HUNTSVILLE G8 CENTRE - LOOKING FOR TRADES

The Town of Huntsville is collecting informaiton from local businesses in order to maximize the local economic impact of the construction of the proposed G8 Centre. The Town has posted this information on their website. Follow this link to the Town's website.

To see the ad that the Town has placed in the local paper click here. Any questions should be forwarded directly to the Town of Huntsville Economic Development Office.

The Muskoka Small Business Centre has prepared an outline of "how to prepare a business profile" which is requested in the advertisement from the Town. See directions below.



How to make a “Business Profile”

Purpose
The main purpose for making a good business profile is to approach your potential customer with your company’s strength in terms of capacity, quality, and experience. The idea behind it is to convince your potential customer to rely on you by giving him relevant information so he can evaluate your offer. The business profile increases your value compared to your competitors by creating a really good, positive impression.

Content
The content of your business profile should include or contain introduction, company data, structure (sole proprietor, partnership or incorporation and infrastructure. Most importantly you need to clearly and professionally present your products/service, capacity, equipment, quality of service policy, experience and good references. It is also professional to present your company using a vision/mission statement if you have created one.

Presentation and size
As your “business profile” represents your company, it is absolutely essential to prepare it professionally. This includes a good layout, no typing errors, laser printing on quality paper and proper coloring and structuring. Of course it is entirely up to your imagination and creativity to add or delete subjects and give it its final form and outlook. However, including the contents mentioned above is crucial. In relation to the size of your profile, think about the time that your potential customer is willing to give to read your profile. Put yourself in the position of your potential customer and only include information that you think he would like to know to enable him to do the business with you. First catch the attention, then generate Interest and create desire to get him into action. Be informative and business like.

You can build this as several paragraphs or you can create headings – your choice, the following steps are suggestions. Creation of this profile is defined by the project you are applying for only include what is relevant to that project. Keep the profile brief but informative.

Step 1
Assemble the contact information. This includes the name of the company, physical and mailing addresses, and the main telephone/fax number for the business. The contact information should also include the web site address if the company has an online presence.

Step2
Define the core business of the company and how it is conducted. This can include such factors as noting the number of equipment/facilities owned and operated by the company, the major products or services provided by the business and the experience of the company - you can briefly reference previous relevant, jobs that were successfully completed.


Step3
Provide background on the history of the business if it shows relevance to the project. Start with the founding of the company and move on through any periods of expansion in facilities, growth into new consumer markets, and the creation and marketing of innovative products or services. Include data on any event that was of key importance to helping the company achieve its current status.


Step4
Build basic profiles of key figures in the business. This would include information about such figures as the Owner, Managers and Financial Officer if applicable. An overview of their educational credentials/ trade tickets/licenses etc. and business experience is often included, with an emphasis on their achievements since the beginning of their association with the company. Elaborating a bit on the education, training, credentials or experience of personnel interests customers and helps them identify the company that fits their own beliefs and criteria. Resumes could be attached if they support your application. Your customer needs to know you have the experience and qualifications to do the job.

Step5
If appropriate, include projections of the future performance of the business. This can include such factors as proposed expansion into new markets, development of new products to meet emerging consumer demands, and any reorganization projects that are anticipated to allow the company to efficiently achieve its future goals.

Step6
Arrange the data into a simple format that easily transitions from one section to another. Always include the contact information at the beginning of the profile. The rest of the document can be arranged by determining the level of importance of the other steps based on the intended purpose of the business profile. Try to include some personality in your writing, giving some sense of the business' culture. Adding information about the company's purpose, community support or vision can add human personality to a profile, thus creating interest for the reader.

Prepared by Muskoka Small Business Centre – for more information call (705) 646-9021 or email: info@muskokasmallbusiness.ca or http://www.muskokasmallbusiness.ca/