Business owners need to understand the importance of industry and market research and learn how to use this effectively as input into their planning process.

        In this session participants will learn:

            
the benefits market research provides to their planning process;
detailed guidelines on how to search for existing sources of information to validate their business plan; and
how to conduct their own market research through the use of informational interviews, surveys, and focus groups with various industry stakeholders.

        Meet Your Facilitator: 

Jennifer Lester is a Senior Manager in the Consulting Practice of MNP LLP. With a focus on performance improvement and planning; Jennifer’s project portfolio includes operational and organization assessments, strategic planning, program evaluations, business planning, feasibility studies, and community economic development plans for a variety of organizations.

        
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Marketing is much more than advertising and promotion. Businesses need to understand and be able to articulate their products and services to exhibit their true value to their targeted clients.  

        In this session, participants will:

            
learn the importance of completing a marketing plan and following the marketing process,
distinguish between benefits and features,
articulate how their products and/or services exhibit true value to their targeted clients, 
gain an appreciation for the strategy their business must follow to be successful, and
develop usable strategies to help them meet their business goals.

        Meet Your Facilitator: 

Caitlin Dika, is a team member with MNP’s National Marketing Strategy team. Throughout her academic career and employment opportunities, Caitlin has had experience working in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Based in Calgary, Caitlin is responsible for providing strategic support with the development and execution of the marketing and business development strategy for MNP on a national scale. She works collaboratively with stakeholders to translate business objectives into strategically integrated marketing plans for multiple client service areas and business units within the firm. Caitlin graduated in 2014 from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Management – Marketing Major & Supply Chain   Minor.

        
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As a business, it can be tough to keep up with customer demands as your industry changes and you wonder ‘What will be disrupted next?”  Large companies may have research and development budgets to grow and foster innovation, but as a small or mid-sized business, you wonder how you can innovate with the time and resources you have available?  You know that success can depend upon innovation and it is common for small businesses to focus primarily on existing products and services.  Innovation is not just about large technological innovations - innovation can be simple ideas. Remember, it’s not enough to say that innovation is a priority - ensure you have a process in place, and continue to work at making it a priority!  

        In this session, you will learn:

            
What drives the need for innovation in small business;
How to build innovation into a business routine;
How to invest in innovation; and, 
How to cultivate an innovative mindset.

        Meet Your Facilitator: 

Nicole Asselin Is a Senior Manager in the MNP Consulting practice based in Edmonton, serving clients locally and provincially.  Nicole has over twelve years of experience in industry and management consulting.  She has been involved in innovation, business process and operations improvement in many capacities, with diverse clients across multiple industries. Nicole obtained her Master of Business Administration from the University of Alberta in 2004 with focus on International Business Specialization, is Six Sigma Green Belt Certified, is Innovation Engineering Blue Belt Certified, and has participated in Lean Action Workouts. She and her husband are small business owners and are familiar with the need to innovate and market services. Nicole has exceptional client relations and is recognized for her professionalism, diplomacy and confidentiality in dealing with colleagues and her clients. Nicole is a disciplined project manager that provides strong operational support to clients and has managed a number of projects relating to Operational Effectiveness, Process Improvement, Organizational Review, Business Strategy and Planning, Market Assessment and Analysis. In addition, Nicole has led and participated in numerous engagements in a variety of areas including the private sector, provincial government, municipalities, municipal associations, non-profit organizations and post-secondary educational institutions.

        
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The fundamental financial risks associated with farming have not changed in recent years, but they have increased due to changes in the agricultural landscape. Farmers are more than producers of food, they are perceived as caretakers of the natural environment and provider of quality goods of that environment. This webinar is designed to discuss financial risk management at the producer level to grow and strengthen your business and will demonstrate practical application of risk scenarios using MNP’s Risk Management ProjectorTM.  

        In this session, you will:

            
Learn how to identify financial risks;
Understand how to manage financial risk;
Review tools to model and manage financial risk at the producer level; and,
Gain insight required to develop and implement a financial risk management plan. 

        Meet Your Facilitator: 

Shea Ferster, CPA, CA, is a Business Advisor with MNP’s Agricultural Services team. Based in Saskatoon, Shea has 18 years of public practice experience and is actively involved in the operations of his family farm. He works primarily with owner-operated agriculture businesses, including the Hutterian Brethren. In addition, he is the coordinator of MNP’s Farm Income Support Programs group for the Saskatchewan region. 

Drawing on his extensive knowledge of agriculture and the various farm income programs available, Shea helps clients manage their risk and identify unique opportunities for increased success. His aim is to help create customized solutions for Ag producers so that they can positively impact profitability and achieve their business and personal goals. 

Shea was designated a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2002 after graduating from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.


        
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Time management isn’t simple.  Effectively managing time is a requirement in the fast paced business world and understanding the steps required will help both owners and their employees in their day to day roles.  

        Upon completion of this webinar, participants will:

            
understand the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,
understand the importance of prioritizing,
recognize and understand the time management principles,
develop an understanding of time traps,
understand the time management matrix,
learn what it takes to live in Quadrant ll,
implement a six step process for effectively managing time, and
understand the differences between designated and discretionary time.

        Meet Your Facilitator: 

Janice Decelles is a Senior Consultant in the Consulting practice of MNP.  Her focus since joining the firm in 2005 Is to provide training and consulting to self employment clients and general human resource services.  An expert facilitator and instructional designer, she has extensive training management experience in the insurance and financial services sectors and is a certified customer service trainer.  Skilled in both individual and group training, Janice prides herself on being a positive contributor to her clients’ overall success.  Janice holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and an Advanced Certificate in Human Resources. 


        
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Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has ever changing requirements surrounding GST/HST and as a business owner you are required to comply with the applicable rules. Failure to comply can result in significant penalties and interest, to the detriment of your cash flow.  

        During this session, tax experts will:

            
provide a comprehensive overview of how government and professionals work together,
provide insight into current areas that CRA is reviewing and some of the common deficiencies found, and
share useful tips that will make remittance and filing more accurate and time effective.

        Meet Your Facilitator: 

Jeff Harrison is a Senior Manager with MNP’s national indirect tax team for the past 4 years and is located in our Regina MNP office.  He is an indirect tax specialist with over 26 years’ experience in Canadian sales taxes.  Jeff works with all forms and sizes of business across Canada to guide them through the sales tax rules, including support through audits and appeals.  He facilitates both internal MNP courses, external presentations and CPA Saskatchewan GST/HST courses.   


        
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Business owners are passionate about their products or services, but passion is not enough. Owners need to learn the fundamental strategies necessary to effectively sell their products and services to their target markets. 

        This webinar helps participants explore:

            
the sales process from prospecting to closing the sale, and
the concept of Solution Selling.

        Meet Your Facilitator: 

Janice Decelles is a Senior Consultant in the Consulting practice of MNP.  Her focus since joining the firm in 2005 Is to provide training and consulting to self employment clients and general human resource services.  An expert facilitator and instructional designer, she has extensive training management experience in the insurance and financial services sectors and is a certified customer service trainer.  Skilled in both individual and group training, Janice prides herself on being a positive contributor to her clients’ overall success.  Janice holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and an Advanced Certificate in Human Resources. 


        
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Reading and understanding financial information is one of the most important tasks of a business owner.  However, for most business owners, the accounting and financial aspect of the business is not their background and learning financial fluency is a necessity in today’s marketplace.  

        This session organized into a two part series provides:

            
insight into financial statements and practical ways to use this information to identify the areas of the business that are flourishing and the areas that require improvement,
discussions on key areas of financial statements that determine if fraud is a factor in the business,
insight into cash requirements and what budgeting is required, and
identification of immediate business strategies to increase revenues and decrease expenditures.

        Meet Your Facilitator: 

Annette Bester is a partner in MNP’s Saskatoon office. Partnering and working with companies in all stages of their business cycle for almost 19 years, Annette helps to support and strengthen their leadership. Over her career Annette has worked with a number of businesses with a focus to helping clients understand not just their historical financial information but what the information is telling them from a forward-looking perspective.


        
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