Take Advantage of Programs to Help Build Your Business

It’s always a mystery to me that when help is offered, so very few people will take advantage of it. I know trainers and consultants who will offer a free hour of service to a room of 50 people, KNOWING that just a few, if any, will take advantage of the offer.

I believe that in order to succeed you don’t have to be the smartest, the best, the best looking, the nicest... none of those things. I believe that if you consistently “show up” – that’s 90% of the battle. Do what you need to do, be engaged, follow up, offer value – you’ve all hear these things before, but the trick is the implementation and the consistency.

As a business owner in Nova Scotia there are many organizations and resources available to us. Some are for free and some at a really low cost. There are also programs that provide financial support. Below are 3 programs that are being offered that I encourage you to investigate and take advantage of if it’s a good fit for you. Go on... go for it!

Export Prospector Program – Nova Scotia Business Inc.
Want to do business outside of the Maritimes? Need help financially to do so? NSBI has programs to help! Over the past year I have worked on about a dozen EPP projects, with clients taking advantage of this program up to 3 times to 3 different cities.

Go to www.novascotiabusiness.com/en/home/Grow/exportandtrade/exportprospectorprogram.aspx to find out the details of the EPP as well as other programs offered by NSBI.

I can help you prepare your application to submit to NSBI for funding through the Export Prospector Program. I will work with you to identify your goals and develop a strategy to promote your business in your selected region. I then set up face to face appointments with potential clients and NSBI pays my fees.

If I’m not the right consultant for you, there are others to choose from who specialize in a variety of areas and geographical locations that you may find a better fit for your particular initiative. NSBI will be happy to provide you with all the details.

The Nova Scotia Business Development Program

Economic Development of Nova Scotia offers this program. The details of this program are kind of broad. I did a project through this program recently with a client that included a total re-branding and website development of which they received a 50% reimbursement of the fees that were paid. The reimbursement limits are up to $10,000.

For full details go to http://www.gov.ns.ca/econ/nsbdp/ and contact the Rural Development Officer for your area.

Entrepreneurs' Forum

I am a volunteer advisor with Entrepreneurs' Forum and have been involved with several sessions with participating entrepreneurs over the past year. They have found them invaluable. They receive constructive, frank and supportive advice from business professionals in the areas needed by the entrepreneur... all for FREE!

See below how Entrepreneurs Forum describes their services and link through to their website for more information or to contact a Program Manager.

By working with volunteer advisors from the business community and employing staff with strong business experience, Entrepreneurs' Forum is better able to provide realistic suggestions and ideas. EF has developed formats for confidential business review sessions that provide the entrepreneur with a great deal of professional advice and the benefits of constructive criticism and brainstorming. Our volunteer advisors have strong business connections throughout Canada and through their personal networks can access advice, support and ideas well beyond what many entrepreneurs are able to find working alone. http://www.entrepreneursforum.com/opportunity/

Originally published in New Life Business Newsletter April 2011