BDC gears up for Small Business Week, October 17-23 - Activities to promote
investment, innovation, growth

MONTREAL, Oct. 4 /CNW Telbec/ - The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is preparing to launch the 31st edition of Small Business Week(R), a BDC trademark event. This year, Small Business Week will run from October 17 to 23 under the theme: Power up your business. Invest. Innovate. Grow.

"Canadian entrepreneurs face intense global competition, rapid technological change and ever-increasing market demands," says Jean-René Halde, BDC's President and Chief Executive Officer. "To prosper in the post-recession economy, businesses have to adapt. At BDC, we encourage and support entrepreneurs as they tackle new challenges. We believe now is a good time for businesses to boost their competitive position by investing to become more efficient and innovative. This is reflected in the theme we've chosen for this year's edition of Small Business Week."

In the lead-up to Small Business Week, BDC has launched a dedicated website at www.bdc.ca/en/sbw2010 with detailed information about Small Business Week events and activities across Canada. This website also features data on the current state of Canadian entrepreneurship, a history of Small Business Week and a link to BDC's online Advice Centre.

Resources for the media at www.bdc.ca/en/sbw2010

    
    - Six articles that address key business challenges in the daily
      operations of a company.  Find out how to:
        - Better manage your cash flow
        - Invest in innovation
        - Tap into global supply chains to expand sales
        - Run an effective online marketing campaign
        - Implement an efficient green strategy
        - Recruit top talent ahead of your competitors

    - Success stories about Canadian entrepreneurs who have overcome business
      challenges and are profiting from new business opportunities.

    - Video testimonials from business owners who have repositioned their
      companies to take advantage of evolving market conditions.
    

BDC spokespeople across the country are available to provide information about Small Business Week and to comment on issues affecting entrepreneurs.

About Small Business Week

Small Business Week began in 1979 when BDC branches in BC's lower mainland pooled their resources to organize a series of business management training sessions. The first event and a follow-up event in 1980 were so successful that BDC officially launched Small Business Week across Canada in 1981. The initiative was quickly adopted by Canada's business community. Small Business Week is a trademark event that celebrates Canadian entrepreneurship at the local, provincial and national levels.

Sponsors of Small Business Week 2010

    
    - Deloitte
    - Cisco
    - Borden, Ladner, Gervais LLP
    - Sage Simply Accounting
    - CBC/Radio-Canada
    

About BDC

BDC is Canada's business development bank. From more than 100 business centres across the country, BDC promotes entrepreneurship by providing highly tailored financing, venture capital and consulting services to entrepreneurs. www.bdc.ca

(R)Small Business Week is a registered trademark of BDC.

For further information: Geoffrey King, Director, Public Relations, [phone], [email protected]