Great Web Sites: Links to Your Future

by Elaine Garnet, CIC-SIG Coordinator

Dear Entrepreneur:

I have collected a few of my favourite web sites that might help you start or run a business. Some of them have huge lists of links that you can browse through until you discover an area of interest. This is not the ultimate list but it may help you build your own. Have fun!

Government Sites

The Ontario and Federal governments have a vested (tax) interest in providing you with the information necessary to start a small business. Despite their ulterior motives, the sites are hugely informative. I have even included several from Strategis, which is a database extraordinaire.

Federal Government

• http://businessgateway.ca/gol/bgateway/interface.nsf/vSSGBasic/bg20025e.htm
• http://www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/cgi-bin/allsites/motd/motDspl.pl?lang=e&link=/engdoc/main.html
• http://www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_x/engdoc/starting_business.html?guides=e_sta
• http://bsa.cbsc.org/gol/bsa/interface.nsf/engdoc/0.html (A really great start-up assistance plan)

Ontario Government

• http://www.gov.on.ca/MBS/english/government/business.html

The STC and More

This is the professional’s list prepared by the CIC-SIG group.

• http://www.stcsig.org/cic/pages/links.htm (If you visit no other, visit this one.)
• http://www.writersblock.ca/fall2000/busword.htm (I found this on the STC site as an example of the information available.)

Financial

Most banks have information for small businesses. I find the Royal Bank site useful for general information. Note that they have a special site for women entrepreneurs.

• http://www.royalbank.com/sme/index.html (Note the examples of business plans.)
• http://www.royalbank.com/sme/women/

Business Training and Information

These are local institutions that offer training, advice and information services.

• http://www.lutherwoodcoda.com/Employment/entrepreneur/default.asp
• http://www.guelphbusiness.com/
• http://www.bizenterprisecentre.com/
• http://www.kpl.org/ (Everyone needs to visit the business section at least once. The business librarian is a fount of information.)

Networking

These are local sites that offer online database searches of local businesses. You should consider attending some of their meetings. They are a great place to meet potential clients.

• http://www.greaterkwchamber.com/ (Most communities have a Chamber of Commerce.)
• http://communitech.org/
• http://www.techtriangle.com/english/ctt.html
• http://www.marketingmagic.ca/tips.htm
• http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040211/CAMOSES11/

If you find any other useful sites, please share them with me at elaine@wordstoorder.ca.

Sincerely,

Elaine Garnet

CIC-SIG Coordinator.