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YEAR IN REVIEW 2012-2013

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Looking Back, Moving Forward

Section I

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Our 20th anniversary as Atlantic Canada’s top resource for women entrepreneurs and business professionals presented an opportunity for celebration, and a retrospective look back at the stories behind the approximate 11,000 clients we have assisted over the years.

It was a time to reflect on two decades of leadership, and the hundreds of expert business advisories, training programs and networking events that helped shape our identity, and make us the first stop for woman entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada.

Many of those women have gone on to tremendous success through ventures that range from couture fashion design to engineering. With the help of Centre driven supplier diversity programs and trade missions, some of those successes unfolded beyond our Canadian borders.

In calculating the number of clients that have passed through our doors since 1992, we were astounded by the number of people the Centre has been able to service with the limited staff resources of a non-profit organization. But it was only when we weighed this against data supplied by Industry Canada, Statistics Canada, and Centre commissioned research by the Atlantic Canada

Women in Export Working Group (ACWIE) that we could take a step back and fully grasp the magnitude.

Industry Canada reports that from 2010 to 2011, the number of women entrepreneurs in Canada increased; here in the Atlantic region, Statistics Canada estimates that 26 per cent of small businesses are majority or half-owned by women. It was the ACWIE report, however, that truly put our work into context: in 1976 there were 8,800 self-employed women in Nova Scotia; in August 2012 there were 18, 900.

With thousands of women seeking our services in the interim, we know we’ve helped drive that number and, in doing so, have played a key role in changing the economic landscape of our province.

According to a 2012 report from the Taskforce for Women’s Business Growth at the University of Ottawa, female entrepreneurs represent “an untapped source of economic opportunity.”

The report called for better education, training and policy to support female entrepreneurs, and states that a 20 per cent increase in total revenues among majority female-owned enterprises will contribute an additional $2-billion per annum to the Canadian economy.

The potential is staggering, and that’s the reason we’re here.

We will also remember 2012-2013 as a year filled with change in the form of new team members and fresh ideas. This resulted in new training opportunities, a plan for the design of a new membership structure, a new sponsorship strategy, new events, and a new communications strategy.

We’ve turned up our efforts to attract more aspiring entrepreneurs, members, clients, students and supporters. We’ve also increased our focus on media relations, working even harder to tell some of the business success stories that have unfolded over the past 20 years.

Our milestone anniversary set the stage for an exciting year, and the sense that the momentum will only continue throughout 2013-2014.

Tanya Priske,Executive Director

You could say it was a big year for the Centre.

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Defining the Mission

Section II

Renewals

New members

Total Members

Twitter Followers

Facebook Fans

BizBeat distribution

102

196

1,710962

2,406

69

*as of March 31, 2013

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From that point on, the mission was clear: put together a team of supportive business development and training experts to help women achieve their entrepreneurial goals. Those goals have always run the gamut, from the ‘help-me-launch-this-great-idea’ stage to efficient expansion and international trade. And while no organization can be all things to all people, the Centre has always been committed to offering programs that are valuable to women at every phase of the journey, including those who are not necessarily interested in entrepreneurship, but in polishing their business leadership and networking skills.

Our partnership with ACOA and Mount Saint Vincent University has allowed us to work with students, professors and researchers to ensure we have the resources we need to support our mission; our need to remain on the leading edge of business trends and skills training, and our capacity to sustain continued growth.

It would be fair to say that if 2012-2013 could be summarized in just one word, growth would be it. At the commencement of our 20th anniversary year, the team set out to create four

signature events that would be big enough to adequately commemorate this milestone; to revitalize the Centre brand, to strengthen our communications through the BizBeat newsletter and our social media networks; to build our membership and clientele, and to increase retention.

Based on the numbers alone: mission accomplished, and with the integration of a predominantly new staff this year, we’re just getting started.

Developing and executing a strategy aimed specifically at boosting our membership and community presence has resulted in a significant growth in the uptake of core services and events (more on this in Section IV: Our Impact).

In fact, a number of opportunities sold out quickly, resulting in demand for secondary dates, vows to purchase tickets more quickly next time, and the creation of waiting lists for workshops like Blueprint for Success and An Apple for Business iPhone training.

There is no question that it is the members and clients who have defined our mission these past 20 years based on demand and the evolution of business technology. Subsequently, the only true measurement of success comes from user feedback.

Regular program surveys and direct responses help us to determine this. But perhaps our most valuable gauge comes from the incredible things our entrepreneurs have achieved with the assistance of the Centre – stories we tell through our monthly newsletter, BizBeat, as a way of showcasing our services and promoting the members who have used them to pursue their dreams and create successful outcomes.

People subscribed to BizBeat include entre-preneurs, finance professionals, journalists, government agency representatives and many, many more. We believe there is great value in sharing the strategies and experiences of our women business owners, and here are a few:

The Centre opened its doors back in 1992 based on an expressed need for women-focused business services identified by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the faculty of business at Mount Saint Vincent University. It would become, and remains, Canada’s only university business development centre exclusively for women.

BizBeat Year in Review

“My strength is in producing projects and working with clients to build narratives and tell their stories. We are not engineers or environmental scientists, but we can support positive initiatives. We believe people deserve to be honoured with beautiful, meaningful creative, and we want to tell stories that are good.” Kristy O’Leary, Napkin Works - Feb. 2013

“I believe that I if had started The Phone Lady in Toronto, it wouldn’t have worked. What has really allowed it to grow is the business community of Nova Scotia. In the big cities, you feel a larger sense of competition, and here you don’t have that.” Mary Jane Copps, The Phone Lady - April 2013

“I see myself expanding into the Maritimes. We are quite busy, but I am happy continuing on this road of continued growth.” Patty Howard, Kitchen Door Catering - July 2012 “I haven’t met a business yet that couldn’t benefit from some social media. If a person is struggling to find the time to use social media effectively for their business, then they can outsource that to me and I can save them time, because I have an economy of scale. I’m living on social media 24/7 so that my clients don’t have to.” Anita Hovey, Twirp Communications - Jan. 2013

“You can’t operate with your head in the sand and hope the business comes to you. We are the best cleaning service in HRM - I am sure of that. We don’t cut corners.” Taunya Clark, Impeccable Cleaning - Sept. 2012

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“I gauge my success with customer satisfaction, saving people money, and providing clarity to my customers around their business so they can make decisions on the right information. When I can help take a company from losing money to profitability, that’s when I feel I’m doing my job well.” Kelly Johnstone, KLM Financial - Oct. 2012

“I am building something that will have a significant impact on our local economy by helping the smaller organizations tap into the larger ones. That kind of work is what drives me in my business.”

Laurie Dolhan, Contract Me - Nov. 2012

“I haven’t encountered any hurdles that have stemmed from being a woman entrepreneur. Just the opposite: the business community has been extremely supportive of Wired Flare, and I wouldn’t trade being a woman in business for anything.” Frances Leary, Wired Flare - Dec 2012

“My goal is to show off Halifax. I focus on the little details – I talk to the restaurant owners and find out what the story is behind their food and their restaurant. Because that’s what people really remember, the details and the stories.”

Emily Forrest, Local Tasting Tours - March 2013

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What will allow our clients to bring their business ideas to life, to leverage an existing business and reach new clients, or to connect with people who can provide guidance and inspiration?Programming

at a Glance

Section III

These are the questions our business development officers ask when they sit down to create the Centre’s annual program strategy. A general plan is used to plot out key training sessions and dates, with plenty of space left to add workshops or guest facilitators and speakers based on demand and opportunity. For instance, if several business advisories reveal a need for training on a specific subject area or method of delivery, our business development officers will accommodate this in-house, or contract a presenter with specialized expertise.

The program strategy is built around research, the content of client surveys that are distributed after every workshop and event, in-person user response, and social media feedback.

In 2012-2013, we provided training, support, and presentations to 2,180 women, with 755 of those being regular CWB service users or members. From these, three key areas emerged as focal points, and will continue to drive our programming in 2013-2014: make learning more accessible, create more opportunities for networking and mentorship, and help facilitate business growth – locally, and in the form of international trade and export opportunities.

Our response included a partnership with eLearningU for an online training series offered from January to March. While webinars havelong been a part of the Centre’s service structure, initially for the benefit of women outside of the HRM who could not physically attend our sessions, this was the first comprehensive training program offered exclusively online. Topics ranged from email and data management to online marketing, and gave participants practical advice in real-time, with built in opportunities to ask questions. A total of 17 people took part in the series, which was offered every Thursday over the lunch hour.

We then took accessibility one step further by joining forces with SkillsonlineNS to offer our members a complimentary selection of webinars hand-picked by our business development team to assist aspiring and established entrepreneurs.

In January, we unveiled the Advanced Mentoring and Management Program (AMMP). This six-month pan-Atlantic workshop garnered significant attention due to its structure and accessibility. Offered in

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“National statistics show us that mentoring is the number one most effective program when it comes to training... when surveyed, men and women who were mentored were much more satisfied with their organizations than those who were not.”

Dr. Barbara Orser, MSVU Nancy’s Chair keynote, team workshop lead on Gender Differences in Mentoring, Feb. 6, 2013

“The best thing about working at the CWB is hearing about all the great ideas that women in Nova Scotia have for businesses, and being able to help them realize their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs through training and advisories.” Nora Perry, Business Development Officer; Adult educator. Business planning expert. Perpetual learner.

“I really enjoy helping business owners make connections to resources, programs and like-minded women entrepreneurs focused on growing their businesses. Over the past 10 years, I have learned so much from clients, members, and CWB Staff – I am grateful to everyone.” Gordia Macdonald, Senior Business Development Officer; Veteran trainer. Supplier Diversity expert. Entrepreneur.

Halifax, Saint John NB, and St. John’s NL, it was built to provide practical insight into the many challenges that accompany business growth by pairing entrepreneurs with mentors – peers who’ve been there and done that.

AMMP is comprised of six peer-to-peer mentoring sessions, 12-hours of facilitated, confidential one-to-one mentoring, and training on topics like human capital, productivity, innovation and market expansion, all tailored to accommodate the needs of each group. Tools also include online networks (such as dedicated Facebook pages) for participants to connect.

Almost immediately, the numbers told the story; initially, the maximum capacity was set at 10 registered woman business owners who had been in business for at least three years, and brought in a revenue of $250,000 to $1 million. Due to demand however, Nova Scotia accepted 11 enthusiastic applicants and there is a list of women who may be interested in joining us at a later date, should AMMP be reoffered in 2013. In New Brunswick, AMMP had five participants, and Newfoundland had six.

That ongoing collaboration led the Centre to the 4th annual WeConnect Canada Conference in Toronto on Nov. 12 and 13 aptly themed, ‘Opening Doors,’ and the 13th annual Women’s Business Enterprise Council Conference (WBENC) and business fair in Orlando Florida last June. The largest conference of its kind in North America, our presence helped introduce six WeConnect certified women business owners to more than 3,000 women entrepreneurs, government agencies and Fortune 500 enterprises.

The Centre is a founding member of the national Women’s Enterprise Organization of Canada (WEOC), established in 2012. WEOC is comprised of Canadian women business centres who meet on a bi-annual basis to engage national strategies for business development and research.

Other collaborations that facilitated our growth focus included Canadian Women in Technology (CanWIT) and the joint effort to bring Springboard’s The Dolphin Tank to MSVU for its Canadian debut on Jan. 31. Rarely is there an opportunity to start or grow a business without a pitch proposal; that moment where a business owner must get in front of a potential investor or client and relay the benefits of their product or service in mere minutes. It was a workshop built around preparing women business owners for such a moment with a two-minute pitch, a Springboard facilitator, an interactive audience, and a panel of local business experts offering constructive feedback.

In terms of networking, we ramped up online promotion of Toastmasters’ Successfully Speaking Women program which we host at The Meadows on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, and our Women, Business and Breakfast series. At Toastmasters’ first meeting of 2013 held on Jan. 8, the conference room at the Meadows was so full of existing members and new faces that there was discussion around the obvious need for a larger venue. Attendance remained healthy throughout the winter. As for breakfast, we learned that combining the most important meal of the day with networking and facilitated discussion is a recipe for success. Also held at the Meadows, several of the breakfasts were filled to capacity (15), and were followed by positive feedback from participants who found the casual but structured conversation with business development officers and peers to be very beneficial.

Growth via export, another focal point of programming, was also highlighted through the Centre’s supplier diversity programming on a pan-Atlantic basis. As WEConnect Canada’s regional partner, we offer Supplier Diversity certification training, in-person and online. This allowed about 35 women business owners to gain a better understanding of the certification process carried out by the Centre, production capacity requirements, and how to go about landing contracts with international retailers, something one of our clients, Galloping Cows Fine Foods of Port Hood, famously achieved this year after signing a contract with Walmart.

“The great thing about my job at the CWB is working with all the

amazing women business owners, they have so much potential, so

much drive and unique views on the holistic, collaborative, strategic and

operational aspects of sustaining and growing a business.”

Laurie Sinclair, Business Development Officer;

Business professor. Accountant. Economics Specialist.

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The workshop and luncheon garnered significant media attention, and seven entrepreneurs came out to participate before a large crowd at Rosaria Student Centre. Of the seven pitches, three were heavily focused on the advancement of technology-based products or services, and the Centre will continue working with CanWIT, and MSVU’s Industry Liaison Office (ILO) to ensure our programming, advisories and diagnostics are addressing their distinct needs.

These partnerships allow us to remain current on technology transfer activities and research, intellectual property protection, and help us to identify potential partners for our clients. This year, our relationship with the ILO brought us to the 2013 Research Expo at Saint Mary’s University. Held on March 21, our business development team invited a group of tech industry clients to attend for an opportunity to discuss their ideas with academic researchers, and view displays on topics like green chemistry and the development of nanotechnology.

We also worked closely with the ILO in August, on project that matched their researchers with entrepreneurs in the food service and production industry in order to identify opportunities for product development studies.

Designing programs that resonate and reach their intended audiences requires an ensemble effort; this year, it was brought forth by a team made up of both long-time Centre staff and several new faces.

Executive Director Tanya Priske and Senior Business Development Officer Gordia Macdonald both have extensive histories with the Centre; new additions included Business Development Officers Laurie Sinclair and Nora Perry; Communications Manager Janna MacGregor, and Office Manager Chantal Warford. The Centre engages talented co-op students chosen from the Public Relations Department at MSVU to help develop their skills.

“In sharing the business success stories of our members and clients,

I learn something new every day; to be a part of an organization

that helped create those stories is extraordinary.“

Janna MacGregor, Communications Manager; CWB storyteller. Event planner. News junkie.

“There is never a dull moment within the walls of the Centre. It’s an inspiring atmosphere: helping and advancing women business

owners, coordinating events – we are a team of women committed

to what we do.”

Chantal Warford, Office Manager; First point of contact. Master organizer.

Keeps things running smoothly.

Each team member brings varied education and experience to the Centre, along with unique perspectives on programming, operations and communications. But one thing everyone shares is a passion for entrepreneurship, and the limitless possibility that lies in collaboration.

“It’s very gratifying to be able to help Atlantic Canadian women

fulfill their dream of owning or growing a business. As Harriet

Tubman said, ‘Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always

remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and

the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.’”

Tanya Priske, Executive Director;

Manager. Economic development pro. Business owner.

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April 2012 • Group Buying: Part of Your Marketing Mix? • Exploring Your Entrepreneurial Potential • WBENC Conference & Business Fair

Jan. 2013-March 2013 • eLearningU Online Training Series, Marketing, Social Media, Website Development

Jan. 2013 • Intro to Supplier Diversity • Capability Statements (English/French)

Ongoing • CWB Skills-to-Go

May 2012 • Blueprint for Success series

Aug. 2012 • Need More Customers? (I & II)

Sept 2012 • How to Become a Supplier for TD Canada Trust• Follow the Money (Finance Strategy)

Oct. 2012• Supplier Diversity for WEConnect• Social Media Strategy• Blackberry for Business• iphone/ipad for Business

Nov 2012• Are you Ready to do Business in India?• Financial Tools for Growth

Jan. 2013• Advanced Mentoring & Management Program (AMMP)• Branding Your Business – Women Presidents Organization• Blueprint for Success series

Feb 2013• Gender Differences in Mentoring – Nancy’s Chair, Dr. Barbara Orser • Better Customer Service - Hantsport

March 2013 • Finance Management PRO

April 2013 • The Apple for Business Workshop x So... Why do I Need a Lawyer? • Blueprint for Success series

Ongoing • Networking Breakfasts • Successfully Speaking Women’s Toastmaster Club

June 2012 • Signature Event with Carol Chapman, C2 Communications• WBENC Conference & Business Fair, Orlando

Aug 2012• Connecting Researchers to Centre Clients - luncheon

Sept. 2012• Signature Event with Corrine McIsaac, Health Outcomes Worldwide

Oct. 2012• Developing Communications Strategy – MSVU PR Students and 19 CWB Members• Research ReMix• Student Leadership Conference (Youth)• Oil & Gas Conference

Nov. 2012• 20th Anniversary Gala• WEConnect Canada National Conference, Toronto

Dec. 2012• Holiday Cheer Open House

Jan. 2013• The Dolphin Tank

Feb. 2013• Social Entrepreneur for a Day (Youth)

March 2013 • ILO/CWB Research Day• International Women’s Day Luncheon

Webinars

2012-2013 Program

Workshops Events

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Q1start-up start-up start-up start-up

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ImpactSection IV

Business Advisories as of March 31, 2013

Total Business Advisories: 379

growth growth growth growth

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and managing directors of privately held, multi-million dollar companies. Since that time, a second Atlantic Canada chapter has been established.

“The advisory is designed to help women and students understand the steps they need to take in starting a business on the right foot, or growing an existing one wisely. They come to us to share their business idea and get some feedback to see if they are on the right track and what those next steps should be.” Nora Perry

Business advisories and diagnostics make up a huge part of day-to-day operations at the Centre, and with good reason; they are usually the jumping off point for aspiring entrepreneurs who may have a great idea, but aren’t sure if it would translate to a viable business venture, or those considering expansion but are uncertain as to what their next steps should be.

Anyone can book an appointment with one of our business development officers – both members and those who have no affiliation with the Centre. A single advisory would be an anomaly; the construction of a business start-up or growth strategy usually evolves over a series of meetings that often begins with casual conversation and coffee here at the Centre. Typically, the entrepreneur lays out a preliminary idea for a new business or an expansion, and the business development officer helps them fill in any gaps on the road to formulating a carefully crafted business plan and pitch. The goal is simple: build a sustainable business model, and an execution strategy that can withstand the scrutiny of lenders or prospective investors.

“The CWB offers a one-of-a-kind growth opportunity for women entrepreneurs across Atlantic Canada. It’s Canada’s only university-based business development centre designed specifically for women, and it is an invaluable resource for MSVU students, faculty, and staff alike. The Centre has assisted a multitude of women entrepreneurs in growing their businesses, and continues to propel women toward success.” Dr. Ramona Lumpkin, President of Mount Saint Vincent University, Winter 2013

Within that strategy there is often a rec-ommendation that will aid in the execution process: for specific skills training, a human resource plan that takes into account the proposed increase in production, or a nudge to look for new markets through export by accessing global supply chains.

In dozens of cases this year alone, an initial advisory has been the precursor to the purchase of a CWB membership, a business loan application, and the commencement of skills training that opened new employment and leadership opportunities.

We know that our core services, (advisories, training programs and events) combined with applied research, have accelerated the professional growth of clients and members, and allowed us to help change the lives of hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs these past 20 years.

But the Centre has also been influential on other fronts. In May of 2011, the Centre hosted the milestone launch of the Atlantic Canadian chapter of the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO). This is a non-profit organization for women presidents, CEOs

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“As a member of the CWB for many years, I have benefitted by receiving the invaluable support of more established business owners, and the fulfillment brought by providing mentorship to emerging business owners. There is a strong sense of community, and many opportunities for collaboration have blossomed from my relationships formed through the CWB.”

Lisa Drader-Murphy, Owner of Turbine, Winter 2013

“It almost feels like you have a partner inbusiness.”Sheena Butler, founder and CEO of Concepts Career College, Winter 2013

“The CWB has been integral in the profitable growth of my business. It has been everything for me – from access to vital information from seasoned professionals, to staying sane by talking with other women entrepreneurs about the challenges of balancing work and family. Whether I have challenges or celebrations, the CWB is there for me.” Faith Drinnan, founder of The Oyster Group, Winter 2013

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“The programs that the Centre offers open your mind to things you hadn’t maybe thought about: ways to improve your business or to reach your goals faster and easier. Taking part in programs that the CWB offers is really invaluable in order to make yourself aware of different ways of doing and approaching business.” Kelly Galloway, President of Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd., Winter 2013

Through global peer-learning groups, the WPO promotes business growth, enhances competitiveness, and supports economic security through 101 chapters in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Peru and South Africa. More than that, its members collectively generate an aggregate of $17 billion in revenues and employ 113,500 people.

This year, the WPO appointed our Business Development Officer Laurie Sinclair as Chair of its Atlantic Chapter, providing the Centre with yet another opportunity to connect with women business professionals and help them advance in all industries.

Simply stated, our impact is not limited to entrepreneurship, even though it remains our primary focus.

“The Centre brings people together from a number of businesses who are at the same maturation level, and mentor us with women who are working on the next level. We’re just so excited to be able to embrace that support. I consider the CWB a gift, and I also consider the Business Development team to be one of the best parts of this gift! I am very lucky to be a part of this group.” Sarah Arnold, founder of the Halifax Learning Centre, Winter 2013

We take many of the same principals involved in business ownership and use them to empower women working in various professional capacities.

This is ‘intrapreneurship,’ and it gives women the tools they need to act entrepreneurial within their organization. That can mean developing the confidence to speak up and share new ideas in the boardroom, or an ability to create new products, systems and services within the workplace.

We have high-level executives in government and the private sector signing up for webinars on topics like online marketing, business law and financial management; attending workshops on how to use Apple mobile devices more efficiently; joining Toastmasters to become better speakers, and coming to networking events that have helped create new opportunities for employment and professional growth.

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“Thank you for facilitating this event. Corrine’s presentation was inspiring, engaging, and entertaining.” From participant survey, Fall Kick-off, September 2012

“The venue was excellent. The speaker was outstanding. The food was incredible.” From guest survey, June Event 2012

“Most inspiring talk I’ve been to in ages. Was particularly impressed that someone so young had so much wisdom to share.” via Facebook, Dianna Rievaj, IWD March 2013

EventsSection V

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“For some of you here tonight, the Centre has been with you along your journey; we have watched your business from the early start-up, we have shared in your triumphs, have supported you when you were disappointed but we will NEVER let you forget about your goals.” Tanya Priske, Centre for Women in Business 20th Anniversary Gala, Nov. 5, 2012

The Centre traditionally hosts four large signature events each year, with many smaller events interspersed between. Our program schedule basically coincides with that of the Mount in that our 12-month calendar folds in spring. It officially concludes with The June Event; in 2012, it was held on June 6, at Rosaria Student Centre and featured a moving keynote address by Carol Chapman, President and CEO of C2 Communications in Moncton. It was an opportunity to network and reflect on the successes of the year.

We re-launched on Sept. 12 with our Fall Kick-off, also at Rosaria. This was a time to get all of our members, clients and supporters back together in one room to provide a preview of upcoming programs, workshops, speakers and research initiatives. It included a keynote address by one of our very successful clients, Corrine McIsaac of Health Outcomes Worldwide – a New Waterford, Nova Scotia health management company that assists health care providers in improving patient care and profitability.

Traditionally, a ‘CWB Signature Conference’ follows ‘Kick-off’ in late fall, drawing anywhere from 60 to 200 business professionals and entrepreneurs. This year however, the Centre chose to divert the conference budget to commemorate our 20th anniversary with a gala event bigger than any we have hosted to date.

The sold-out gala was held at MSVU’s Rosaria Student Centre on the evening of Nov. 5; keynote speaker Deirdre McMurdy captivated the audience by sharing her perspectives on entrepreneurship from the vantage point of a business writer and editor with MacLean’s Magazine, a correspondent with CTV’s Business News Network, and her position as one of Canada’s most respected business journalists.

A highlight of the evening was when a commemorative 20th anniversary video was aired. It encapsulated two decades of change, challenge and success at the Centre, and paid a moving tribute to the staff’s role in creating its legacy.

International Women’s Day, held in March, is the focus of our winter signature event. On March 5, 2013, we took the celebration off campus and hosted a downtown luncheon at the World Trade and Convention Centre. Following on the success of the anniversary gala, this marked our second consecutive sell-out of the year, and saw the room packed to capacity for a high-energy address by Jodi Glover, RBC’s 2012 Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award winner and founder of water quality testing solutions firm Real Tech Inc.

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ImpactSection IV

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“As we mark the significance of this day and consider the future of entrepreneurship for women, I would like to say that if you are a woman with a business ambition that has yet to be explored, go for it! Find out all you can about the industry and entrepreneurship in general; take a webinar; connect with a mentor who has been there and can help you prepare.” Gordia Macdonald, Centre for Women in Business International Women’s Day celebration, March 5, 2013

With hundreds of attendees completing feedback surveys on each event (signature and non), we can look back at 2012-2013 with a clear understanding of what must go into our upcoming program strategy, and how future events should be structured in terms of logistics and content.

Twitter and Facebook also allow us to keep our finger on the pulse of our membership and throughout the year, we were overwhelmed by well wishes in commemoration of our anniversary, congratulatory remarks on various accomplishments, and expressions of gratitude over the Centre’s role in shaping their businesses.

Key non-signature events this year included our jam-packed Holiday Cheer Open House on Dec. 12, the Dolphin Tank held on Jan. 31, and MSVU’s Nancy’s Chair Lecture on Feminine Capital with Dr. Barbara Orser on Feb. 7, which was promoted by the Centre and well attended by many CWB clients.

Dr. Orser is a professor in the Management of Growth Enterprises at the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management; she was named one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network in 2010, and is also the founding Chair of the Canadian Taskforce for Women’s Enterprise. Her presence on campus for the Nancy’s Chair Lecture allowed for a staff training event on Feb. 6, which gave us a chance to investigate strategies for building effective mentor relationships among women.

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Media ReachSection VI

Estimated Twitter account reach per week (based on Retweets) 5,001

Average number of Retweets per week 18

Twitter Activity at a Glance

Twitter - total followers

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Headlines at a Glance

Snap Magazine, July 2012:

The June EventDec. 2012:

Centre for Women in Business 20th Anniversary GalaApril 2013:

International Women’s Day

Nova Scotia Business Journal, Dec. 2012:

CWB: 20 Years of Nurturing Entrepreneurs

AVR Radio (97.7 Kentville) Valley News at Noon, Jan. 21, 2013:

Dolphin Tank feature

Valley News at Noon, March 1, 2013:

International Women’s Day feature

All Nova Scotia, Jan. 29, 2013:

Business Women Dive in the Dolphins’ Tank

CBC Radio Information Morning, Jan. 31:

The Dolphin Tank

Bell Aliant’s Atlantic Journal, Feb. 18:

Host Terri Lynn Kearsey Goes to the Centre for Women in Business

Between a careful selection of paid advertising and numerous news stories on our events, workshops, 20th anniversary milestone and overall mission, the Centre for Women in Business held a prominent place in the spotlight throughout 2012-2013.

When we weren’t grabbing headlines, we were all over social media, uploading video promos and event coverage to our YouTube Channel; updating our Facebook page with albums capturing CWB happenings and news, and interacting with members and clients on Twitter and Linkedin. We divided time between fielding questions and feedback via traditional means (email, phone and in person) and on Twitter in particular as our presence grew daily.

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Facebook - new fans

Monthly average 64 FansTotal Fans 1,710Friends of Fans 752,445Total Weekly Reach 909 peopleDiscussion Generated (March 23-April 13)19

Facebook Activity at a Glance

Activity at a Glance Total monthly page views – Nov. 2012 125Total monthly page views – March 2013 192Total followers 648

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Atlantic Business Magazine, March/April 2013: Safe Haven: Centre for Women in Business celebrate 20 years nurturing female entrepreneurs

Next Women Magazine, March 1, 2013:

Bold Canadian Pitchpreneurs Swim in US ‘Dolphin Tank

April/May 2013:

International Women’s Day coverage

Chronicle Herald, March 8, 2013:

International Women’s Day Commemorated with Sold-out Luncheon

Daily Business Buzz, March 8, 2013: NS: Ottawa supports new skills building, mentoring program for women

Pictou Advocate, March 20, 2013:

MacGregor Directs Passion Toward Women in Business

Fine Lifestyles Magazine, Spring 2013:

Spotlight: Centre for Women in Business

Monthly average 64 FansTotal Fans 1,710Friends of Fans 752,445Total Weekly Reach 909 peopleDiscussion Generated (March 23-April 13)19

What’s Next

Section VII

CWB Team, December 2012, (l-r): Nora Perry, Business Development Officer; Janna MacGregor Communications Manager; Chantal Warford, Office Manager; Gordia Macdonald, Senior Business Development Officer; Tanya Priske, Executive Director; MSVU Co-op student/ Communications Assistant Kelsey MacDonald; Laurie Sinclair, Business Development Officer.

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We are committed to doing an even better job of promoting our members and, in doing so, the Centre for Women in Business - past, present and future.

As the Centre’s anniversary year draws to a close, we are looking forward to our signature June Event being held this year on June 13 at Government House, the formal residence of Nova Scotia’s Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable John James Grant, and the Nova Scotia home of our Canadian monarch.

We are also making plans to attend the 16th annual Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Conference (WBENC) and business fair in Minneapolis, Minnesota June 25-27. This will mark our fourth consecutive mission to the WBENC Conference, and will involve pre-event preparation and in-mission support for the WeConnect certified clients who’ll be joining us there as well as those considering certification.

The Centre gets together as a team for a full-day staff meeting once a month, but additional time will be added over the summer to build a programming and events schedule for 2013-2014. At that time, we will incorporate everything we have learned from surveys and all other sources of feedback, research and attendance figures to create a calendar that works for our existing members and clients, and prospective ones.

To reach those women, a fresh communications and media strategy will be created to accompany the new program and events calendar.

Some of the objectives going into those meetings will be increased visibility on campus, the engagement of corporate supporters and funding partners, and a more refined, value-driven membership package that will increase our membership and member retention.

We want clients to become members and stay members. We want aspiring entrepreneurs to start with us; to recognize the value of a Centre membership in growing their business through leading-edge programming, and the expertise of our business development team, and to connect with other women business owners to impart what they’ve learned and, ultimately, the value of a CWB membership.

This is how we will sustain our growth and create the kind of longevity that will allow us to celebrate many more milestone anniversaries. With 11,000 clients behind us, we know there are thousands more who will be able to realize their business potential because of our services.

Research will be another focus in the coming months, as it is essential in ensuring our team is up-to-date on growth statistics, technology trends and training. Part of that involves interaction with non-affiliates through social media channels like Twitter, which will continue to take up a significant portion of our time as we work to gain a more complete picture of what it would take to get non-members to join.

To that end, one thing we have already identified and will be working on in 2013 is the development of a more efficient and user-friendly online directory of CWB members. It will allow members to have more options and increased visibility when it comes to promoting their businesses through our website – a significant enticement for someone who might be contemplating a membership, given our website traffic, newsletter distribution reach and social media following.

What’s Next?

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