Author: BDG News

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. How to protect, improve your credit score amid cost-of-living pressures Last month, the federal government proposed tying rent payments to credit scores, a new way to help Canadians build their credit. Meanwhile, cost-of-living pressures are impacting some people’s ability to pay down debt and keep their scores in good standing. Most Canadians…  Read more

As a small business owner, one of your biggest concerns may be the threat of retail theft. It’s understandable that the thought of someone stealing from you could be both frustrating and disheartening, especially when you’ve poured so much effort into building your business.  Shoplifting can have a significant impact on your bottom line, making it essential to take steps to deter potential thieves and protect your merchandise. In this…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Businesses, consumers more optimistic about economy amid expected rate cuts The Bank of Canada says business and consumer sentiment improved during the first quarter of the year, despite higher interest rates still putting a drag on the economy. The central bank released its business outlook and consumer expectations surveys…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. CRA no longer requiring tax return for bare trusts this year Canadians with bare trust arrangements, such as a co-signed mortgage or joint bank account, won’t be required to comply with new tax-reporting requirements for 2023. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) said in an announcement Thursday that bare trusts no longer have to…  Read more

If you’re like many business owners, you may find yourself struggling to understand what your finances mean or how you can use your financial information to make decisions for your business. Often we get into business because we love a product or service we want to provide. It’s not as common that we love managing the financial aspects of our business.  As a business owner, you have your best chances…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Drop the mortgage stress test at renewal, competition watchdog urges Ottawa Canada’s competition watchdog is urging Ottawa to drop requirements for some borrowers to pass the mortgage stress test at renewal, arguing it limits Canadians’ abilities to shop around for a better rate. Business insolvency filings highest in years Dina Kovacevic,…  Read more

When you run your small business, you have a lot on your plate. That makes it tempting to let some tasks slide, especially tasks that are related to finances, which can be challenging and is often outside your preferred skill set or experience. There are some tips you can follow that keep your finances healthy and enable you to thrive. Here are some financial best practices for managing your business,…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. 40% of Canadian industries ‘highly vulnerable’ to supply shocks Forty per cent of Canadian industries are “highly vulnerable” to external demand and supply shocks, Statistics Canada says.  The federal statistic agency said on Friday those industries, which account for 25 per cent of Canada’s economic output, are exposed to risks…  Read more

If you’re considering selling your business, the process should begin long before you put the ‘For Sale’ sign up. Selling a business is not just a major financial decision but a life-changing one that requires meticulous planning and a strategic approach. In order to get the maximum return on your investment, you need to understand what potential buyers are looking for and make your business as attractive as possible. Step…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. A change to Canadian banking is coming… A long-promised revolution in banking is headed to Canada, but you might not notice when it arrives. Change is in the works that will give Canadian consumers and businesses significantly more control over their financial data, including who they share it with, in what’s…  Read more

Customer service is the heartbeat of any successful business. It’s the unsung hero that transforms a potential disaster into an opportunity, and a mere transaction into a lifelong relationship. In the narrative of customer loyalty and retention, service is the protagonist. Your approach to customer service has the power to attract and retain customers. Why stellar customer service is key The importance of customer service for loyalty and retention cannot…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Canada’s economy grows more than expected, dodging recession Stronger growth supports case for Bank of Canada to hold interest rates steady until June. Canada tax changes to be aware of in 2024 There are a number of new tax measures and reporting requirements Canadians should keep in mind when…  Read more

Marketing can feel like a daunting task for small business owners. If you’re new to the game, or maybe you’ve been in business for a while and just haven’t quite cracked the code, navigating the world of marketing can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Your business deserves to be seen, heard, and thriving – and with the right guidance, you can make marketing work for you. Let’s…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Inflation in Canada slows Canada’s inflation rate slowed in January to a 2.9% increase, compared to December’s 3.5% hike, according to Statistics Canada. This slowdown keeps the Bank of Canada on track for a potential interest rate cut in June. Lower costs for fresh vegetables and air travel contributed…  Read more

Let’s talk about your phone habits. It may not be a pleasant topic to discuss, but it does matter. How you use your phone can have a huge impact on your life and on your business. Sounds dramatic? Not at all. These mini pocket-sized computers are with us all the time and the constant flow of notifications can interrupt our workflow incessantly. Your mobile habits significantly impact your concentration span.…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Interest rate cuts would ease housing supply constraint, Fraser suggests Cuts to interest rates in Canada may lead to better housing supply, Housing Minister Sean Fraser suggests. As pandemic bills come due, are Canada’s small businesses in danger? How many mom-and-pop shops on our main streets are destined to disappear in the coming…  Read more

As a business owner, you’re the architect of your business’s vision and culture. But in the hustle to develop products, chase sales, and keep the lights on, some of the foundation often gets lost in the mix. Core values—those guiding principles that shape your company’s identity—are more than just words on a wall or a statement in a handbook. These aren’t just buzzwords to sprinkle throughout your website – your…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Canada’s economy added 37,000 jobs in January as unemployment declines to 5.7% Canada’s economy added 259,000 jobs in February, surpassing expectations and reducing the unemployment rate to 8.2%, the lowest since March 2020. The gains were primarily in the retail and hospitality sectors, with full-time positions accounting for 80%.…  Read more

When was the last time you felt that you had a week’s worth of energy to pour into just four days of work? As COVID-19 has reshaped our work-life balance and continues to redefine what is essential in our professional world, the concept of a shorter workweek is gaining traction. With proposed legislation in various states and countries, and the ongoing conversation among professionals, it’s evident that the discussion around…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Interest rates won’t solve housing problems, Macklem says While the Bank of Canada continues to grapple with the high cost of housing in its quest to tamp down inflation, the governor of the central bank is telling lawmakers that monetary policy isn’t going to fix affordability issues in the market. A…  Read more