Business Environment

Market Intelligence Report: Independent Retail Sector in Canada

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The independent retail sector in Canada represents a vibrant and diverse segment of the retail industry, comprising small businesses that operate independently-owned stores across various product categories. This Market Intelligence Report aims to provide actionable insights and strategic recommendations to small businesses operating in the independent retail sector in Canada, covering key aspects such as market trends, competitive landscape, customer demographics, and growth opportunities.

Learn About Business Incubators and Accelerators

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Entrepreneurs should know about business incubators and accelerators and their services. If you are starting an innovative company, or if you know someone who is, here is a bit of background information to help you get started. For local business promoters we also have a bit of an in-depth assessment of the ins and outs of these kinds of business support programs.

Navigating Alberta’s Business Landscape: A Guide for New Entrepreneurs in Canada

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Unlocking Success in a Culturally Diverse Environment Canada, with its vast landscapes and diverse communities, welcomes entrepreneurs from around the world. For those venturing into the entrepreneurial journey in Alberta, understanding the intricacies of the business environment is crucial. This guide, tailored for newcomers with English as a second language, breaks down essential aspects using … Read more

PESTEL Environmental Scan for Small Businesses

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Small business owners need to keep one eye on the business environment, searching for both opportunities and threats. A common approach is to conduct a PESTEL (Political, Economic, Socio-cultural, Technological, Environmental and Legal) scan. Let’s conduct an example of a simple high-level PESTEL environmental scan for small businesses, considering various factors that can affect them … Read more

Assessing Technology and Methodology Updates for Small Business Entrepreneurs

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Checklist Questionnaire for Assessing Technology and Methodology Updates for Small Business Entrepreneurs As a small business entrepreneur, staying current and competitive in your market, or scaling up, requires periodic assessment of your technologies and methodologies. This checklist questionnaire will help you evaluate the need for updates and improvements. Answer the following questions to gain insight … Read more

The Law of Requisite Variety: Navigating Small Business Success through Environmental Scanning and Strategic Planning

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Introduction: Small businesses, often likened to David against the corporate Goliaths, possess unique advantages in their agility, innovation, and close customer relationships. However, in today’s dynamic and ever-changing business environment, these advantages can only be harnessed if small businesses understand the Law of Requisite Variety and how it underpins their journey to success. In this … Read more

Navigating Global Trends: How Small Businesses Adapt for Success

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In today’s dynamic and interconnected world, small businesses face a multitude of global trends that shape the way they operate, compete, and grow. These trends represent both challenges and opportunities, and understanding them is essential for small businesses to thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape. In this introduction, using environmental scanning, we’ll explore these key … Read more