Toby Davis, a business analyst with CBDC NOBL in Truro, is hoping some fresh eyes will bring some fresh ideas to the business community. She joined the organization in February. CBDC NOBL has three 10-week courses starting mid-September for small business owners.
The CBDC NOBL is hosting the 10-week courses in business technology, advanced business management skills, and Sage 50 (formerly Simply Accounting).
"Because we do delivery of labour and advanced education programs, we try to find out what businesses are requesting and gather information on what skill sets are missing or they're looking for," said Toby Davis, a business analyst that joined CBDC NOBL in February. "Aside from the fact that (small businesses) have asked us for these programs, we are here to help them succeed and to help continue adding tools to their toolboxes."
The free programs begin in the middle of this month and each course runs for 40 hours in total.
Business technology discusses using technology to grow and support one's business, and is recommended for business owners, managers and employees with a basic familiarity with computers with a want to learn more or improve their current base of knowledge.
When it comes to advanced business management skills, it's for those who have completed a foundational workplace education program. It builds on topics covered in the foundational programs and focuses on knowledge and skill at an intermediate level.
Sage 50 helps business owners set up and maintain business finances, teaching day-to-day maintenance of bookkeeping, as well as ways to be more efficient.
"For me, I have never used Sage, but it seems to be the biggest accounting software of most businesses, and the demand for the course has always been very significant," said Davis.
Having only moved to the area two years ago next month, Davis is completing her Executive MBA while working. She said it will add tools to her kit that will help her with how she looks at Colchester County.
"I'm hoping to have new insight with some fresh eyes," she said. "When you live in your community for a while, you don't always see everything. Sometimes you miss the pieces needed. I'm hoping to slowly identify what is missing."
She said one way to do that is to keep the lines of communication open.
"If there are business owners that have some pain points, another business probably has the same pain point," she said, adding business owners are more than welcome to email her. Pain points are areas that could be lacking in a business. For example, if someone is really good at customer service and human resources, but not at accounting.
"Marketing is a really big one, and so are financial statements - how to read them, and income taxes and sales training," she added.
For more information on the fall programs, including registration, or to even join the email list, email [email protected], or [email protected].
Twitter: @TDNRaissa
