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In today's digital age, having a website is not just a luxury for small businesses—it's essential. As a small business in Durham Region, your website is the first impression for many potential customers. Whether you're just starting or have been operating for years, a well-designed website can be a game-changer for your business. Here's why:

1. Gain Trust and Build Credibility

A professionally built website makes your business look trustworthy and established. When customers can find you online, see your branding, and learn more about your offerings, it fosters a sense of trust. Without a website, potential clients might question your legitimacy or view you as behind the times.

2. Be Found by Potential Clients

More and more customers start their journey online, searching for local services and products. If your small business isn't showing up in search results, you're missing out on a huge pool of potential clients. A website with strong SEO helps your business appear in Google searches when clients are looking for exactly what you offer.

3. Showcase All Your Products and Services

A website allows you to showcase every product or service you offer in a visually appealing and organized way. Customers can easily browse your offerings, learn more about what makes your business unique, and even purchase or contact you directly.

4. Promote Your Expertise

Through blogs, news articles, or case studies, you can demonstrate that you are an expert in your field. By regularly posting valuable content, you're showing clients that you’re ahead of industry trends and have the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.

5. Display Testimonials and Success Stories

Happy clients are your best advocates. By featuring testimonials and reviews on your website, you’re providing proof that your business delivers on its promises. Potential clients can see that others have had positive experiences, boosting their confidence in choosing you.

Ready to Build or Improve Your Website?

If you're a small business in Durham Region and would like to learn more about how a website can transform your business, reach out to Chris Downey with Bloomtools Durham, at 905.447.0257 or chris.downey@bloomtools.ca. We’re here to help you build an online presence that increases trust, attracts new clients, and positions you as a leader in your industry.

Recruitment process outsourcing helps startups and small businesses thrive by leveraging flexibility, expertise, and efficiency, crucial for sustainable growth in a dynamic market.   Outsourced recruitment specialists bring the following ten (10) things to help you unlock your business potential through recruitment.

1.    Access to a Larger Talent Pool:  Outsourced recruitment specialists can tap into a broader pool of qualified candidates.

2.    Access to Technology: Providers invest in advanced technologies and tools, which might be expensive for start-ups or small businesses that do not have significant hiring needs.

3.    Candidate Experience:  Improve the candidate experience which leads to higher retention. 

4.    Flexibility and Scalability:   Quickly provides flexibility in scaling services based on the business's needs.

5.    Expertise and Specialization:   Engages with experienced professionals with expertise in current employment legislation and compliance.

6.    Focus on Core Business Competencies: Small businesses can redirect their energy and resources toward core competencies and strategic objectives.

7.    Adaptability to Market Changes: Small businesses need to quickly adapt to staffing demands.  Outsourcing allows this to happen without burdening the in-house operations team.

8.    Cost Savings:   Hiring and maintaining an in-house recruitment specialist can be expensive for small businesses.

9.    Time Efficiency:  Small businesses and startups may not have the time and resources to manage tasks efficiently.

10.  Risk Management and Compliance:  Recruitment specialists are well-versed in employment laws and regulations and can navigate complex compliance issues and reduce risk.

It is crucial for businesses to carefully choose their outsourcing partners and ensure alignment with their values, goals, and company culture. 

For more information on how to unlock your business potential through recruitment, work with an independent recruitment consultant who will partner with you and provide a solution tailored to your needs.    Contact Elaine Daniels at Oakdale Consulting at 289.314.1392 or elaine.daniels@oakdaleconsulting.ca.

Networking is a great way to get out and meet other like-minded business owners. There are so many opportunities in the Durham region to strut your stuff. Here are a few benefits that I have experienced from networking.

1. You meet a lot of great people! Networking is about meeting people to find out what business they own. Most networking groups are super friendly and people want to get to know you.

2. Practice your pitch Polish your "sales" message to other business owners and get feedback from like-minded people. Everyone is in the same boat and are happy to help you succeed.

3. Build a referral network Any business needs to use the services of other companies. From lawyers, accountants, financing, sign makers, websites, human resources, IT, and so on. I have met so many great people that I continue to use year after year.

4. Get clients and grow your business As you build relationships and people find out what you do, people will start referring business to you as a trusted source. It does take time to build trust but it will pay off in the long run.

The Durham Networking Association (DNA) has been around for over 10 years and prides itself on helping members build their business. Check out our website today to see if there is an opportunity for you to become a member.

We do accept only one member per profession.

For more information on joining the Durham Networking Association, contact us at 905-447-0257.

Stated income programs allow you to literally state your income to use to qualify for your mortgage. This is only available to the self-employed.

For example, if you are an IT professional running your own consulting business and you earn gross revenues of $100,000 a year, stating $80,000 as qualifying income could be reasonable. As an IT professional you probable do not have a lot of overhead or expenses as a consultant, so it makes sense to be stating a high net income relative to your gross revenue.

Remember stated income is not about your actual expenses and it is not about what you show on your tax returns. It is more of a reasoned approach to what your business could support for mortgage qualification. We do need some documentation that supports your current business activity.

Contact Us

The DNA will be hosting a Tax and Estate Planning Guest Speaker. 

Trevor is the Senior Tax and Estate Planning Advisor for Raymond James Ltd. Trevor works with
Raymond James advisors, their clients, accountants and lawyers in developing a broad range of tax
related strategies.

He was formerly National Sales Director of a national actuarial consulting company specializing in
creating retirement solutions for entrepreneurs and incorporated professionals. In that capacity he was
involved directly or indirectly in establishing over 2200 Individual Pension Plans and 500 Retirement
Compensation Arrangements, as well as a broad range of other structures and services. Trevor assists
advisors and other professionals in developing and implementing a wide range of tax focused solutions,
including in the realm of life insurance and living benefits.

Trevor contributed to the Essential IPP Guide, the Trusted Advisor Survival Kit and Advisors Seeking
Knowledge. He has also written for CALU, on a variety of subjects including insurance valuation issues,
and Individual Pension Plans. Trevor co-presented a paper on IPPs at this year's STEP National
Conference. He is currently working on book on tax and succession planning for professionals and
entrepreneurs that should be published in 2019.

Trevor was called to the Ontario Bar in 1996 and in 2019 was elected as a Bencher to the Law Society of
Ontario. He holds a Master Laws in Taxation from Osgoode Hall Law School, a Bachelor of Laws from
Queen's University, a Master of Arts in History from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts
from Trinity College at the University of Toronto.

In addition to being an Associate Member of CALU, Trevor is also a member of Advocis holding the
CLU designation, the Canadian Tax Foundation, , Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Hamilton
Law Association, Canadian Association of Farm Advisors, Ontario Bar Association, Royal Canadian
Military Institute, and the Albany Club.

Trevor is a regular speaker across Canada speaking on a broad range of tax and financial planning and
strategy related issues. He is a vehement defender of entrepreneurial spirit, personal responsibility, free
enterprise, free speech and liberty. He lives in Ancaster, Ontario with his wife Lindsey and their three
young daughters.

If your interested in attending this meeting please contact The Durham Networking Association today to book your spot.