences: awareness
of cultural and religious issues and how to effectively handle
them.
Guerrilla Marketing
Discover numerous ways to market your business or
organization using untraditional methods that work, and cost LESS
than traditional advertising. This is not a "sit and listen"
workshop, but a dynamic, hands-on and creative day. Includes after-class
follow-up. Guaranteed to give you at least 5 new ways to market
yourself, business or organization, or we don't invoice you.
- Three reasons why most traditional marketing does
not work
- What is Guerrilla Marketing
- General Guerrilla Marketing Tips
- The power of NINE
- Know your competition
- Create a Benefit Statement
- Specific Guerrilla Marketing Tips
- Your top 5 Guerrilla Marketing Methods
Hiring the Best
The success of your business depends upon the staff
you hire.
Highly interactive and hands-on, this workshop will help you find,
hire and keep the very best staff. Some of the topics covered in
this hands- on workshop include:
Preparing for the Interview
- Identifying what you want from and in an employee
- What to look for on an application and resume
- Identifying "resume cheaters" who falsify
their qualifications
- The value of an application form versus a resume
Creating an Environment Conducive to Applicant
Openness and Honesty
- The interviewer's attitude and demeanor
- The arrangement of the interview
room and furniture
- The specific techniques that
encourage applicant candor
- The type of statements that
discourage applicant openness and honesty
Step by step format for conducting a professional,
effective interview
- Three types of interviews, and when to use each
- The seven types of questions to use during the
interview
- The most effective way to design the question phraseology
Identifying Possible Deception During the
Interview
- Verbal and nonverbal behaviours that suggest deception
- Recognizing when an applicant is withholding relevant
information
- Using follow-up and clarification questions
to develop complete and honest answers
Marketing a Consulting Business
For independent, self-employed consultants in any
field who wish to learn how to market their skills and business,
and thus increase sales and income.
- Defining the "consultant"
- Knowing what you have to offer
- Finding the work: who hires consultants, and how
to find them
- Using the Internet
- Building your marketing portfolio
- 10 marketing tips for consultants
- When and why to turn down an offer
- Pricing your consulting services
- How to submit a consultant's proposal and
get the contract
Starting a Cooperative Business
Almost any type of business venture can be run as
a co-op. This workshop takes participants from co-op idea to everything
necessary to get the co-op up and running.
- Bruce Lacroix has worked with a number of groups
to help them learn how to start a co-op, go through all the necessary
steps, and run the co-op as a successful business venture.
- He is a past director of the Nelson and District
Credit Union, a financial cooperative, where he took courses in
co-op development.
- In addition, Bruce was a major contributor to the
business section of Co-operative by Design: Building Blocks for
Co-op Development, British Columbia Institute for Co-operative
Studies, University of Victoria ©2002. , the definitive how-to
manual for starting and running co-operatives.
- He also coordinated and facilitated the highly
successful Youth Business and Entrepreneurship Training (YouBET!)
Co-op Business Program for the BC Ministry of Small Business,
Tourism and Culture.
Participants will learn:
- A brief history of the co-op movement
- Values and Principles of cooperatives
- 5 basic types of co-ops
- Advantages and disadvantages of cooperatives, and
how they differ from corporations
- How to test the feasibility of their co-op idea
- Steps to starting a co-op, including recruiting
members, legal issues, incorporation.
- Financing the start-up
- Writing the business plan
- Running the co-op as a successful business
- Case studies and examples of other co-ops
- And lots more.
Proposal and Grant Writing
Very hands-on workshop. Designed for Canadian businesses,
organizations, not-for-profits, government agencies and individuals.
Learn how to create a proposal or application that lands you the
contract or grant.
- What goes into a winning proposal
- How to find grants and proposals
- Using the Internet: good sites
- Dealing with government
- Creating a team approach to writing proposals and
grants
- How to rise above your competition and get the
contract
- Pitfalls to avoid when writing proposals and grants
- Why price is not always the major issue in proposals
- How proposals and grants are evaluated
- The layout and "look" of your proposal
or grant
- How to think like the evaluators of your proposal
or grant
- 16 guidelines for writing proposals and grants
- How to get more money
Public Speaking for the Totally Terrified
Anyone can learn how to make a great presentation.
Managers, sales people, board members, potential politicians! This
dynamic workshop removes the fears and barriers to public speaking.
Bruce and Wendy Lacroix, (Advanced Toastmaster and Area Governor
Toastmasters - Kootenays) will guide you through the 5 steps, from
speechless to confident. We will explore:
- Why you are terrified
- What you can do about it
- Practise techniques to relieve fear
- Practise, make and critique short presentations
- Learn to feel comfortable and confident in
any public speaking situation.
Running Successful Meetings
"Boring and useless." Is that what you hear
or say after one too many wasted meetings? Your club, organization,
business or society will like this humourous and interactive workshop.
Learn:
- Why and when to have a meeting, or not!
- Why have rules at meetings, and which rules are
important to you
- 9 Steps to holding a great meeting
- Roles and duties of chair and secretary
- Sample agendas
- How to get people to speak up, or diffuse
the ones who monopolize
Manipulating The Media: How To Get Free Press And
Air Time
Why not? They manipulate us all the time. Great for
not-for-profits, small business, clubs, groups, organizations...
anyone who "wants to get the word out" in print, radio,
TV. Our team members have worked for media and know what it takes.
- Understanding how media works
- What's your message?
- Knowing your target audience
- Choosing the right media
- How to create a press release
- 7 tips to getting free press
- Getting an interview
- Handling an interview
- Handling negative publicity
- List of media contacts
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