One of the most challenging aspects of being an entrepreneur is the feeling of isolation that comes with having to make decisions alone. Many small business owners yearn for the opportunity to bounce their ideas and predicaments off like-minded entrepreneurs. Through our Small Business Network, the library strives to bring small business people (and aspiring business people) together, not only with each other, but with experts who […]
Greetings fellow film lovers! For the past several years I have purchased tickets to the Toronto Hot Docs Festival to catch some great documentary films. This year, however, I might have to miss the annual event which runs from April 23 to May 3. Fortunately, we have some fascinating films in the business department at the North York Central Library […]
Author photos courtesy of Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. If you read only one book about how to set up and run a business, make it REWORK by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. This book is jammed full of clever, sometimes funny, very practical advice that is easy to follow and carry through. Fried and Hansson are […]
A recent article in Canadian Business magazine talked about the arrival of Nordstrom's department store to the Canadian market. The American retailer–famous for its extensive shoe department–has already set up shop in Calgary, Ottawa and Vancouver. The focus of the story was Nordstrom's amazing (we're talking AMAZING) attention to customer service. The article cautioned other high-end Canadian retailers that the store's "gobsmackingly extraordinary service […]
Customers who visit the North York Central Library may overlook the business department (4th floor!) as a place to find thought-provoking, fascinating authors. I may have done the same thing until I started working here six months ago. Now, I’ve discovered there are many compelling business writers represented on our shelves. I would like to introduce some of them in a series of periodic […]
I was surprised to learn recently that more than half of all retail sales in Canada–accounting for more than $60 billion–are currently conducted through franchises. Given these statistics, one might think that purchasing a franchise is a perfect introduction to business ownership for aspiring entrepreneurs. As with all new business ventures, though, it's important to conduct extensive due diligence–or research–to […]
There are many books and articles written about how to implement and run a successful business. Until recently, however, not many authors have tackled the final, and maybe most important, phase of business ownership: selling the company. Whether owners want to face it or not, every business will be sold, given away or liquidated and, since no one lives […]
Currently in its eighth season on CBC, the Dragons' Den has been one of the most successful shows on Canadian television. The program features entrepreneurs making pitches to millionaire business owners (dragons) for investment money and professional support. The dragons, who ask hard-hitting questions to the hopeful contestants, have become business icons in the eyes of televison viewers. Many of the dragons have […]
Over the holidays many of us gathered for workplace functions and family dinners to celebrate the season. For most people, these events were distinctly separated as either vocational or personal affairs. But what if your father is your boss? What if your brother is your co-worker? When personal and professional relationships get blurred, the opportunity […]
Photo by Roger H. Goun. Licensed under a creative commons attribution license Does the thought of writing a business document make you want to flop on the couch with a bag of Cheetos and watch bad reality television? If so, you're not alone. One of the most common requests we get in the business department is for help with […]