Blog, Fog and Dogs

It's great that this forum for sharing ideas, successes and everyday perpective is available for all those who want to encourage business growth in the City of Toronto.

For me it will provide an opportunity to clear away the haze of blogging and provide a new conduit to express opinions, that heretofore have only been listened to by these two fellows.

Ted Barton

Newspapers Provide Leads

As an entrepreneur make a point of reading the newspaper daily. It doesn’t have to be read cover to cover but skimming the headlines is a must especially for prospecting opportunities. In a recent Financial Post story the writer mentioned the name of a business owner who I happened to contact and mentioned I had read the article in the paper. This turned a cold call into a warm call and the person was very receptive.

Lynn Tremblay

Excellence in Achievement

I have been immersed in the TBDC Awards – The Essence of Entrepreneurship, for the last few months. At this time, the finalists have been chosen and the judges are preparing to interview candidates and make their final selection. At the same time, the rest of the world has been focused on excellence in sports – the 2008 Olympics.

As always, the similarities between sports and business are evident. Natural ability combined with technology, technique and coaching is producing superior performances in all events. Michael Phelps, the US swimmer is the dominant force in the pool. He was one of the first to wear the Speedo Fastskin LZR racing suit, his unique physical characteristics have allowed him to develop great technique and he has received outstanding coaching along the way. But above all, he is one of the hardest working swimmers in the competition.

The finalists for the TBDC Awards of Excellence are all reaching for the finish line. They too have had the benefit of “coaching” through incubation or training to help them develop the “techniques” or business skills they require to achieve success. They can also access the latest technologies to propel their business forward but in the end, they are alone leading their company and it will be their hard work and dedication that will lead them to the podium.

Sally Wilkie

Remember to Proofread

We remind our clients continually at the TBDC to proofread all marketing materials before getting them printed- for obvious reasons. Mistakes make even the most seasoned entrepreneur looked inexperienced. I’ve learned this the hard way when I released a product, a women’s handbag with a pheasant motif, and labeled it a “peasant” handbag in that season’s catalogue. I don’t need to say that the “peasant” bags didn’t sell very well and I felt quite silly being told by every other client about my error.

So- do as I say not as I do!

Jenifer Forrest