Small Businesses – How to Start a SMB

Numerous e-payment processing solutions exist on the internet, and for a merchant choosing one can be a complex task.

However, there is one famous company that deserves real attention from merchants: Prodigy Payment Systems.

Prodigy Payment systems was founded in Texas by four Dallas citizens. Ethics and Integrity are core principles of the company, and integrated within every business process.

Several types of e-payment processing solutions are offered by Prodigy Payment Systems, to small, medium and large businesses in the United States.

Among those solutions, please note the followings:

- Credit card processing

- Gift and Reward cards

- The total retail merchant solution

- Debit card processing

- Check processing

- Wireless payment processing

- and EBT

Read the rest of this entry »

Global Value Chains

A focal point to share knowledge and information on global value chains.

Global Value Chains Conference

This conference periodically brings together representatives from government, academia, think tanks and businesses to present findings, current initiatives, ideas and views on global value chains.

High Performance Manufacturing

Information on Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and other high-performance manufacturing techniques to help Canadian manufacturers improve their performance.

Logistics and Supply Chain Management (SCM) Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Analysis

Benchmarking tool for firms and policy makers.

SME Direct

Diagnostic and benchmarking tools, relevant databases and a wealth of other resources to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with decision making.

Source: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/h_00149.html

Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce

Code that provides a benchmark for good business practice for merchants conducting commercial activities online.

Canadian e-Business Initiative

Information on e-business adoption and use, tax and investment rules, and other e-business resources.

Commercial Printing — Electronic Business

Information on how to do business on the Internet.

Electronic Commerce Branch — The Digital Economy in Canada

Information that supports and facilitates the continued growth of e-business in the Canadian economy.

ebiz.enable

Easy-to-use website that helps small and medium-sized enterprises make informed e-business decisions and succeed.

Electronic Commerce Technology Suppliers

Directories of companies working in the information and communications technologies sector.

Retail Trade — Electronic Business

Information to help small and medium-sized Canadian retailers determine what role the Internet could play in their operations.

SME Direct

Diagnostic and benchmarking tools, relevant databases and a wealth of other resources to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with decision making.

Student Connections

Initiative that hires and trains post-secondary students and recent graduates as student business advisors who then provide small and medium-sized business with on-site customized Internet training, assessments and e-commerce services.

Canadian Industry Statistics

Data analysis of Canadian industry sectors using the latest annual data sources from Statistics Canada.

Managing for Business Success

Information, tools, advice and management solutions for owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses.

Performance Plus

Financial performance tool helping firms determine how they measure up to the competition including sales, number of employees, inventory, wages and rental costs.

Small Business Research and Policy

The Small Business Research and Policy website includes an extensive collection of Industry Canada research on small business and entrepreneurship, together with links to other sites and comprehensive statistics on Canadian small businesses.

SME Direct

Diagnostic and benchmarking tools, relevant databases and a wealth of other resources to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with decision making.

Steps to Competitiveness

Numerous interactive management and diagnostic tools geared to the issues and needs of small and medium-sized growth-oriented service firms.

Other Resources

Interactive Business Planner

Business-planning software to help entrepreneurs prepare a business plan for a new or existing business.

Source: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/h_00147.html

Business Information by Sector

Business information specific to industrial sectors.

Canadian Training Solutions for Workplace Learning

Information for employers on the benefits of training and its applications.

Community Futures Program — FedNor

Programs and services supporting community economic development and small business growth.

Competition Bureau — Businesses

Tools and services to comply with Canadian competition laws and meet mandatory requirements for the marketing of consumer products, merger pre-notification, and portal for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s).

Corporate Social Responsibility

Concept of integrating social, environmental and economic considerations into business decision making.

Corporations Canada

Responsible for administering corporate laws governing federal companies including incorporation and related services.

Funding Technologies for the Environment

An inventory of funding and incentive programs to help develop, demonstrate and deploy environmental technologies.

Manufacturing 20/20

Provides Canadian manufacturers with an overview of Government of Canada programs and activities that exist to help them remain innovative and competitive in the global marketplace.

NUANS^® Name Search System

Search system that compares proposed corporate names and trademarks with databases of existing corporate bodies and trademarks.

Paperwork Burden Reduction Initiative

Partnership aimed at reducing the costs to small businesses associated with paperwork and regulatory compliance.

SME Direct

Diagnostic and benchmarking tools, relevant databases and a wealth of other resources to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with decision making.

Other Resources

BizPaL

Information for entrepreneurs and business owners on permits, licences and other approvals needed to start or grow their business.

Business Development Bank of Canada

Financial, investment and consulting services for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises.

Business Start-Up Assistant

Information on market research, business name and structure, preparing a business plan, financing, taxation, hiring employees, doing business on the Internet, and more.

Canada Business: Services for Entrepreneurs

Key business services and information from across the Government of Canada.

Online Small Business Workshop

Techniques for developing business ideas, starting new ventures and improving existing small businesses for entrepreneurs.

Source: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/h_00145.html

The SDEVM, which is also a Centre local de développement (CLD), offers and coordinates front-line accompaniment, networking, technical and financial services. Our programs are designed for start-up and existing small and medium-sized businesses in the private and non-profit (social economy) sectors.

Our business services are guided by the SDEVM’s role, which is to be a front-line source of entrepreneurial information.

We also maintain close ties with organizations that support entrepreneurs through each step of their business growth.

Business background
The Société de développement économique Ville-Marie (CLD) has been operating since October 1998.

Hundreds of businesses have received advice through our offices since the SDEVM (CLD) was founded. Today, these businesses employ some 1000 people and have annual sales of $55 million. We also manage $4.4 million in the Local Investment Fund.
Read the rest of this entry »