Entrepreneur Support Network(ESN)

Thursday Dec 11 2008 Presentation for LEAP

Why an English Entrepreneur Support Network?

• Entrepreneurs and small businesses contribute to the development and economic growth of communities and regions

• Creativity, autonomy, leadership, responsibility are values upon which entrepreneurial culture is built

• Business networking is an essential quality which you must possess or develop to be successful in this competitive, rapidly changing world

• will help foster an environment where entrepreneurs can exchange and work together to identify and resolve challenges and opportunities

Why an English Entrepreneur Support Network?

• support English entrepreneurs in succession planning

• address demographic challenges facing this community locally

• Can encourage an intergenerational dialogue between youth and English speaking entrepreneurs

• Foster closer ties between education and the labour market through promotion of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship and Networking

• 8.0% of Canadians were engaged in entrepreneurial activities in 2003. Quebec falls below the national average, with 7.3% of adults participating in entrepreneurial activities*

• Business networking is an essential quality which you must possess or develop to be successful in this competitive, rapidly changing world

* Canada GEM 2003 Report, www.gemconsortium.org

Beginnings…

2005 South West Quebec CEDEC began to explore promoting entrepreneurship

2006 Planning / organization

April 2007 First meeting in Huntingdon

Feb. 2008 First meeting in Châteauguay

June 2008 First meeting in Brossard

Since the April 2007 launch…• 10 meetings have been held

• 3 electronic news bulletins created and 2 “News from Fellow Entrepreneurs”

• Membership increased from 17 to 40 businesses

• Partnership developed with Southwest Business Journal (Journal d’affaires Sudouest)

Haut Saint-Laurent Chapter

Haut Saint-Laurent Chapter

Workshops held…• Time Management• Community Learning Center (CLC)• Marketing• Accounting and Bookkeeping• Website Design

• Setting up Displays

Upcoming Workshops…• Buying/selling online

• Obtaining government contracts

Châteauguay Chapter

Since the February 2008 launch…• 5 meetings have been held• Membership to date: 45 businesses

Workshops held• Financing Your Business • Business Insurance

South Shore Chapter

• Launched on June 9th, 2008• 12 entrepreneurs signed on to

the network – including 4 potential start-up businesses

• All participants completed a questionnaire in which they indicated where they wanted the network to focus in future meetings.

Ideas for Future Workshops

• Website Development

• Financial Strategies for the Business Owner

• Causes and Effects of Business Failure

• Get More From Your Business Cards

• Effective Advertising Practices

• Practical Advice to Tackle Difficult Business Challenges

• Juggling, Balancing and Letting Go – Time Management

• The Questions Behind the Interview Questions; Select the Best Candidate for the Job

Why Network?

• Generate business referrals & build connections – alliances

• For a start-up or small business, networking can generate business and provide a lifeline of support

• Networks are a key source of information and support

• 70% of new business is generated by word of mouth

• Networking is about relationship building – creating mutually beneficial relationships

• Raise your business profile in the community

• Networking is a long-term activity, not a quick fix

• Should be thought of as professional development which will widen your knowledge base and energize your business

Benefits of Membership in the Montérégie ESN Network

• Contact with English entrepreneurs across the Montérégie

• Bi-monthly, on-line ESN newsletter

• Entrepreneurship News You Can Use – Provincial on-line newsletter

• Regional and local seminars focused on what YOU want to learn

• Website with Members Directory. Quick Links, Notes & Bulletins

Next Steps…

For more information contactStacey Dakin, Director SWQ CEDEC

450 264 5558 / 1877 264 5558 Ext 229swqdirector@cedec.ca

Thank you!

Further Expansion across the Montérégie and eventually QuébecFunding agreement with Canadian Economic Development for Quebec Regions.Explore sustainability options e.g. Emploi Quebec, Foundations, Membership Fees etc..Hiring of a Coordinator