Alberta Business Help – About Us and Our Business Consultants

Since 1993, our business consultants have been helping Alberta business owners like you. Did you know that Alberta boasts the third-highest growth rate for businesses in Canada? Or that more than 21,000 new businesses are launched in this province every year? In fact, small businesses are a big part of what makes Alberta great. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to take your business to the next level, your success can be directly linked to how well you understand and adapt to the world of business in Alberta. Here are some helpful tips on how you can get started with or grow your small business in Alberta.

Stay informed

The first step to success is to stay informed about what’s happening in your industry, your marketplace and your local community. You can do this by being a regular reader of business publications, following Calgary business news and trends on social media and connecting with fellow businesspeople. You should also stay informed about Alberta government initiatives and regulations that might affect your business, such as upcoming changes to Canada’s tax laws.

Know your rights and obligations

Each province has its own set of laws that apply to business owners. If you’re starting a business in Alberta, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with important rights and obligations, such as the following: In Alberta, you have the right to make a living in any lawful manner, provided that it does not interfere with the rights of others. You also have the obligation to follow all federal and provincial laws and regulations that apply to your business, including applicable payroll taxes, health and safety standards, and employment and worker regulations.

Hiring can be easy — and it can be tricky

Hiring employees can be both easy and tricky — and it’s important to understand both sides of the equation before making a decision. The easy part is that there are federal and provincial programs that make the hiring process simpler and more cost-effective than ever before. The tricky part is that hiring employees can be expensive and time consuming. If you’re hiring employees, you’ll need to factor in costs like payroll deductions, employment standards and health and safety.

Your marketing game plan

Great businesses are built on great marketing strategies. If you want to succeed, you need to have a clear understanding of your target market, competitors and a game plan for marketing and selling your products or services. Marketing is more than just advertising. It involves a broad range of activities that help you attract and keep customers, build your brand and achieve your business objectives. The most important thing to remember is that marketing is an investment, not an expense. Once you develop a marketing plan and start implementing it, you’ll see results — whether it’s more customers, more sales or just better awareness of your business.

Important tax tips

All business owners need to keep income tax considerations in mind as they grow their businesses. Here are some tax tips to keep in mind as you do so: – You can deduct a wide range of business expenses. These include expenses such as employee wages, rent and other costs of doing business. – Make sure you keep good records. Having accurate records can make all the difference in the way the Canada Revenue Agency views your business and how much you owe. – If you’re a one-person operation, you may be eligible for some tax deductions that are normally available only to larger businesses. A tax consultant or tax lawyer can help you navigate the Canadian tax act to stay out of trouble with the CRA.

Bottom line

Your business will only be as successful as you make it. To grow your business, you need to be strategic, determined and focused. You also need to be flexible and ready to adapt to whatever challenges come your way. Successful businesses are not built in a day. They are built one day at a time, one step at a time and one decision at a time. The most important thing to remember is that you can’t do it alone. The key to success lies in your ability to collaborate with the right people and build the right network along the way.

We can help. Call us.