Small business becomes big business

Provincial organization helps business growth with English workshop

Sonia Roy

 

In the wake of the pandemic, many people have gone out on their own and started a small business. Whether it's a hobby turned lucrative, a passion turned profession or simply a specific service offered, a growing number of individuals are now dealing with new financial, administrative and sometimes labour responsibilities.

According to Montreal-based non-profit company YES, which specializes in hiring strategies for small- and medium-sized businesses (PME), investing in a business coach can be a worthwhile expense. The employer and entrepreneur support programs available through the YES platform focus on three concepts: job information, entrepreneur information and a special section for artists. Whether you need help with marketing, administration or finances, a good foundation in human resources and hiring can help you achieve your goals! Entrepreneur coaching services are both helpful and easily applicable, offering a business review plan, help with potential grants and mentoring.

Some quick facts:
When owning a business, it is important to establish the purpose, product/service offered, and target customer base that frames the business. The purpose, or reason for being, should include the concepts of mission, vision, values and philosophy. Generally, partners are more successful in business than solo owners.

When should you expand your team?
In one of his recent workshops, business coach Robert Therriault mentioned the importance of human resources in the business process. According to the expert, when you decline offers, clients or orders, when you lack expertise, when you have difficulty keeping up with administrative tasks and when you have enough extra work to keep another person busy on a regular basis, it is time, if profits allow, to hire an additional employee. The main types of positions created by PME’s are administrative, sales support, additional production and customer support positions.

Employees vs. contractors:
Which of these types of positions is best suited for your business or, conversely, for your job search? Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Employees of a company often only work for the company and can help you achieve your goals quickly. Their rights and the process of terminating their employment are governed by official bodies (e.g., CNESST) and thus, so are their benefits (e.g., vacation time). They have a salary and/or an established schedule. Contract workers are often independent workers who set their own schedules and work with their own tools. Their contract calls for simple billing for a given service. This principle of employee and contractors refers to a key concept according to Mr Therriault: the cultural fit versus the functional fit.

YES helps over 500 businesses and some 2,100 clients per year, providing services in English to Quebec citizens. Their mission is to provide assistance with employment and hiring principles, as well as to support entrepreneurs. If you would like help with your employment process (free of charge), your successful business or your creative process, you can get help from a coach today via the following web page https://yesmontreal.ca/get-support/ .