Techno-devil

We are living through the largest demographic change to ever happen, even larger than WWII. Gen Y’s are at the forefront of the business world today and are tomorrows tech wizards. Social Media is mainstream. It is what we are today and what we will become in the next 10 months. The computation capacity of a computer will soon over take that of the entire human race.

Are you scared? Where will we be in 20 months and 20 years from now?

The desktop computer, the laptop, the MP3 player are slowly becoming extinct. What effect will this have on our daily lives?

Measure what Matters

Key Performance Indicators (KPI) help bridge the gap between your Web analytics data and your company objectives. But before you can start any form of research; you must define your company objectives and your online goals. KPI’s can be anything from increasing revenue and lead generation, to conversion rates and page views. It is important to measure what matters by keeping a focus on the research and data collection objectives.

Some interesting KPI stats:

• More than 70% of companies don’t deliver important Web data to executives.
• More than 80% of retailers don’t report Web data to merchandising staff.
• Only 53% of companies are sharing Web analytics data with their marketing groups.
• Only 32% of companies are distributing analytics data daily or weekly.
(JupiterResearch)

KPIs identify what to monitor, manage, and optimize so don’t hesitate to share web performance across all departments including marketing, sales, and even with key stakeholders.

Are you an Entrepreneur?

Entrepreneur, according to Webster’s, is one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise. It is the combination of those three elements; management, organization, and risk, that enables one to run a business. But, entrepreneurs aren’t necessarily great managers or organizers. They are the creative thinking types that start businesses, hire people to manage them, and outsource work involving organization (typically assistants or equivalents).

So what makes an entrepreneur? Passion, determination, and persistence. Blah, blah, blah… We all know this is true. You need passion to follow our dream, determination to get a loan or funding, and persistence to keep making sales. And so if this is the case, then we are ALL entrepreneurs. Think corporately; some are passionate about their desk job because it pays the bills and provides occasional bonuses. They are determined to get a raise, and are persistent in showing up to work on time. Think small business type; workers are passionate about the company culture, determined to help grow the company, and persistent in contributing to sales objectives. Think the mother type; moms are passionate about their children, determined to help them succeed in life, and persistent in keeping them happy and healthy. Think the Olympic athlete type; they are passionate about their sport, determined to win the gold, and persistent in training their bodies to be the best in the world. Get my point?

Canada is a safe place for small business

Being an entrepreneur is a totally unique way of making a living. As an entrepreneur, you alone are responsible for your success or failure. You can enjoy rewards beyond your dreams or endure unexpected struggles. That being said, it is evident that many Canadians are taking advantage of those factors.

“Small businesses create jobs that corporations have increasingly been taking away,” comments Roger Pierce, Small Business Expert and Co-Founder of BizLaunch, “Recent cut backs in the manufacturing sector, especially, are leaving many in a helpless situation. Those same employees are starting their own businesses and contributing the Canadian economy”.

A recent report suggests that Canada’s job creation over the last decade is the best amongst the world’s seven largest industrial economies. Those being laid off often think about starting their own company and act on it. Last year alone over 179,000 new businesses were created in Canada. Of those, many employed between 1-5 employees. That’s at minimum 179,000 and up to 895,000 jobs created by small businesses alone.

Those statistics don’t surprise Pierce, “With more awareness of the small business growth we are seeing in Canada, many more companies are popping up. It is said that there is more job security and profits in running your own business. Being ones own boss also allows you to shape and develop a company culture to your liking.” Take Zappo, the world’s largest shoe store as an example. Potential employees are screened to make sure their values mesh with the Zappos 10 Core Values. If an interviewee does not have the same morals, than they would not be considered for the position.

There are many more available services for small business than there has ever been. With the help from governments, non-profits, and private companies, the state of small business has changed so dramatically in the past decade that it has become very easy to start a small business. Programs such as ScotiaBanks’ Starting Line fro Business, STAPLES BizLaunch in store seminars, Small Business Centre events, and free small business advice from government organizations, together have given entrepreneurs the access to the how-to advice they need.

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