Knowledge is power, and at Invest Ottawa, we aim to support and host a variety of workshops, networking events, and community events to help our local entrepreneurs and businesses.
Whether you’re an up-and-coming entrepreneur looking for resources to begin your venture or an established business needing a refresher on specific business topics, our community has a range of opportunities designed to help you level up. We’re all about helping Ottawa entrepreneurs make informed decisions about starting and growing their businesses.
We’ve highlighted ten events this month worth considering.
1. Exporting 101
Date: November 8th
Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Organizer: Invest Ottawa Education Centre
Cost: Free
This webinar will give you an overall view of what you need to know to export goods abroad:
- Financial issues (Incoterms, payments, exchange rates, insurance),
- Canadian export regulations,
- Declarations and permits,
- Logistics costs,
- Free Trade Agreements and their impact,
- Regional differences (USA, Europe, Latin America, Asia),
- Shipping to trade shows,
- The roles and responsibilities of the:
- exporter,
- the importer,
- the carrier,
- the freight forwarder,
- the customs broker, and
- other intermediaries.
Learn the basics as well as the important details that will impact your bottom line and avoid mistakes, minimize costs/risks and maximize revenue.
2. The Small Business Information Expo
Date: November 9th and November 10th
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Organizer: Procurement Assistance Canada
Cost: Free
Do you want to help your business? Are you an Indigenous entrepreneur, or part of an Indigenous-led business? You need to attend this event!
The Government of Canada is organizing a Small Business Information Expo (SBIE) to help you get the information you need on a range of key business support programs and services. From financing, to hiring, to innovation, to doing business with the government, to exports and more you will find support that you didn’t even know existed!
3. Understanding ‘QuickBooks Online’: Logan Katz Learning Series
Date: November 9th
Time: 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Organizer: Invest Ottawa Education Centre
Cost: Free
Stay on top of where your money is going! Join a free webinar, ‘Understanding QuickBooks Online,’ hosted by Lindsey Horvath! Learn to securely import bank and credit card transactions, track your income and expenses and more.
This is a beginners course and, as such, advanced topics such as multijurisdictional activity and foreign exchange are beyond the scope of this course.
4. Google Advertising: The Business Owner’s Starter Guide
Date: November 10
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30am
Organizer: Invest Ottawa Education Centre
Cost: Free
You’ve probably heard different things about Google Advertising, some good, some not-so-good. In this free webinar, we will unveil the facts about this often misunderstood form of online promotion, and lay out a framework that will help you decide if it’s right for your business.
Google Advertising can be very powerful, but only if it’s done properly. This webinar is designed specifically for business owners who want to learn more about how Google Ads work, and more importantly, how well it could work for them.
By the end of this webinar, you will have a solid understanding of how Google Ads are priced, how to set a realistic budget, and how to identify your return on investment. If you’ve ever been curious about Google Advertising, you won’t want to miss this session!
5. 9 (other) ways to sell with Moneris Online
Date: November 12
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00am
Organizer: Invest Ottawa Education Centre
Cost: Free
There are endless possibilities when it comes to what you can sell on your website.
Running a small business is a pretty big deal. But it’s also a lot of hard work, and we recognize the hustle. From the tangible to the intangible, there are endless possibilities when it comes to what you can sell on your website. With the rate at which we’re all turning to the internet – nearly 60 per cent of the world is online – there’s no reason to limit yourself to just physical items anymore. There’s a huge 24/7 market to access, which opens us up to a world of opportunity. Come learn 9 simple and easy strategies Canadian businesses are using to successfully sell online.
6. Patents 101
Date: November 16
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Organizer: Invest Ottawa Education Centre
Cost: Free
Come and learn about patents and how to protect the next best innovation!
Have you come up with the “next big thing”? Whether you are creating cutting-edge technology or improving a well-known product or process, you need to know more about patents. Patents can increase credibility, boost confidence among investors, keep your competitors at bay, and help you profit financially from your creativity. Don’t let someone beat you to it! Learn what you can patent and how, in order to stop others from making, using or selling your inventions, and turn your innovations into lucrative business assets. A special note: if you attend this session and wish to discuss particulars of an invention you are working on, do NOT disclose any specifics during the open session—you’ll learn why during the seminar!
7. Social Enterprise 101
Date: November 17
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Organizer: Invest Ottawa Education Centre
Cost: Free
In this webinar, you will learn more about social enterprise models and characteristics, local examples, support resources, and considerations for starting. Join us to learn more about this unique type of business that uses revenue-generating activities to achieve a social, environmental or cultural good.
8. Opening a Food Establishment in the City of Ottawa
Date: November 18
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Organizer: Invest Ottawa Education Centre
Cost: Free
This presentation is led by the City of Ottawa’s Business Information Officer (BIO), Sylvie Idone. The BIO’s role is to support entrepreneurs aiming to open a new food business in Ottawa. The session provides insight into a range of entrepreneur-centric services offered by the City and focuses on topics such as the different categories of food-related business licences regulated by the City, the regulations for home-based businesses, and the interdepartmental permit and legislation requirements (i.e. health, by-law, fire and building code requirements). If you are considering opening a bakery, café, restaurant, wholesale food, catering or mobile refreshment/food business in Ottawa, this is the session for you.
9. Market Research Techniques and Resources
Date: November 18
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Organizer: Invest Ottawa Education Centre
Cost: Free
Market research helps you to better understand your market. It is one of the most important things you can do to ensure the success of your business idea. This seminar discusses how to conduct market research, outlines the types of market research, and provides tips on how to plan your search and be effective. Included are specific examples to illustrate how to use the many free resources available to you to obtain specific information.
10. Violence and Harassment in the Workplace
Date: November 29
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Organizer: Invest Ottawa Education Centre
Cost: Free
As a business owner, you are responsible to make sure your staff and guests all follow the most recent protocols and stay safe. COVID-19 has taken its toll on everyone. As a business owners you are responsible to make sure your staff and guests all follow the most recent protocols and stay safe in a respectful manner. This final stretch could be one of your most challenging in terms workplace violence and harassment towards your staff and/or your customers. Join WSPS in their awareness session on what Workplace Violence and Harassment is and the resources available to you.
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