December 17, 2020
Together We Can
BUSINESS RESOURCES
Flood. Cyber attack. Supply chain failure or losing a key employee. Disruptions to your business can happen at any moment.
Business continuity is about having a plan to deal with difficult situations, so your organization can continue to function with as little disruption as possible.
Whether it’s a business, public sector organization, or charity, you need to know how you can keep going under any circumstances.
We want to make sure your business is prepared. On our website you will find the Business Emergency Continuity Plan which includes easy to use templates to help you address potential vulnerabilities that could cause disruption and
business loss. The toolkit will take you through the six business functions which include: people; data; operations; inventory; equipment; and buildings.
By working through each of the six business functions you will be able to identify, prioritize and minimize risks for your business. Fill out your toolkit by clicking the link below.
Is your business able to assist in the event of an emergency?
A huge factor in Emergency Preparedness planning is not only being aware of potential risks and hazards in our community, it is also knowing which businesses have resources to assist the town in the case of an emergency. If you haven't yet filled out the Business Resources form please do so by clicking the link below. All information will be kept confidential and only shared with the Stettler Regional Board of Trade & Community Development and the Stettler Regional Emergency Management Agency.
Main Street Construction Begins
The construction process is expected to last approximately six (6) weeks and will consist of sidewalk replacements, enhanced bulbing features and watermain replacements.
We are working on a promotional campaign to ensure residents know that they can still visit the businesses impacted by the construction. If your business is affected by the contruction and is offering options for shopping such as online or pickup/delivery please let us know so we can assist in getting the word out. The important thing to remember is that while construction can cause some temporary frustration the long term results far outway the setbacks and prevent major damage.
Today marks the beginning of Mental Health Week.
While running a business has never been an easy task, this past year has resulted in business owners facing new struggles and challenges almost daily. Please read the following article by BDC and let's make sure we open communication and realize that no one needs to face mental health struggles alone. Find more resources at mentalhealthweek.ca
It's time we talk about Canadian entrepreneurs' mental...

BDC is Canada's bank for entrepreneurs. To put that simply: BDC wants entrepreneurs to succeed and grow. That is our purpose as an organization, but now we see that their success relies on more than just financing and advice. For entrepreneurs to ...

Read more
www.bdc.ca
Cyber Attacks Such as Ransomware Becoming More Frequent
Disasters can come in many forms, most recently we are seeing the devasting effects of cyber hackers who turn our technology against us. Becoming increasingly more frequent are ransomware attacks. Click the link below for a new story to learn what is happening not far from home. Preventive measures like backing up data regularly on a secure hard drive is one way to prepare as well as ensuring employees realize the risk of these types of attacks. 
One section of the Business Continuity Toolkit is the importance of safe guarding your data. No matter where your data is stored (in your head, in print, on servers, or in the cloud) you need to protect it. Data should be in an electronic format or printed as vital records. It can also be in the heads of your key people or in the very processes you use to run your business. It is important for a business to record and manage its data to maintain critical business functions during and after a disaster.
April 2021 update:
Applications for additional payment
Applications for an additional payment of the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant for organizations impacted by the April 2021 health public health orders are open.
The payment is calculated as 15% of the eligible organization's pre-curtailed monthly revenue to a maximum of $10,000.
Eligible organizations must demonstrate a revenue reduction of 30% as well as meet the program’s other eligibility criteria.
Learning and Development Opportunities
Making Procurement Part of Your Small Business Plan
Many small business owners are intimidated by the prospect of bidding on a government contract, but contrary to popular belief, close to 90% of contracts go to small and medium businesses.
If you are a growing small business looking for opportunities to expand your sales, a successful contract bid with the Government of Canada may be a game changer for your bottom line. Learn about the processes you need to know in the 4 part series webinar presented by Business Link. For more details or to register visit the link below:
Community
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