Business Training & Mentoring

At the Business Development Centre we offer a variety of skills training, coaching and mentoring opportunities to meet your needs. For more information on any of our programs, or to book, call
905-641-2252 x 4456.

Jump Start

  • 1 hour free assessment
  • 5-day in-class Business Basics comprehensive self-employment training (see details below)
  • 3 x 1-hour follow-up personal business mentoring sessions

Fee: $799, includes course workbook and Resource CD

Business Coaching

If you have an established business and need some professional input on marketing, market research, human resources, legal issues, financial planning/issues, optimizing a retail operation, and more, we can help you. We have qualified business advisors with expertise in a variety of business operations. We'll bring you in for a free 1-hour consultation to discuss your needs, and create a customized package that works best for you. For more information, call 905-641-2252 x 4456.
 

For more information on any of our Quick Start Options, or to book, phone
905-641-2252 x 4456.

 

Business Basics:

Build your business on a solid foundation using the fundamental principles that you'll learn in our 1-week Business Basics program.

Explore and develop your business idea through this intense classroom experience. Participants have found that valuable input from both instructors and fellow students is an important component of this comprehensive program. Business professionals contribute their real world knowledge and expertise. This wealth of knowledge is the cornerstone of Business Basics.

The program includes 1 week of in-class business concept development followed by 2 Business Plan Clinics, Concept Development Manual, Business Plan Template, BDC Resource CD, parking privileges at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus of Niagara College, and access to College learning resources.

To learn more, book a 1-hour free assessment at 905-641-2252 x 4456.

Sessions:

1. Orientation and Concept Development
2. Goal Setting and Time Management
3. Marketing Strategy
4. Promotion Strategy
5. Financial Strategy
6. Legal Issues
7. Effective Business Communications
8. Sales and Quality Service
9. Anatomy of the Business Plan & Business Plan Development

Fee:

Self-Employment Benefit Program participants......... included at no extra charge
Non-SEB participants.......................................... see Jump Start above

For more information or to book, phone 905-641-2252 x 4456.

All participants have access to the Niagara College Learning Resources Centres, which are located at the Niagara-on-the-Lake and Welland Campuses and are Web-accessible from home. The Centres feature indexing and full-text content for 1,150 business journals, magazines and newspapers; Netlibrary, a collection of 5,800 e-Books that are keyword searchable; and Search Portfolio, which provides links to "best of the web" resources for online newspapers, directories, fast facts, government information, etc.

Upcoming Dates:
November 3 - 7, December 1 - 5

Business Basics Online

Our Business Basics program is also offered in an online version. Participants progress through the units and worksheets online with the support of an expert instructor over a 14-week period. Weekly online discussion groups allow participants from a wide variety of locations and backgrounds to interact personally with each other and the instructor, sharing ideas as well as their own stories and issues. The topics covered are the same as for the in-class program (see above).

Business Basics Online has been delivered to participants throughout North America and internationally. Please see the list of technical requirements below. The Concept Development Manual can be shipped internationally either in hard copy or on CD; shipping is included in the course fee.

Fee:

The Business Basics Online Program is available at a fee of $799, including the course binder and shipping.

Technical Requirements:

  • access to the Internet and an e-mail account
  • Windows 98 or higher
  • Microsoft Office Word 2003
  • Microsoft Office Excel 2003
  • Adobe Reader (5.0 or higher)

For more information or to book, phone 905-641-2252 x 4456.
 

Workshops

Basics of Selling
3 hours – monthly on Thursdays, 9:00am to 12:00pm
Fee: included in Self-Employment Program; $59 for general public
Upcoming Sessions:
November 13, December 11

Business Plan Workshop
6 hours – monthly on Fridays, 9:00am to 4:00pm with break for lunch (not. incl.)
Fee: included in Self-Employment Program; $79 for general public
Upcoming Sessions:
November 7, December 5

Business Plan Clinic
3 hours – twice monthly on selected Fridays, 9:00am to 12:00pm
Fee: included in Business Plan Workshop price
Upcoming Sessions:
November 14 & 28, December 12 & 19

Managing Your First Year Finances
3 hours – monthly on Mondays, 9:00am to 12:00pm
Fee: included in Self-Employment Program; $59 for general public
Upcoming Sessions:
November 10, December 8

For more information or to book, phone 905-641-2252 x 4456.
 

Business Skills Training for Farm Families

This innovative 3-day business training program, developed in conjunction with Niagara College and the Business Development Centre (BDC) specifically for business people working in the farm sector, will prepare farm families to approach their farm operation from a fresh perspective.

You’ll have a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses and will learn practical business skills from seasoned professionals. An experienced coach/trainer will help you develop a working Business Plan that will allow you to operate your existing farm business more efficiently and/or start up a successful supplementary business.

For more information, click here.
 

Past participants:

"Every seminar and class that I attended was more and more energizing, and the ability to speak with entrepreneurs became a true asset every week."
Marty Petrullo, Great Escapes Candle Company

"Knowing that I wanted to open a photography studio was the easy part, figuring out how to do so successfully was the challenge. The Business Basics program gave me the knowledge, guidance and confidence to take what I had learned and put it into practice."
Rachel Spiewak-Hills, Rachel Spiewak Photography

"Regular workshops at the College further enhanced my skills in many areas...the program far exceeded all of my expectations."
Ed Heershcap, Air Aware - Indoor Air Quality Investigation

"The program not only exceeded my expectations, it provided the necessary tools to help us successfully launch Garden Strategies and to grow our business into something we are proud to call our own."
Bob Chrystian, Garden Strategies