Female: We’re going to talk a bout getting t o work today. But what id you want to stay home and get out of the rat race. We’re going to talk to Terry Gilbert the CEO of small business BC about starting off a home based business. And some of the things you could you should consider before getting started. Let’s go in and check it out.
So Terry tell me what some of the other things people should consider when they starting a small business at their own business?
Teri: Well I think the 1st thing that they need to consider is whether or not starting business at all is the right thing for their personality. Do they have the right traits and characteristics to make it work.
Lindsay: Sounds that crazy are they are the more likely there are to succeed in business?
Teri: Well you know it can help. The more tolerance to risk that they can have, probably the better off they're going to be on being an entrepreneur.
Lindsay: So when you’re out there and you’re starting the business on you own. You have to create this presence that you’re bigger than you really are. And technology can rally play a real key part in that.
Can you tell me a little bit about how or what things people should consider on the technology side of starting small business?
Teri: Absolutely, I think they need to look at the nature of their business. And the type of virtual presence they may want to have, depending on whether or not they’re marketing goods or services that will drive the type of site. That they may want to develop and whether not want to have an eCommerce functionality or whether or not they want to have a blog site. That has some entry activity with their client group or target market, so they need to consider like what that presence is going doing for them. Is it a primary marketing vehicle or it is a place to do transactions?
Lindsay: How many businesses are actually online using taking advantage on what’s going on life?
Teri: You know there some really surprising statistics.
Lindsay: It’s like 80%?
Teri: I would hope so, but you know it’s only 39%.
Lindsay: Ouch that’s awful.
Teri: I know.
Lindsay: And maybe ends what are we doing?
Teri: I don’t know and even smaller segments are actually conducting transactions online like using epop. Only 8%.
Lindsay: 8% of business that is definitely a surprising stat, something we’re going to have to work to change, so when people are out there same as small business owner. And just going to out there and start my own business, where do I go to find information and resources just tell me what I need to do next in terms of building my business. And trying to find the technology that I need.
Teri: Well strangely enough a great place to go is online. And there are number of resources but there’s some great credible resources that have back by the federal government. Under the umbrella of Canada business, I got TA as well I got a website called EBC.CA.m like tons of information about how to get started with your website. And all the considerations that you may want to think about before actually taking that next step.
Lindsay: So in the center of that we are in today, if I were to walk in here and say. Starting a small business I need some resources, what kind of resources what will I find here.
Teri: You will find a lot of experts in the field about will definitely help in a multitude of aspects of business. Especially around technology so we have people who’ve develop websites who work on the field who can really get some good coaching about what you need to consider to get an effect of website that al for your business.
Lindsay: And what it is when I find tools for actually implementing and doing that myself if I’m in small business owner. Or would they find tools for outsourcing it?
Teri: Well they will actually give you the range options and you’ve mentioned them. I certainly could do it on your own if you will like and there’s a lots of interactive tools for that. But if you want to have a fabulous website you want to bring in the expertise that is required. And unless that’s your area of business, we would generally suggest that you look at a web design or a developer to create the present that’s going to be effective of your business.
Lindsay: Because that is really important to have a professional looking persona when you’re on. You want to actually see bigger than your really are.
Teri: Absolutely.
Lindsay: Do you have people come in and are do they ask you or like I’m kind of afraid to get a web presence or anything like that. What kind of questions you get.
Teri: Incredibly diverse questions that range from the nature of business that is in. So if they’re just starting out, there are people who don’t even really understand how you get to the domain name or whatever the applications of that. And you know the how about may relate to other trade marking issues and etc. There are other folks that have a website or having an established business and wanting to engage in Ecommerce. So their questions are real a lot more sophisticated and trying to figure out ways that they can really move in that direction.
Lindsay: Wow. Well thank Teri, there you have it if you’re looking to start your own business or do more stuff online. You definitely want to check out small business BC or one of the centers in your province.
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