Canada’s Engine of Job Growth
Small and medium-sized businesses are the cornerstone of the Canadian economy. They account for 99.7% of all Canadian companies and employ more than 90% of private sector workers. At the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), we believe this contribution deserves to be celebrated. We also believe entrepreneurs need support in building successful, innovative businesses. BDC Small Business Week™ activities provide an opportunity to celebrate, develop new skills, make new contacts and plan for new opportunities.
About BDC Small Business Week™
For 37 years, the Business Development Bank of Canada has organized BDC Small Business Week™ in recognition of the contributions and achievements of Canada’s entrepreneurs. Events held during the week bring entrepreneurs together at conferences, luncheons and trade fairs across the country where they have the opportunity to learn, network and enjoy themselves in the company of their peers.
BDC Small Business Week™ 2016 takes place October 16–22 under the theme, “MEASURE UP! SHAPE YOUR FUTURE.”
Is your company as efficient as it can be? Do you know how your business compares with the best in your industry? Answering these questions could give you an edge on the competition.
As part of BDC Small Business Week™ 2016, we are inviting Canadian entrepreneurs to measure up and discover their true potential. Benchmarking your performance against other companies in your industry is the first step in your productivity journey. This is why, on October 17, we are launching Canada’s first ever business productivity benchmarking tool. This free online tool will allow you to compare your productivity levels to those of other companies in your sector and help you discover how you can improve your performance.
History of BDC Small Business Week™
BDC Small Business Week™ is a Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) trademark whose origins date back to 1979 when BDC business centres in British Columbia’s Lower Fraser Valley pooled their resources to organize a week of activities for entrepreneurs. This first event, and the one that followed in 1980, were so successful that BDC officially launched BDC Small Business Week™ across Canada in 1981. The initiative was quickly adopted by Canada’s business community. In 2015, close to 300 activities across Canada attracted around 10,000 business people to BDC Small Business Week™. This BDC flagship event celebrates entrepreneurship at the local, provincial and national levels.