Resources to Help Your Business Grow.

Guidance on the information and sections to consider when developing a business plan.

A visual planning tool to help map out the key elements of your business model on one page.

A practical guide to the key steps involved in turning a business idea into a new business.

A comprehensive starting point covering the considerations and steps involved in launching a business in rural Alberta.

A simple checklist to help you work through the essential tasks involved in setting up a business.

A detailed working resource to guide you through developing the different components of your business plan.

Questions and considerations to help determine whether your business idea has the potential to become a viable business.

A self-reflection tool to explore whether entrepreneurship fits your strengths, expectations and goals.

An introductory resource exploring some of the factors that contribute to small business success.

A quick overview of why business planning matters and how a plan can support better decisions.

Excellent Idea/Launch resource for quickly mapping a business model before writing a full plan.

Useful for entrepreneurs who need to test an idea before investing heavily in launch.

Useful bridge between business planning and marketing to clarify why customers should choose the business.

Activity-based resource for helping children imagine and develop a business idea.

Compare considerations around different forms of capital when financing startup or growth.

A plain-language introduction to the financial concepts small business owners need to understand.

Learn how to calculate the sales level needed for your business to cover its costs.

An introduction to the core financial statements and what they can tell you about your business.

A plain-language reference to common financial and accounting terminology used in business.

Guidance on when you may need an accountant and what to consider when choosing one.

Information to help you understand and evaluate accounting software for your business.

Practical guidance for keeping accurate, organized business financial records.

Learn the five areas lenders commonly consider when assessing a business financing application.

Explore different sources of business capital and some of the benefits and risks associated with financing.

A short introduction to how business financing works, including the Five C's of lending and preparing to approach a lender.

Practical financial planning tool that could supplement the CF cash-flow resources.

A worksheet focused on differentiating your business from competitors in ways that matter to your target customers.

A guided exercise to help define your target market and better understand the customers you want to reach.

Explore different ways to reach customers and consider which marketing channels make the most sense for your business.

A planning tool to map your marketing activities and campaigns across the year.

A structured template for defining your target market, marketing goals, strategies and activities.

A short introduction to foundational marketing concepts for small business owners.

Learn the basics of researching your market and understanding customers, competitors and opportunities.

Useful tool for businesses trying to determine whether traditional/offline marketing is actually working.

A starting resource for understanding responsibilities and considerations when becoming an employer.

Access information about minimum employment standards and employer responsibilities in Alberta.

Assess whether your current cash flow can support adding employees as your business grows.

A practical checklist of important questions and tasks to work through when considering the purchase of an existing business.

A practical introduction to commercial leasing, including common lease clauses and considerations when negotiating rent and utilities.

Potential Growth-stage resource focused on understanding and tracking sales performance.

An occupational health and safety toolkit.