AUTHOR ARCHIVES :

Can a Non-Citizen Start a Business in Canada?

It stands to reason that recent immigrants in Canada hope to take advantage of the country’s prosperous opportunities. However, many are unsure if they can legally open a business in Canada without first becoming a citizen. And applying for Canadian citizenship is often a costly and time-consuming process, despite the many benefits one may reap once their application is approved.

Office buildings in Canada

If you’re currently awaiting your approval or you’re not ready to move forward with your application quite yet, you will probably be pleased to learn that you are completely capable of starting your own business in Canada without being a citizen.…

Continue reading →

Finance 101: Everything You Need to Know About Investing in Technology Stocks in 2019

The tech industry is by no means limited to big players; there are also tech startups, website and software developers, etc. From hardware to software, the tech industry is just ripe with opportunity. However, most stock investors would agree that investing in it is risky business – since things can literally change overnight in the world of technology, a company can vanish at the snap of a finger.

Technology stock investing

To determine whether this is something you want to be dabbling in or not, let’s take an in-depth look at the subject and examine everything you need to know about investing in technology stocks in 2019.…

Continue reading →

5 Ways to Instantly Modernize Your Marketing Campaigns for 2019

If you’re looking toward 2019 wondering what you can do differently from last year, you certainly aren’t alone.

Reassessing your tactics is always a smart move, after all.

Marketing strategy

Think about it. You don’t want be the out-of-touch business on the block that looks like they’re stuck in 2008 because they refuse to change.

The reality, though? There are some significant changes businesses of all shapes and sizes should consider to make their marketing seem more, well, modern.

Doing so does double duty of making your business look like a bigger player in your industry, all the while sticking to the best practices of what makes your customers tick.…

Continue reading →

4 Ways to Raise Capital for Your Small Business

Capital is essential for new and growing small businesses. Whether your small business is just starting out or expanding, raising capital can be challenging. Consider these smart financial strategies for funding your small business venture.

Raising capital for small business

Get a Loan Using the SBA Tool

The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) exists so small businesses such as yours succeed, so make sure you don’t overlook this valuable government resource. Its Lender Match tool helps you find SBA-approved loans for launching and expanding small business operations. These loans are often easier for small businesses to obtain than loans from their own banks, but they have very competitive terms.…

Continue reading →

How to Avoid Needing Regular VAT Loans

You are a business owner who makes quarterly VAT payments. You know you’re going to come up short when your next filing is due, so you’re already thinking about getting a loan. Unfortunately, this is not your first time. You have used VAT loans multiple times in the past. You are thinking you would like to break the cycle, but you don’t know how.

Tips for avoiding VAT loans

VAT loans are not bad in and of themselves. They are exceptionally good tools to help business owners manage cash flow when times are a bit tough. However, they are not intended to be a long-term funding that continually gets recycled quarter after quarter.…

Continue reading →

A Trio of Smart Small-Business Moves to Make This Year

As a CEO of a growing business, it goes without saying that you want your company to be as successful as possible.

Now that 2019 has begun in earnest, this is a perfect time to assess your business strategy to determine where you were successful and where you fell short of expectations to help your business grow and thrive.

Small business CEO strategizing

Here are a trio of tips all small-business owners may want to embrace this year:

1. Engage with Your Team as Much as Possible

Do all of your employees share your same passion for small business? While they may burn the midnight oil like you, experts suggest coming up with new ways to make your team feel more committed to your overall vision and goals.…

Continue reading →

Beyond the Cubicle: Deskless Workforce Getting Left Behind

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 billion (80%) of the global workforce now works in a deskless environment.

Deskless warehouse manager

Strange, when one considers the digital shift that’s been occurring these last two decades, with many physical labor jobs having been replaced by automation technology and apps that can do the most complicated of tasks. Traditional deskless jobs still abound with people still working while on the move in construction, transportation services, retail, and healthcare – all sans-desk.

Changing landscapes in the workplace

Gen X worked so hard to become a generation of office drones sitting at a desk and changing the world from behind their computer and talking on their old-school phones.…

Continue reading →

5 Processes Every Business Owner Should Automate

Across all industries, automation has become a critical factor in a business’ success. According to a study conducted by Gleanster, almost 80% of top-performing companies use automation for marketing and have done so for years.

Business process automation

What’s great about automation is that it can be used by companies of all types. Big corporations, startups, small companies, and even freelancers can benefit from incorporating automation in many business processes, to include capturing leads, communicating with customers, and completing routine tasks in the office.

When processes are automated, business owners can devote more time and energy towards growing the business and ensuring it stays on the right path.…

Continue reading →

5 Simple Steps to Improve Your Retirement Strategy

Preparing yourself with a comprehensive retirement plan is more important than ever. We are all living longer and it is vital that you have a strategy to ensure you don’t outlive your money. Here are some simple things that can help you to make the most of your retirement fund.

Busy senior businessman working on a retirement plan

Look at your 401(k) plan

A key part of a successful retirement strategy is creating an effective income stream from your savings. Keep your money in the 401(k) if your plan allows you to make regular withdrawals or pays out in instalments. If your 401(k) only allows you to take out a lump sum, it may be worth transferring the savings to a separate retirement account.…

Continue reading →

Backing Up Your Business: How to Keep Your Important Information Safe

The last 12 months have been another huge reminder that data security and information safety is imperative to business. As you will no doubt have seen in the news many times over the last few months, even the biggest businesses in the world aren’t safe from either security breaches or the significant financial cost of not reacting to them.

Business data backup and security

As technology progresses, cybercriminals become increasingly adept at finding ways around the system. Here are several ways to make sure you don’t suffer a security breach in 2019.

Be vigilant – you will always be a target

Unfortunately, it’s not just the large businesses with the ability to pay enormous fines that are targeted, either.…

Continue reading →