Going ‘Beyond the Basics’ with local small business owners
Running a small business is a challenging venture. Owners must brace for long hours, lack of sleep, and the inevitable “I’m in over my head” moment.
With passion and a solid plan, operations can grow and thrive. But when it’s time to take things to another level, finding proper instruction can prove difficult.
That’s where DeGroote’s Beyond the Basics for Small Business program comes into play.
A joint venture of Executive Education and the Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), the program will cover four key topics – Governance, Succession Planning, Risk Management and Talent Management.
Specifically designed for family-owned and closely-held companies in the Hamilton and Burlington area, Beyond the Basics will offer lectures, group discussions, break-out sessions, role-playing and other educational activities during four full-day courses.
“Being able to play a role in the continued success of local small businesses is important for us,” says Dave Mammoliti, Manager, Executive Education. “It’s all about transferring knowledge from the classroom to the community, and we’re thrilled to count BEDC as a partner on this front.”
The opening session, Governance, will take place Wednesday, March 30. Pat Mostacci was one of the first to register.
“I like to think that we operate like a big family,” says Mostacci, Executive Director of Villa Italia Retirement Residence in Hamilton. “We have board members who have been with us for 25 years, and some of their children have now stepped into the boardroom.”
Mostacci and the residence’s Marketing Manager, Anita Biscak, are hoping Beyond the Basics will reinforce most of what they’re already doing, while offering new tips when it comes to topics such as succession planning and formalizing certain aspects of their day-to-day operations.
“The goal is to have everyone on the same page,” Mostacci adds. “We want to have a clear vision of who we are and where we’re going in the near future.”
Linnea Chamberlain, Vice President, Chamberlain Group of Companies, says she’s eager to “meet the peers I don’t already know” while participating in Beyond the Basics.
Her Burlington-based architecture firm, which employs roughly 35 people, was founded by her mother and father more than three decades ago. Employee turnover is quite low – which is great for maintaining a familial culture in the workplace. But Chamberlain knows a fresh, outside perspective is needed from time to time.
“DeGroote has a great reputation, and I like the fact that they’re active in the Halton area,” she explains. “We’ve always been cognizant of doing things the right way, and sometimes that requires external education.”
Registration is $895 for individual courses, or $3,195 for all four courses (including a 10 per cent discount). Breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages will be provided, along with all required reading material and tools.
To help offset registration costs, TD Canada Trust recently pledged to cover 50 per cent of the course fees for interested TD Business Banking customers.
“Small to medium-sized businesses make up about 40 per cent of the Canadian economy, and the success of entrepreneurs today can be closely tied to the advice and specialized guidance they receive,” says Scott Gamble, Senior Vice President, Small Business Banking, TD Bank Group, and a 1992 Commerce alumnus.
“TD is committed to our business customers and proud to work with the DeGroote Executive Education program to support local business development by promoting a deeper understanding of owning your business, and what it takes to fulfill your dreams of becoming successful business owners.”
All classes will be held at DeGroote’s Ron Joyce Centre, 4350 South Service Road in Burlington. Governance will take place March 30 (or July 27), Succession Planning April 27, Risk Management May 25, and Talent Management June 29.
For more information, please contact Lynn Petruzzella, Program Manager, at petruzl@mcmaster.ca or by telephone at 905-525-9140 ext. 20509.
