Growing Your Business Archives - WeBC

When Customers Ask AI: Make Your Business Part of the Answer

Jenn — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:15:31 +0000

AI is changing the way people discover businesses. Instead of typing into Google, more customers are asking tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Perplexity for recommendations. The question is: will AI recommend your business?

Most small businesses are invisible in AI today—but that can change.

Join us for an interactive WeCafé session with WeBC Business Advisor Archana Samtani Singhania. She’ll explore AI Engine Optimization (AIEO), the new frontier of discoverability. You’ll learn practical steps to help AI “see” your business clearly so you can show up in answers, not just search results.

We’ll cover:

What makes AI search different from traditional SEO
How AI chooses businesses to recommend and the key signals it looks for (plus ways to strengthen them)
How to make your business info clear and consistent, and use conversational content and FAQs to boost visibility
Common mistakes that keep businesses hidden from AI, and how to avoid them

Join us for this informative, interactive session to learn actionable strategies to position your business for the AI era!

Facilitator: Archana Samtani Singhania, WeBC Business Advisor

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Elevate Your Pitch: A Fireside Chat on Authentic Communication for Growth

Jenn — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:09:05 +0000

Ever stumbled when someone asks, “What do you do?” You’re not alone. Crafting an elevator pitch that feels genuine (and memorable) takes more than a script.

Join us for a candid fireside chat with Trisha Miltimore, a dynamic leadership expert and WorkLife Wellness Activator who has spent 25 years helping professionals ignite their impact without burning out. Trisha will share practical insights and personal stories on how to speak with clarity, confidence, and authenticity when introducing yourself and your work.

In this interactive fireside chat, we’ll explore:

How to shape your story so your elevator pitch feels natural—not forced
The 3 Vultures: mindsets that sabotage confidence—and how to rise above them
Simple, empowering ways to show up with greater visibility in conversations
Tools to communicate your value and strengthen connections in networking moments
How to step boldly into your own voice and own your impact

Whether you’re meeting new clients, networking, or pitching your ideas, this is your chance to learn real-world strategies that make your message resonate—plus ask your questions in an open, supportive environment.

Host: Dawn McCooey, Management Consultant
Facilitator: Trisha Miltimore, WorkLife Wellness Activator & Leadership Expert

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Ready, Set, Bid! Navigating Government Procurement:Learn How the Government Bidding Process Works

Jenn — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:40:21 +0000

The latest federal budget makes it clear that Canada wants to open more doors for businesses of all kinds, including women-owned companies, to work with the government through procurement. There’s never been a better time to get involved! Understanding how federal procurement works, from identifying opportunities to navigating the bid process, will improve your strategies and save time.

Understand the decision-making process behind government procurement Identify practical ways to start selling to the federal government Get your questions answered by people who know the system from the inside.

Learn How the Government Bidding Process Works

Get ready for upcoming government opportunities by learning how the bidding process works. We’ll break down the steps, so you know what to expect and how to prepare your business to respond confidently.

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Ready, Set, Bid! Navigating Government Procurement: Understand Government Requests and Getting Registered

Jenn — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 21:08:51 +0000

In this session, we’ll break down the different ways the government asks businesses for goods and services, using simple explanations for terms like RFP (Request for Proposal), RFSO (Request for Standing Offer), and RFSA (Request for Supply Arrangement). If your business offers something the government always needs (a “mandatory commodity”), we’ll show you how to find those opportunities.

We will also guide you through how to register in SAP Ariba, the online system the government uses to work with suppliers. Registration is essential because without it you may not be able to see or apply for certain opportunities. Many businesses miss out simply because they are not registered, so we will ensure you understand exactly how to get set up.

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Ready, Set, Bid! Navigating Government Procurement: Sell Professional Services to the Government

Jenn — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 20:09:22 +0000

WeBC is partnering once again with Procurement Assistance Canada (PAC) to help you explore the possibility of selling to a major client—the Government of Canada! Whether you’re a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, there are opportunities to sell your product or service to the government. As the largest purchaser in Canada, the government buys a wide range of goods and services, many of which come from small and medium-sized businesses like yours. The latest federal budget makes it clear that Canada wants to open more doors for businesses of all kinds, including women-owned companies, to work with the government through procurement. There’s never been a better time to get involved! Understanding how federal procurement works, from identifying opportunities to navigating the bid process, will improve your strategies and save time.

Join WeBC and PAC for this free interactive series to learn how to: Understand the decision-making process behind government procurement Identify practical ways to start selling to the federal government Get your questions answered by people who know the system from the inside

Session 1: Sell Professional Services to the Government Learn how to find professional service opportunities that fit your business. This session provides essential information to help you understand how your services align with federal procurement needs and how to decide if an opportunity is a good match. You will learn about the procurement tools the Government of Canada uses to purchase professional services, including ProServices, Task and Solutions Professional Services (TSPS), Task and Solutions Based Informatics Professional Services (TBIPS and SBIPS), and Learning Services. The session also covers how to register your business in the Centralized Professional Services System (CPSS) ePortal, and how to identify and assess professional service opportunities that fit your business.

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A Guide to Government Contracts: How to Sell, Understand and Deliver: Ask Barry and Sarah-Anne: Live Q&A on Federal Procurement

Jenn — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 19:03:16 +0000

Have questions about selling to the federal government? Don’t miss this open Q&A session with Barry Payne and Sarah-Anne Hrycenko from Procurement Assistance Canada. Whether you’re just starting to explore federal sales or looking to deepen your understanding of the process, this is your chance to get personalized advice and insights directly from those who know the system.

Panelists: Barry Payne & Sarah-Anne Hrycenko, Procurement Assistance Canada

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Inside the Buyer and Contracting Authority’s Mind: How Federal Procurement Works

Jenn — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 21:03:00 +0000

Ever wonder what the federal government buys and how the process works? This session takes you inside the journey of a federal buyer and a contracting authority—from identifying a need, developing the requirements, to posting a tender. You’ll learn who the key players are, how procurement methods are selected, and how requirements are shaped.

Led by Procurement Assistance Canada, this session is designed to help suppliers understand how solicitations are developed and how to make the most of the question period.

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A Guide to Government Contracts: How to Sell, Understand and Deliver: Three Easy Steps to Low Dollar Value Contracts

Jenn — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 23:11:03 +0000

Low Dollar Value (LDV) contracts can be a powerful entry point for small businesses selling to the federal government. Join Barry Payne, a seasoned entrepreneur who has sold over $200 million in goods and services to the federal government—starting with LDV contracts. He’ll walk through the three simple steps that helped him get started and grow. Barry will share real-life lessons, practical tips, and insider insights drawn from his experience.

Panelist: Barry Payne, Supply Team Leader, Indigenous Entrepreneurship Centre of Excellence, Procurement Assistance Canada

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Step-by-Step Market Research: On-Demand Course

Donique Dwyer-Nembhard — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 23:44:37 +0000

WeBC is delighted to present this self-paced course, which uses exercises and examples to guide small business owners through the process of conducting market research.

“Step-by-Step Market Research: Build a Viable Business” is part of our SMART Program series, so you can work through the content on your own schedule on our On-Demand Learning Platform. The course is designed to help you understand key concepts, work through interactive case studies, and complete activities that apply the learning to your own business.

About the Course

Successful businesses don’t rely on assumptions, they use market research to minimize risk and maximize success.

Understanding your customers and staying ahead of the competition requires more than just a great idea, it demands insights backed by research. Are there enough customers to sustain your business? What gaps exist in your industry that you can fill? How much are people willing to pay for your product or service? These are just some of the critical questions market research can help you answer.

Effective research not only guides your business decisions but also strengthens your case when applying for loans or pitching to investors by providing concrete evidence of your market potential.WeBC has created this three-part module jam-packed with tools, tips and resources to help you explore best practices for interpreting data, making strategic business decisions, and identifying opportunities to stay ahead of the competition.

This module includes three chapters, which each take about one hour to complete:

This course is available in English and French.

Thanks to funding from the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, this program is currently free!

Learn more >>>

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Sample Employee Orientation Checklist

Chaunda Honkonen — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 02:00:41 +0000

A strong start leads to long-term success! Our Employee Orientation Checklist helps you create a smooth and organized onboarding experience, ensuring new hires feel welcomed, confident, and ready to contribute from day one.

A well-structured orientation improves employee engagement, boosts retention, and sets the stage for productivity. Download your free checklist today and give your team the best possible start!

Looking to improve your Human Resource management? Explore our free on-demand course, “HR for Small Business: How to Hire, Retain & Lead Your Team.”

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Strategic Planning for the Growing Business

WeBC — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 14:15:00 +0000

A Practical Guide

Strategic planning is essential for the success of any growing small business. This guide provides a practical framework for matching your business’s strengths to available opportunities. Learn how to collect and analyze information about your business environment and gain a clear understanding of your business’s strengths, weaknesses, mission, goals, and objectives.

Key Benefits of This Guide:

Proactive Planning: Understand why proactive planning is crucial in today’s business environment.
Real-World Examples: Learn from the “A Tale of Two Businesses” example, illustrating the importance of strategic planning.
Step-by-Step Guidance: Follow the outlined steps in developing your strategic plan, from creating a mission statement to setting goals.
Comprehensive Business Plan: Discover the key elements of a well-structured business plan.
Effective Implementation: Learn how to implement your strategy through communication, scheduling, and control systems.

Download our guide to get started today!

Want to boost your business skills? Check out our self-paced SMART Programs! These free courses are designed to help you understand key concepts, work through interactive case studies and complete activities that apply the learning to your own business. Learn more >>>

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Inventory Management in Wholesale and Retail

WeBC — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 11:20:00 +0000

Inventory is often the largest asset for retail and wholesale businesses. Managing it effectively is key to reducing costs, improving cash flow, and growing your business. By controlling your inventory, you can avoid common pitfalls like overstocking, stockouts, and wasted capital—all while improving sales and customer satisfaction.

In retail and wholesale, success depends on having the right products, in the right place, at the right time.

This guide provides actionable insights to help you:

Track and Control Inventory: Eliminate shortages and reduce excess stock.
Optimize Reordering: Use smart forecasting to meet customer demand without tying up cash.
Maximize Profitability: Improve inventory turnover and free up capital for business growth.

Download our comprehensive guide to start managing your inventory with confidence.

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