Report to: Economic Development Committee                                Report Date: June 16, 2009

 

 

SUBJECT:                          2009 Markham Small Business Enterprise Centre Marketing Plan

PREPARED BY:               Sandra Tam, Manager, (905) 248-2736

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “Markham Small Business Enterprise Centre Marketing Plan” be received and endorsed.

 

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Markham Small Business Enterprise Centre is a core service within the Town’s economic development program.  The MSBEC’s 2009-2010 Marketing Plan is designed to build on the success of the program to-date, and to respond to the growing demand for its services through development of new partnerships, service delivery innovations, and pursuit of increased core funding from its public sector and private sector partners.

 

1. Purpose                     2. Background                      3. Discussion                        4. Financial        

 

5. Others (HR, Strategic, Affected Units)                                   6. Attachment(s)

 

PURPOSE:

To highlight the performance and business results achieved in 2008-2009, and to present the Markham Small Business Enterprise Centre’s 2009-2010 Marketing Plan.

 

 

BACKGROUND:

MSBEC was established in June 2003 and is funded by the Town of Markham and the Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services, in partnership with the private sector.  MSBEC provides Markham’s aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small businesses with high quality one-on-one management consulting, educational training, and the business resources needed to sustain their growth in today’s intensely competitive marketplace.  MSBEC focuses on providing support to start-up and small enterprises (SMEs) during their first five years of operation by building strategic partnership, providing excellent management assistance, educational programs and helpful resources.  MSBEC is managed by a full-time Markham economic developer, Sandra Tam, who is assisted by a full-time Small Business Coordinator, Don De Los Santos.

 

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

MSBEC is assisted by an Advisory Board of funding sponsors and partners that meets quarterly to review the MSBEC operation and provide feedback and advice relating to the strategic direction of the Centre.  Members of the Advisory Board are:

 

 

Co-Chairs:     

Tony Wong                                                      Stephen Wong

Regional Councillor                                           President

Chair of Economic Development                       ESM Group Inc.

Town of Markham

 

Members:      

Stephen A. Chait                                              Catherine Biss

Director of Economic Development                   CEO

Town of Markham                                            Markham Public Library

 

Ted Northcott                                                  Jennifer Figueira

Regional Advisor, Central Region                      Sales Manager – Small Business

Ministry of Small Business and              RBC Royal Bank

    Consumer Services

 

George Simpson                                               Deepak Bajaj

Senior Manager                                                Acting Director, Industry Innovation

BDO Dunwoody LLP                                      Seneca College            

Chartered Accountants & Advisors

 

Richard Cunningham

President  & CEO

Markham Board of Trade

 

Performance Indicators

 

Among the key accomplishments of the MSBEC in 2008-2009 were:

 

1)  Economic Impact

 

MSBEC is dedicated to strengthening Markham businesses and creating economic growth.  Its efforts have made an impressive impact on the small business community.  By providing useful business information and advice to start-ups and existing small businesses in Markham, MSBEC facilitates new business starts, business expansions and increase employment.  Based on the results of on going client surveys, 80 businesses were either started or expanded in 2008 (Table 1).

 

Most importantly, by providing early-stage support to SMEs, MSBEC caters to helping these businesses succeed, thereby generating a long-term impact that benefits the small and medium size business sectors.

 

 

 

 

 

Table 1: ECONOMIC IMPACT TARGETS

 

Economic Impact

 

2008-2009 Projected

2008-2009 Actual

%

Business Started

60

71

+18%

Business Expanded

8

9

+12%

Jobs Created

80

84

+5%

 

 

2)  Support and Encourage Entrepreneurship:

 

MSBEC has been involved in many programs, activities and small events to support and serve the small business community in Markham.  In 2008-2009 MSBEC received/completed:

§         1,996 general client inquiries

§         61,470 web-based client contacts

§         272 one-on-one consultations

§         22 seminars/workshops/networking events

§         8 site visits to existing businesses

 

In addition, the Centre continued to deliver the following premier small business events to facilitate small business growth and development:

 

·        Celebrated the “Small Business Month” with a premier small business conference that attracted more than 100 small business owners and leaders from Markham and the surrounding area.

 

·        Initiated the monthly Small Business Networking Group to provide networking and wisdom-exchange opportunities to entrepreneurs.

 

·        In conjunction with local accounting community, the Accounting Mentorship Program provided professional advice to 7 clients.

 

 

3)  Initiate focused assistance to the Cultural Industries:

 

·        In alignment with Town of Markham’s strategic focus, and in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services, organized a well-received Arts Entrepreneurship Workshop and Networking event to link the arts and cultural enterprises to resources and trainings to help them grow their business.

 

4)  Address diverse needs of Markham businesses:

 

·        In partnership with the Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services, successfully delivered the “Succeeding In The Canadian Market” Small Business Forum which provides the tools and necessary business skills for small businesses to succeed.

·        Assisted by Town of Markham’s Strategic Services, a customer satisfaction survey was conducted to measure customer satisfaction levels and to determine priorities for improvement. The survey results demonstrated a very high level of customer satisfaction for all of the MSBEC services.

 

 

5)  Promote and encourage Youth Entrepreneurship among Markham youths:

 

·        Delivered the sixth Secondary School Business Plan Competition to Markham youths.

·        Successfully administered the Ontario Summer Company Program and three Markham youths were awarded after successful completion of the Program.  Since 2001, 33 students were awarded through MSBEC.

·        Presented “Entrepreneurship” sessions at 4 local schools/youth groups (attendance: 177).

·        Hosted the Ontario Provincial/Regional Secondary School Business Plan Competition Awards – Central Region

 

 

6)  Maximize and leverage partnerships and collaborations to benefit clients and stakeholders:

 

 

·   Markham Board of Trade offers privileged membership program to MSBEC clients.

·   BDO Dunwoody LLP Chartered Accountants and Advisors continues to provide free 30-minute free accounting/taxation consultations to MSBEC clients.

 

 

7)  Increase external funding and generate earned revenue:

 

·        Obtained non-regular additional funding of $45,079 from MSBE.

·        Raised $6,500 cash contribution from private sponsors.

·        Received $5,000 in-kind contribution from private sponsors.

·         Earned event revenue $2,986.

 

 

8)  Promote and position Markham/MSBEC as a leader in providing business development assistance:

 

·   Received extensive media coverage for events hosted

·   Presented (in English and Mandarin) 10 “Starting A Small Business In Ontario” seminars to ethnic business associations and community service groups.

 

 

MSBEC 2009-2010 Financial Plan

 

MSBEC has maintained an excellent record of leveraging its core funding from the Town of Markham and achieving year over year increases in earned revenue, all of which are deployed as operating funds.  In 2008-09, the Centre has been successful in obtaining non-core program funding of $29,500 and non-regular additional funding of $34,000 from provincial partner Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services.  In 2009-2010, MSBEC intends to leverage Markham’s contribution through sponsorships, grants, and earned revenue.

 

2009-2010: MSBEC Budget

 

·        Salaries and benefits                                                                       $160,125

·        Office related expenses                                                                         1,086

·        Business development and meetings                                                    28,154

·        Grants and sponsorships                                                                   (71,334)

Total Net Operating Budget                                                                  $118,031

 

 

Key Objectives and Strategic Plan 2009-10:

 

To meet the growing demand for services, MSBEC’s key strategies in 2009-10 include:

·        Pursue strategic partnership with diverse business groups: 

Surveys show that Markham is the most ethnically diverse community in Canada.  In keeping with the Town’s diversity strategy, the Centre plans to raise its awareness among immigrant entrepreneurs who are currently underserved. 

 

·        Enhance MSBEC’s services to support existing businesses:

Centre Manager plans to carry out site visits to at least 4 – 8 existing businesses once a month.  The objective is to bring services to businesses, to address their common needs and to collect market intelligence, which in turn will benefit the small business community.

 

Key objectives to serve the three major client groups are established; and action plans to achieve these objectives are described as follows:

 

1)      Business Start-ups:

Objectives:  i.     Increase support to start-ups

                    ii.    Maintain the number of seminars and workshops

                    iii.   Increase support to Cultural Industries

 

Actions:        i.    Implementation of BizPal

                     ii.   Explore the option of expanding “Meet The Expert” Program.

                     iii.  Run 3 events in collaboration with Markham Culture Dept and

                           Markham Arts Council.

 

      2)   Existing Businesses:

            Objectives:    i.    Provide Networking Opportunities.

                                 ii.   Enhance business growth skills.

 

            Actions:         i.    Host industry specific events.

                                 ii.   Carry out site visits to existing businesses (at least 4 per month).

 

      3)   Youth:

            Objectives:    i.    Increase awareness of entrepreneurship to community youth.

 

            Actions:         i.    Keep constant communication with local youth groups, business

                                       Heads and teachers to inform them of youth related programs.

ii.   Host a youth specific open house.

iii. Enhance information displays in libraries and community centres.

 

Conclusion:

 

For the 2009-2010 year, MSBEC plans to assist 2,500 client enquiries, offer 300 consultations, and deliver 12 seminars and workshops.  MSBEC will also be continuing with youth entrepreneurship programs such as Summer Company and Secondary School Business Plan Competition.  MSBEC plans to make a number of enhancements to the programs and services that are offered.  These include the implementation of some of the recommendations that were included in the Customer Satisfaction Survey that was conducted in early 2009. 

 

In the face of growing demand for services, and limited funding resources, the MSBEC Manager and the Director of Economic Development will monitor the demand for service over the course of the year and will pursue discussions with community partners regarding strategies for increasing the capacity of the MSBEC to service growing demand.

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

The 2009-10 financial data are based on the approved 2009 budget levels..

 

 

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS

Not Applicable.

 

 

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

The Markham Small Business Enterprise Centre is a core service within the approved Markham 2020 economic strategy.

 

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

MSBEC Advisory Board.

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDED

                            BY:    ________________________          ________________________

                                      Stephen Chait, Ec.D., CMC               Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

                                      Director of Economic                          Commissioner of

                                      Development                                      Development Services

 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS: