Newsletter:
November 2017


Message from the Chair 
A few years ago, my organization received a project grant from Status of Women Canada to carry out an initiative centred on the way in which women adopt technology in their small businesses. We worked on collecting data and identifying issues and found that there were three major barriers to technology adoption for our clients: cost of technological solutions that might soon require costly upgrades; lack of trust of purveyors of technology who had their own product solutions to sell rather than focussing on client needs; and, lack of time for training for staff to use the technology that was ostensibly purchased to save time and create efficiencies.
 
Times have changed. Women business owners are more knowledgeable than before, technology is generally less expensive and training packages usually accompany most significant hardware or software purchases. However, there is still a great deal of ambiguity around what constitutes the right solution for each business and an increase in purchase or leasing options makes the buying decision even more difficult.
 
I was telling this story to a contact we have with Microsoft Canada and he came up with the idea to have Microsoft provide WEOC with some articles and information about technology specifically geared to women entrepreneurs and a small sponsorship in exchange for which we would disseminate those articles to our member organizations who would, if they saw the value, post them or further disseminate them to members.
 
I think it’s a win-win situation. Over the next few issues of our newsletter we’ll be publishing the Microsoft blogs that we hope will help your constituents to make better technology buying decisions. These articles, it is understood, are not to be sales oriented but only to inform and instruct. Today’s article is the introduction and frame to the series. We’re always trying to get useful information out to our entrepreneurs. Please let us know what you think and if we are achieving our desired objective. 

Regards,
Sandra Altner
In This Issue: 
  • Microsoft Partnership
  • NLOWE: 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
  • BWIT: Go for the Greens
  • CIPO Webinar
Tech Article Series by Microsoft
WEOC is pleased to announce a new partnership with Microsoft that aims to bring women entrepreneurs insight into the growing tech trend in business.

Microsoft is writing a series that focuses on digital transformation and what this means for business owners. These articles will not only try to provide an understanding of this evolving tech trend, but will also give tips and advice on how to embrace tech to grow your business or your constituents' businesses.

The first article in the series, Digital transformation. What is it and why should you care? can be found on the WEOC website. If you have any questions concerning digital transformation and what it means for your business or your constituents' businesses, please do not hesitate to contact WEOC via email or on social media.
NLOWE: 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Gala
The Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs ( NLOWE) is pleased to announce that its 20th Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Gala was a tremendous success! Held on October 26th in St. John’s, the awards gala attracted nearly 200 representatives of government, industry and the business community to join in the celebration of our award winners. These prestigious awards recognized outstanding women entrepreneurs whose successful businesses and achievements contribute to the provincial economy and to their communities as well as the corporations whose support is contributing to their success.
Patsy Tremblett-Di Nillo of Prima Information Solutions Inc. in St. John’s took home the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. The Young Entrepreneur Award was awarded to Krystal Hobbs of Reflective Marketing in St. John’s. Deborah Bourden and Wilma Hartmann, owners of Anchor Inn Hotel & Suites in Twillingate won the Economic Impact Award. Sarah Parker Charles and Nancy Shepherd Bragg of Carvel & Helm Interior Design Inc. in St. John’s received the Momentum Award. The Trendsetter Award went to Kim Paddon, owner of Whink Inc. in St. John’s. Alicia MacDonald and Sonja Mills of Port Rexton Brewing Company in Port Rexton were the winners of the Trailblazer Award.

Videos of the award winners are now available for viewing on NLOWE’s YouTube Channel.
Business Women in International Trade (BWIT)
The Business Women in International Trade (BWIT) Program of Global Affairs Canada, in partnership with the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) and the Consulate General of Canada in Miami, is leading a trade mission to the tenth annual Go for the Greens (GFTG) Business Development Conference for Women Entrepreneurs. The trade mission will take place from February 14-17, 2018, at the BoardWalk Resort, in Orlando, Florida.

What is Go for the Greens?
Go for the Greens is a high-level business development conference for women entrepreneurs seeking  supplier diversity opportunities through exclusive access to companies, government agencies and non-profits. The boutique conference offer:
  • Business Matchmakers: Opportunities for one-on-one business matchmaking meetings and informal networking between women-owned suppliers and corporate/government buyers
  • Educational Programming: Enhance your knowledge and learn about necessary tools to help you successfully grow your business through strategic and smart business topics
  • Valuable Networking: Unassigned seating, network with like-minded women from Canada and abroad who want to do business, collaborate and form strategic alliances
  • Golf Networking Event: Players of all levels are welcome to participate in the golfing experience to meet, talk business and bond over hole-in-ones

The BWIT Trade Mission will feature:
  • Preparatory webinars and Government of Canada programming
  • On-the-ground-support from BWIT Trade Commissioners
  • High calibre networking and potential business-to-business matchmaking meetings

Register to join the Canadian Delegation by visiting the trade mission webpage or for more information email BWIT.
Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs
CIPO Webinar: Women entrepreneurs and intellectual property (IP)
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) invites you to the launch of their intellectual property (IP) foundations webinar tailored for women entrepreneurs and innovators. This webinar will demystify trademarks, patents, trade secrets, industrial design and copyright. It will also outline the value of your IP so that you will understand how to use it to your business’s advantage.

The launch date of November 17 coincides with celebrations around Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, held annually on November 19.

Cost is free but online registration is required. Please visit the CIPO calendar of events to register today!
Upcoming Events
2017 WE FOR SHE Forum 
November 17, 2017 
Vancouver, BC |  Learn more here
WEConnect International in Canada Power the Economy Conference  
November 30, 2017 
Toronto, ON |  Learn more here
SHEday 2018
January 26, 2018 
Winnipeg, MB | Follow on social media
BWIT Trade Mission: Go for the Greens
February 14-17, 2018 
Orlando, FL |  Learn more here
WEOC Board

Sandra Altner , Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba
Paula Sheppard , Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs
Laurel Douglas , Women's Enterprise Centre of British Columbia
Marcela Mandeville , Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
Ruth Vachon , Femmes, Affaires et Développement
Prabha Mitchell , Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan    

Want to become a member of WEOC? Interested in resources for women entrepreneurs and women entrepreneur support organizations? Find these and much more at our website: