Toolkit
Creating a Business Plan
What does a business plan look like? Here's how to write your plan and the key components to include. Read more
Building your business through social media marketing
Social media is a marketing gold mine for small businesses. And understanding the nuances of each social network can help you optimize your efforts and get the most bang for your buck. The best place to start is finding out where your customers are. Each site attracts...
What do I need to know about starting a franchise?
If you don’t want to start a business from scratch or buy an existing business, franchising may a good choice for you. Franchises employ over 1 million Canadians and generate approximately $68 billion in revenue every year.1 Franchising can reduce some of the risks of...
How to import goods into Canada and grow your business
It goes without saying that exporting your goods or services to another country or importing goods into Canada are great ways to grow your business. But with any great opportunity there are risks. So before you start to do business across borders, there are a...
Five common small business mistakes to avoid
It might seem like Arjun Kumar, winner of the BMO-sponsored AIR MILES®† For Business Small Business Achievement Award, has it all figured out when it comes to running a small business. But he didn’t get here without facing some adversity. Kumar, CEO at KAI...
Managing your GST, HST, and taxes
No matter if you have an accountant, or if you’re the one managing your finances, having a good understanding of how taxation applies to your business is critical. Click on the image below for an overview of what you need to know, the questions you should be able to...
Managing an unexpected absence from your business
This is the story of how I have been fighting cancer in the past year, while being the owner-operator of a small business. I hope it brings you a sense of calm if you, too, are faced with circumstances beyond your control. Or ideas for how you might prepare yourself...
Positioning your business for growth
If you’re like most entrepreneurs, growing your business is probably one of your biggest dreams. Your trusted Relationship Manager can help you achieve that dream by providing expert advice, customized financing, strategic direction, and more.