Supporting businesses during Covid-19

To say that small business owners and entrepreneurs faced challenges in 2020 is just a bit of an understatement.

The Office of Engagement and Navigate Entrepreneurship Centre recognized the needs of struggling enterprises early on and responded with a variety of programs that were well received by the business community.

"We all know these have been very difficult times for small businesses, and particularly challenging for new start-ups," said Ken Carter, director, Research and Engagement, Grenfell Campus. "Our Office of Engagement, as well as Navigate, a partnership between College of the North Atlantic and Grenfell Campus, have been critical supports to entrepreneurs and new business start-ups in the region."

Below you’ll read about some of the programming undertaken by Engagement and Navigate.

Navigate: Making connections

"We really pushed to develop meaningful content that would resonate with struggling business owners and developers," said Allison Rowe, manager of Navigate, adding that the "support local" campaign was an underlying current throughout the year.

Once it became apparent that virtual was the "new normal" Navigate quickly pivoted to provide places where entrepreneurs felt heard and supported (The last event held prior to "lockdown" was a robust entrepreneurial event that featured keynote speaker Dr. Leo-Paul Dana, as noted by Liberal MHA Scott Reid).

For instance, the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Series helped participants learn about the importance of entrepreneur-to-entrepreneur collaboration to build a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. One of the sessions involved entrepreneurs pitching ideas to their peers, an exercise that helped hone their business purposes while learning from each other. Other topics included risk management, tips for staying connected virtually, coping with digital fatigue and returning to work during a pandemic.

The Navigating Uncharted Waters Workshop Series included sessions on building resilience, customer service, preparing for the "return to normal," finances and starting a business during the pandemic.

"It was amazing to see the entrepreneur community come together to support and learn from each other," said Allison Rowe. "One of our most counted upon partners has been Carol Spicer and her company, Spicer Facilitation and Learning. She has been an endless resource both as an advisor and as an entrepreneur."

To learn more, visit Navigate's YouTube channel.

Engagement: Helping rural entrepreneurs

Last year Grenfell researchers partnered with communities on the Great Northern Peninsula to find ways to help rural entrepreneurs who have been affected by the pandemic. Through a Mitacs-funded research project, in partnership with CBDC Nortip, they engaged small- and medium-sized businesses in discussions and practical workshops.

The first workshop was a hybrid session – about 20 people in-person and online – held in five locations on the Northern Peninsula: St Anthony, Plum Point, Roddickton-Bide Arm, Hawkes Bay and Cow Head. The workshop, titled "Innovative Networking for Business," aimed to demonstrate to participants about the need to innovate and network in order to survive economic crises.

The second session, which focused on taking business online, was held – appropriately – online. About 30 participants learned about online platforms and the considerations small- and medium-sized businesses need to reflect on before going online. The workshop also provided insight into various online tools to drive traffic to the business site.

"In addition to the workshops, a research element involving an online survey gathered feedback; CBDC Nortip has been instrumental in bringing us closer to rural entrepreneurs." said Dr. Mery Perez, Coordinator of Grenfell's Center for Research and Innovation. "We're hoping respondents will let us know how the pandemic has affected their enterprises, as well as what resources would be useful to them going forward."

A report from the survey will be available in March 2021, with the aim of shaping the current resource system in place, opening other avenues of resources in demand on the Great Northern Peninsula.