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ASET WORKSHOPS

The ASET workshops have proven to be effective tools to provide greater awareness for individuals who seek to become self-employed.

The workshops which are the highlight of the Program are ongoing and have four (4) main components:

1. Starting a Business
2. Market Research
3. The Business Plan
4. Financing a Business

The workshops are delivered in a supportive environment, by experienced, knowledgeable facilitators who utilize a variety of innovative tools to ensure optimum retention. Facilitators are recruited from the greater Toronto Area (GTA) business community and include staff members from the major financial institutions.

On completion of the ASET Program each participant will:

Ø      Have a more realistic view of self-employment

Ø      Be able to more effectively make a decision around pursuing self-employment, further self-employment training, further education and other related services

Ø      Be able to assess their ability to be successful as an entrepreneur

Ø      Have a basic business plan and action plan

On completion of all 4 segments of the workshop, participants are recognized at an official graduation ceremony and awarded certificates.

Workshops are usually held on Tuesdays at the North York Civic Center, between the hours of 5:45pm and 7:45pm.

WORKSHOP TOPICS

A.     STARTING A BUSINESS

        ·        Myths and realities of self-employment
  
        ·        Your readiness to start a business

      ·        How to register your business

      ·        Sole Proprietorship, partnership, Incorporation

      ·        How can the Government help

      ·        Taxes

B.     MARKET RESEARCH

       ·        Basic purpose of doing a market research

·        Source of data – where to find it

·       Defining and Describing your target market

·        Market research methods

·        Analyzing and interpreting data

·        Checking your hypothesis

·        Professionals that can be hired

·        How it fits in with your business plan

·        Future trends

·        Determining your niche

C.     THE BUSINESS PLAN

        ·        Decision-making steps: answering the essential 
               qualifying questions

·        Do you need a business plan?

·        Why should a business plan be written?

·        Myths and realities of the business plan

·        The simple and effective business plan format

·        The exit strategy

·        Locating the necessary resources

D.    FINANCING A SMALL BUSINESS

        ·        General information on small business (statistics)

·        Banks’ focus on this market segment (internal structure, products/services)

·        Process of handling small business loan applications

·        Outline of the application and explanation of what is required and why

·        Review of other lending products suitable for this market including government programs

·        Review of cash management products and services for this market

·        Barriers to accessing traditional sources of financing

·        Other sources of financing (Canadian Youth Business Foundation)