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October 17, 2018 Cannabis became legal across Canada. As a business have you thought about the effects it may have? Your employees as well as customers must be aware of how this regulation is going to affect your place of business. Not only are you going to need to look at a change in policy and procedure, you will need to add to it.

 

There are set laws regarding the legalization but you as a business can also set up your own parameters around the consumption of cannabis. Whether you are supportive of this change or not, this discussion and decisions need to be made. Training may need to be required in the workplace to ensure everyone is up to speed on the ins and outs of the legalization but also what your expectations are.

 

When it comes to gatherings of employees outside of work, are you as a company going to allow the consumption of cannabis? These are questions we need to ask ourselves but must make sure we are not including our own biases.  For example, medical marijuana that has been prescribed must be considered within your policies. If the safety is being upheld your business may not discriminate against such use as it may go against the human rights act.

 

There is so much information regarding the legalization and expectations but also so many unknowns. As a business stay on top of the changes that will continue to occur. Consult with business planners as well if you need help in changing of your policies and procedures. If you stay on top of these changes your business, employees and customers will thank you.

For more information on the legalization there is a link down below.

 

Employer guide to cannabis use

https://reliance.ca/docs/default-source/webinar-materials/employer-guide-to-cannabis-legalization—addressing-marijuana-in-the-workplace.pdf?sfvrsn=e35af6c3_8

 

Government of Canada

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/laws-regulations.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc_en&utm_content=driving_2&utm_campaign=cannabis-18

 

For help in going over/changing your policies and procedures please contact BitLedger at

 

780-421-1356

 

www.bitledger.ca
Special thanks to Sherry Shephard for her research and information.

Last week we looked at a marketing strategy known as blogging. This helps create customer followers through social media and lets potential customers see your knowledge. It is a great way to engage in your community offering insightful information that pertains to your business. Now we are going to break it down and see what information we should include to engage our readers.

 

• Topic that comes back to your business. It is good to write blogs that have some information coming back to what you do as a business.

 

• Catchy title: The title of your blog often the last part that you write. This is what is going to draw in your readers. You want them to have an idea on what the piece is about but also not give to much. This creates the need to read more.
• The structure of your blog is very important. Staring at a long paragraph with no breaks creates a visual that is daunting and boring.
• Keeping the length of your blog shorter is going to encourage readers. Many don’t have the time to sit and read a story. Having it short and sweet will encourage more readers.
• Adding visuals to your blog will capture the attention of readers. We are more likely to read something that has an interesting photo attached with it. It also can give your reader an idea of what you are writing about.
• Ensure you have someone editing your blog when finished for errors. A new set of eyes can help weed out the grammar and punctuation errors and increase the flow of a blog.

 

If you decide that writing blogs for your business is the next marketing step, these points may help get you started. If writing isn’t for you but you want to start on this new endeavor there are many bloggers and marketers that specialize in this area. It is okay to ask for help.  

 

There are so many different ways to market your business. From word of mouth to having different social media platforms. But have you ever considered having a blog? Creating blogs that go along with your business idea can help boost your engagement with the public. Marketing has progressed greatly in the online world. Most of our information comes from social media so it makes sense to have an online presence through blogging. Not only does it give your business a voice but it gives you teaching opportunities.

 

Creating blogs for your business gives you a chance to promote your knowledge. Looking through the eyes of a potential client, seeing the knowledge a business has can give them peace of mind.When someone is needing a service, they want to make sure who they hire or where they purchase from has an expertise. It also gives you the opportunity to be creative in finding different pieces to touch on that coincides with your business. It doesn’t matter how often you post a blog whether it is daily, weekly or monthly as long as there is a pattern. As people begin to follow your blogs and what you have to say, there will be an expectation. Having a set schedule on when you post will encourage others to keep an eye on your business.

 

Having an engaging business on social media aids in the promotion of your business. Blogging is a great way to gain and keep a momentum going. Whether you decide as the owner to do the blogging, or hire someone, it can be a great benefit to showcase what your business really is all about.  Join us next week as we take a look at what makes a good blog.

 

Who, what, when, where, why, how? We have heard these questions since the beginning of elementary school. These questions help give the right description in whatever we are discussing or creating. These are some great questions to ask yourself throughout your journey of running a small business. They can bring us back to where it all began and help us to remember why we started.

 

On occasion we can find ourselves stuck in our business. Unsure of adding something new or making changes and sometimes just tired. Using inspiration can help recreate an excitement and drive. We all need a push here and there whether it be from others or yourself. Inspiration is what moves us forward and gives us the motivation to keep going.

 

1. Who inspired you? Maybe it was a friend or teacher or even someone in a book. Thinking back to that person can give you a reminder of why you are doing what you are doing.
2. What inspired you? Was there a certain event that caused you to start on this business path?
3. When did the inspiration first come? Were you a child when you had this business idea or an adult?
4. Where were you when it took place?
5. Why did this inspiration occur? What made it so important?
6. How did it come about? What events led up to it?

 

These questions are going to create your story on your business. It will help drive you forward in remembering, especially during rough times, why you began in the first place. We all need a boost on occasion and sometimes thinking up what kick started it all can relight that flame and keep the success going.

Here we are October 1st 2018 and we have now had to implement the minimum wage increase making our province the highest in the country. This is huge news and many of us may not be prepared. Now that the day is here what have you decided to do in the interest of your company? As a small business have you had to make changes? We would love to hear the impact on this province wide increase.

 

According to Calgary Business leaders the effects may be damaging as there will be job loss and hours cut. As a business how are you going to protect yourself in a way that is also protecting your customers and employees. There are many questions to be asked with such a drastic increase and the effects can be scary for many. It is important to keep focus on what is in the best interest of the company. As we adapt and change to this new regulation we are going to need to support one another more than we have ever before.