BDC Launches New Online Business Advice Centre

MONTREAL, July 13 /CNW Telbec/ - Canadian business owners now have a one-stop shop to help them tackle the challenges of entrepreneurship. The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) invites entrepreneurs to explore the new online BDC Advice Centre, a hub for fresh ideas and knowledgeable advice.

Available for consultation at www.bdc.ca, the Advice Centre provides free online business tools and a wealth of information to benefit both start-ups and well-established companies. Over 150 articles and 200 specific questions and answers address aspects relevant to the six main stages in a company's life-cycle: Start or buy a business, Sell your business, Manage your assets, Manage the bottom line, Expand your sales and Self-management.

Every month, the "Ask a professional" section allows entrepreneurs to submit online questions to BDC's financing and consulting experts. The Advice Centre also provides a set of six free online business tools designed to help entrepreneurs manage their business:

    
    -   Business plan template - Prepare a professional business plan that
        gives you a detailed road map for your company and increases your
        chances of obtaining financing.

    -   Entrepreneurial self-assessment test - Find out if you have the
        aptitude, motivation and drive to run your own business.

    -   Business continuity - Develop a plan to protect you company,
        employees and customers in the case of unexpected disasters or
        emergency situations.

    -   Transition guide - Learn everything you need to know to successfully
        take your business through a transfer or sale.

    -   Benchmarking tools - Identify where your company can improve by
        comparing yourself with the best performers in your industry on key
        business indicators.

    -   Ratio calculators - Evaluate the performance of your business and
        identify potential problems.
    

BDC encourages entrepreneurs and professionals who support the development of small and medium businesses to test and use these solutions in their everyday practices.

About BDC

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

For further information: Johanne Bissonnette, Media Relations Manager, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), 514-283-7929, [email protected]; www.bdc.ca