In celebration of this year’s Canadian Small Business Week, the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce is excited to offer a series of free learning opportunities designed to help local businesses thrive. We know that running a business involves wearing many hats, and some of those responsibilities—like managing compliance or mastering sales and marketing—can be unexpected and overwhelming.
To help you navigate these challenges and safeguard the future of your business, we’ve curated a lineup of valuable workshops. Our mission is to support the continued prosperity of our business community by empowering business owners with practical tools and skills. Through these free sessions, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to better protect the health and longevity of your organization, so you can keep doing what you do best.
All sessions are FREE but require pre-registration, except as indicated below.
Here’s what we’ve got planned:
Monday, October 21
10am-12pm: Occupational Health & Safety for Small Business
Speaker: Bill Chen, MSc., CRSP – Account Representative (Small Business) – Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
Overview: Small business owners, join us for an informative and practical presentation on Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety System. This session is tailored for small business owners, supervisors and employees looking to better understand their legal responsibilities and how to foster a safer workplace.
Key topics include:
- Overview of the Occupational Health and Safety system in Ontario.
- Understanding the legal responsibilities of employers, supervisors, and workers.
- Introduction to WSPS Small Business Centre.
- Free resources available to businesses.
12-2pm: Protect Your Business: The Essentials of Insurance for Small Business Owners
Speaker: Behishta Naeme, Managing Partner, Billyard Insurance Group (BIG)
Overview: Join us for an informative session on the critical role business insurance plays in protecting your company. Learn how to navigate today’s market, ensure you’re properly covered, and avoid potential risks that could impact your success.
Key Topics:
- The types of business insurance every small business needs.
- How to assess your coverage needs based on your industry.
- Common insurance pitfalls and how to avoid them.
- Tips for selecting the right insurance provider and policy for your business.
Tuesday, October 22
10am-12pm: Master Your Finances: 10 Essential Accounting & Tax Strategies for Small Business Success
Speakers:
Shemeka Massiah, CPA, TaxAssist Accountants Oshawa East
Dwight Massiah, MSc, TaxAssist Accountants Oshawa East
Robert Belle, FCCA, CPA (K), MSc, Business Development Consultant
Overview: Small business owners, don’t miss this essential workshop on accounting and tax preparation. Learn 10 actionable strategies to propel your business forward while protecting it from financial risks in the year ahead.
Key Topics Covered:
- Top accounting practices to streamline your business finances.
- Tax preparation tips to maximize deductions and minimize liabilities.
- How to protect your business from common financial pitfalls.
- Effective strategies to manage cash flow and increase profitability.
1-3pm: Tech Savvy Marketing: AI, Automation, and Tools to Grow Your Small Business
Speaker: Sara Norton, REPLY-ALL
Overview: Discover how AI and automation can streamline your marketing efforts and business operations. This workshop will help you get started with the right tech tools, enhance your email marketing and CRM strategies, and boost your efficiency with affordable, easy-to-use solutions.
Key Topics Include:
- How to get started with AI and automation for small business marketing.
- Choosing and implementing the right tech tools for your operations.
- Email marketing and CRM fundamentals to enhance customer engagement.
- Free and budget-friendly tools to improve productivity and efficiency.
Wednesday, October 23
10am-12pm: HR Essentials for Small Businesses: Protect, Lead, and Grow Your Team
Speaker: Corette Miller, ThryvX
Overview: Small business owners and leaders, join us for an essential workshop on human resources and recruiting. Learn what every SMB needs to know about HR, from legal requirements to building a productive team, while avoiding costly fines and employment claims.
Key Topics Include:
- HR must-haves for compliance and effective team management.
- Your role and responsibilities as an employer or leader.
- How to avoid legal pitfalls, fines, and employment claims.
- The ‘nice-to-have’ HR practices that can enhance your business culture and team dynamics.
12-2pm: How to Negotiate Like a Pro: Strategic Negotiations for Small-to-Medium Sized Business Leaders
Speaker: Jill Button, ProcurePro Consulting
Overview: Join us for a workshop on negotiation strategies that will help you save time and money while growing your business. Learn how to build a strong negotiation strategy, create leverage, and secure fair supplier contracts to enhance your bottom line.
Key Topics Include:
- Building a winning negotiation strategy for small businesses.
- Techniques to create leverage and maximize your position.
- How to link and trade for better deals with suppliers.
- Practical tips for negotiating fair, balanced contracts that support growth.
2-4pm: Legal Solutions for Small Businesses: Affordable Services & Litigation Preparedness
Speakers: Anisa Arra, Managing Partner, ALF LLP and Paola Beci, Partner, ALF LLP
Overview: Join us for an informative seminar on legal advice tailored to small businesses. Discover an innovative subscription-based fee structure that makes legal services more affordable and accessible than ever. Following this, dive into an in-depth presentation on the world of litigation for small businesses—what you need to know, what to expect, and how to sidestep expensive pitfalls. Whether you are just starting or looking to protect your growing enterprise, this seminar is packed with valuable insights you will not want to miss!
Key Topics Include:
- Introduction to ALF LLP’s subscription-based legal service model for small businesses;
- Key considerations when facing litigation as a small business owner;
- Common legal pitfalls to avoid in business disputes; and
- Practical steps to protect your business legally from potential risks.
This event is free for Oshawa Chamber Members, but you must be registered to attend.
Registration link: https://bit.ly/3N8T0yM
Thursday, October 24
8-11am
BCD Small Business Week Breakfast
(Paid, Ticketed Event)
Friday, October 25
10am-12pm: Boost Your Business with Emotional Intelligence: Lead, Engage, Succeed
Speaker: Peter Taylor, Peter Taylor & Associates
Overview: Join us for an insightful workshop on emotional intelligence and how it can help you lead a more engaged and effective workforce. In this session, you’ll learn how to apply emotional intelligence skills to improve leadership, foster better relationships with customers and suppliers, and create a positive work environment.
Key Topics Covered:
- Understanding the core principles of emotional intelligence (EQ) and its importance in business.
- How emotional intelligence can enhance leadership and team dynamics.
- Techniques to improve communication and collaboration with staff, customers, and suppliers.
- Practical strategies to apply emotional intelligence for better decision-making and problem-solving.
12-2PM: Cybersecurity on a Budget: Cost-Effective Tools for Small Business Security Audits
Speaker: Ali Abbas Mehboob Hirji, Computek + 369 Global
Overview: Small business owners, don’t let the idea of an IT security audit overwhelm you. Join us for a workshop where we’ll explore free and cost-effective tools to help you conduct a thorough security analysis, ensuring your business remains protected without breaking the bank.
Key Topics Covered:
- Overview of essential cybersecurity tools for small businesses.
- How to use free and low-cost tools for effective security audits.
- Practical steps to assess and improve your IT security posture.
- Tips for implementing and maintaining strong security practices on a budget.
Canadian Small Business Week is a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of small businesses in our community. By offering these free learning sessions, we’re helping you strengthen your business, so together, we can build a more prosperous future for Oshawa.
Join us in celebrating our vibrant business community by taking advantage of these free opportunities to upskill and grow!
Stay tuned for more details, and mark your calendars for these sessions. Let’s learn, grow, and celebrate Canadian Small Business Week together!
