Small Business Council

Did you know that a majority of The Board's members operate businesses with fewer than 20 employees? Are you looking for ways that The Board can help expand your business?

The Small Business Council's goal is to provide valuable assistance and guidance to small and medium-sized enterprises in Vancouver. We recommend policy and action on how to: reduce government red tape, increase sales and marketing, deal with operational challenges, plus guidance on many other key issues that affect small businesses. As well, we work with different levels of government to help focus attention on the needs of small businesses.

The council is a sponsor of a number of highly successful and popular programs including: Business After Business™ trade shows and the Managers' Toolbox™ events. We recently added a new addition to our stable of exciting and innovated programs with the launch of the Lunch Box Workshop in the fall of 2003.

Why should you be a part of the Small Business Council and attend one of our events? Because we help provide solutions to small business. Our success is driven by the entrepreneurial energy and spirit of our council members.

Members interested in being on the Small Business Council, please contact Joyce Fulford at 604-640-5457 or e-mail jfulford@boardoftrade.com.

Small Business Council

Sounding Board articles

Small business strategy: Why a "vision" really matters
Small-business owners tend to be focused more on survival and cash flow than on strategic plans or vision statements. Compare this with a larger company that may have their vision statement framed and hung on the wall, or floating across screensavers at all workstations. The idea of a vision statement may not seem immediately important to an entrepreneur, but in fact it is a crucial part of leadership in a small business environment. Read the Sounding Board article by Susan Low

Managers' Toolbox workshops — presented by the Small Business Council
Our Managers' Toolbox program is a lively and informative series of workshops on a wide range of topics particularly geared to small businesses and first-level managers of larger firms, and designed to equip up-and-coming managers with the skills needed to manage effectively in our changing business world. Visit the Managers' Toolbox Calendar to register for the latest events.

Resources

Small Business Profile 2006: A Profile of Small Business in British Columbia (PDF) — Ministry of Small Business and Revenue

Small Business Profile 2005: A Profile of Small Business in British Columbia (PDF) — British Columbia Ministry of Competition, Science and Enterprise

Small Business Profile 2004: A Profile of Small Business in British Columbia (PDF) — British Columbia Ministry of Competition, Science and Enterprise

Small Business Profile 2003: A Profile of Small Business in British Columbia (PDF) — British Columbia Ministry of Competition, Science and Enterprise

Small Business Profiles — Industry Canada
The Small Business Profiles are a source of detailed financial and employment statistics relating to the small business sector in Canada. They are intended as a performance benchmarking tool to be used by small business managers and practitioners in the planning of start-up and established businesses.

October 2006 — Small business plays a vital role in B.C.’s economy. This year, Small Business Week falls between October 15 and 21. It is an opportunity for British Columbians to celebrate the role small businesses play in our dynamic, growing economy. Read article by Dave Park, chief economist, The Vancouver Board of Trade.

April 26, 2006 — Recommendations to Small Business Roundtable. The Small Business Council applauds the government’s recent introduction of the Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code as a substantial step forward in improving the interaction of officials and small business people. The following policy recommendations were drafted by the Small Business Council and have been approved by The Board’s directors. Read the Small Business Council's letter to the Small Business Roundtable (PDF/358kb).

September 14, 2001 — Creating a more business-friendly environment: letter to Mayor Philip Owen.

August 30, 2001 — Creating a more business-friendly environment: letter to Premier Gordon Campbell.

August 20, 2001 — Board recommends creating a more business-friendly environment in a letter to Minister of Finance Paul Martin.

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