Sunday October 17th, 2010 Business Resources @ Your Library

In 1979, Small Business Week began as a small celebration in British Columbia. In 1981, the Business Development Bank of Canada, the BDC, officially launched it across the nation. Small Business Week celebrates entrepreneurship and small businesses, acknowledging the contributions they make to the economy. The theme this year is Power Up Your Business. Invest. Innovate. Grow. and runs from October 17 to 23.

There are many online resources for entrepreneurs. The BDC website has an Advice Centre page where you will find articles, tips and tools to help you start and run a business. Free information available includes business plan templates, a self-assessment quiz and advice from professionals. Another website is the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade which has an online guide for small businesses as well as a section for small and medium enterprises. This section has links that will connect you to Service Ontario which has a wealth of information.

The Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) also has many resources to help you build your business: books, periodicals, company directories, online databases, electronic resources and more. There are two documents available online through TBPL’s website: The Public Library as Your Silent Business Partner: Information and Services for Small Businesses and The Services to Business Guide. The first outlines the resources available at the library and the second outlines the steps and stages in starting your own business and lists resources to help you along the way.

The Ultimate Small Business Marketing Toolkit by Beth Goldstein has tips and worksheets that encourage you to think about your business, the customers, partnerships, and much more. It also includes a CD-ROM with the worksheets for you to print out to work on. This book is full of resources and information, with eight objectives for marketing your small business.

If you are looking for personal anecdotes and advice, Starting a Business is a title in the Lessons Learned series. Top business leaders from around the world offer guidance and tips in these easy to read lessons. Each short personal story lists key points, summarizing what you can learn from their experience.

Get Growing: Keys to Unlocking the Potential of Your Small Business by David Wilton and Kyle McNamara has a Canadian focus. This book provides advice for small business owners and shares success stories. Steps and strategies for sales, marketing, finances and human resources, as well as online links make this a great read.

Also available at TBPL are books by author Iain Williamson, entrepreneur and business consultant. He has written numerous titles that would be beneficial to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Through the virtual collection, you have access to the Canadian Business and Current Affairs database. This online database is updated daily and gives you access to information from trade publications, magazines and newspapers. As you consider becoming your own boss or as you strive to have your business be a success, remember the library as a business planning resource.

Laura McCormack, Library Technician