Business Services
Business Coaching & Consulting
Business coaching is the process of guiding versus telling someone what to do. Coaching not only addresses business issues, it takes
into account the personal desires, needs and goals of individuals and allows them to make better, more informed decisions. Business
coaching provides tailored solutions as determined by the individual needs of each client.
Areas in which the business development services assists businesses include:
- cost-effective marketing strategies
- business planning
- managing a business
- hiring the right employees
- retraining staff
- taking a business to the next level
- testing the viability of a business idea
- financial analysis
The business development services works in partnership with other consulting firms to aid in the delivery of strategic planning
workshops. Staff also travels to deliver business planning and business development workshops to other organizations in
British Columbia.
Business Exchange
The North Okanagan Business Exchange program was established in 1996 and continues to a valuable resource for small businesses in
the North Okanagan. This program uses a professional development model that focuses on the needs of the participating businesses
to address local business concerns and issues in the North Okanagan.
Business Exchange is an open forum of non-competitive business owners that meets every two weeks to explore business issues,
improve management skills and connect with important resources and support. One of the most central elements of this program is
the continued support of the corporate sponsors who form an informal 'board of directors' to share advice and enable the membership
to attain knowledge and strategies to enhance their own business development.
Each of the corporate sponsors provides the membership with the invaluable opportunity to access advice, expertise and information
applicable to their own business situation and issues that affect small and medium-sized businesses on a daily basis. Corporate
sponsors for the program are KISS FM, Clark Robinson CGAs, Bank of Montreal and Community Futures.
Members of the Business Exchange program are provided with dynamic round-table discussions, networking opportunities, and
professional development in the form of presentations and expert guest speakers. This year the membership grew to include four
new businesses from the North Okanagan.
Business Resource Library: Community Access Program
The Community Access Program (CAP) is funded by Industry Canada, and provides computers and the Internet to the North Okanagan public
for free Internet access. This service provides opportunity for people in rural communities to better communicate within the community
and around the world. CAP computers are available to the public at Community Futures Development Corporation and Connections Career
Centre.
Self-Employment Services for Persons with Disabilities
The Self-Employment Services for Persons with Disabilities (SES) program is funded by the provincial government. Community Futures is
working with THEO BC to help persons with disabilities pursue their entrepreneurial goals and contribute to the economic growth
within the community. Services offered through this program may include entrepreneurial assessments, business viability
assessments, business planning, business start-up assistance and business monitoring based on client needs.
In 2004-2005 the Self-Employment Services for People with Disabilities program consulted with numerous clients and contracted
with five potential entrepreneurs to assist them on their road to self-employment.
For information contact 545-2215 ext 232.
