Office Space Full of Opportunity

One of the incredible things that sets the Downtown Business Centre apart from other co-share spaces are the networking opportunities that arise from basing your business out of a building that provides such a community atmosphere. We pride ourselves on being the framework that provides support, structure, and a home for our local, growing businesses. If you’re thinking of coming to join our happy family, here are a few reasons why moving into the Downtown Business Centre is beneficial to your business.

The benefits of having so many like-minded businesses under one roof are endless. From tenants giving each other client referrals by the water cooler, to having someone walk down the hall and spot the signage on your door, to having the same style business pass on clients that they’re too busy to take on at the minute to a DBC colleague... the networking opportunities go on and on.

Or, similarly, having the chance to spread the word of your business with complementary businesses. For example, the Midwifery tells their clients about the RMT in the building that specializes in pre-natal massages, and the RMT passes their clients on to the acupuncturist down the hall. Growing your business client by client couldn’t be easier anywhere else than here at the Downtown Business Centre.

There is also the wonderful opportunity of simply getting to know the people in your building. Once a month, the DBC hosts an office lunch – usually pizza – for the entire building. Those who are able to attend get the chance to chat and mingle with each other, and see what each business is all about! The lunch is by donation, and the proceeds go towards a different charity each month. Beneficial for both you, your business, and the community!

To hear about more of the benefits of having an office here at the Downtown Business Centre, contact us by phone or email.

Calling All Sole Proprietors -

March has arrived in the Fraser Valley! And although the crazy drawn-out snow this winter may have kept you from attending work or other activities – one thing that it won’t work as an excuse for are taxes. Yes, April is just around the corner, and as a sole proprietor small business owner, you need to be prepared for your fiscal year to wrap up.

For sole proprietors nearing their year end, it’s best to get a jump start on tax season if you haven't already – both mentally and physically. Here are some tips that will keep your head on straight, and your books in order:

Ensure that you are organized!

The month leading up to the year end, as opposed to waiting until two days before – is the best time to get all your ducks in a row. When was the last time you tidied up that filing cabinet? Did you ever track down that missing invoice or receipt from a few weeks ago? Now is the time to refer to your notebook of “to-do’s” and get them done.

Book your appointment with your accountant early.

Tax professionals get absolutely swamped during tax season. They’re busy, just like you! You hate it when your clients absolutely need something right before a deadline or just a busy time, so why wouldn’t they?

Hand over everything to your accountant.

All of those things that we’ve just organized, need to be handed over, and all at once. Don’t let a certain few pieces of loose leaf paper get misplaced, and pass them over once tax season is over. Make sure everything important is hunted down and handed in. And, although this may seem like a given, anything that is marked as “Important Tax Information Enclosed” IS in fact important! Give it to your accountant!

Get help from a professional!

This last one is perhaps one of the most crucial pieces of advice that you can accept. You’ve put blood, sweat, and tears into your business. You’ve been choosey about every aspect of building and establishing your brand… so why would you skimp out on the finances? Hire a professional. There are so many things that you can miss and make errors on when filing your own taxes. Don’t leave this one last little detail up to fate.

So, are you a sole proprietor with a new business, but still don’t have an accountant? Lucky for you, here at the Downtown Business Centre we have an incredibly hard working and passionate company in our building, Hilltop Accounting Ltd. Chad Eros with Hilltop Accounting has just recently moved into our building in the Downtown Chilliwack area, and is accepting new clients. Please contact him or check out his website for more details or to schedule an appointment.

Business Goal Setting For 2017

Business Goals 2017. A very successful man once said that “a bad strategy will fail no matter how good your information is, and lame execution will stymie a good strategy”. The name Bill Gates may perhaps ring a bell, as he is a remarkably successful, world renown business man; and a wise one at that.
Your talent, ambition, and skills are only as useful as your method to deploy them. That is why planning and setting yourself goals is so crucial to your business. And with the New Year already underway, what a better time then now to set them? Here are 5 tips on how to set yourself productive goals for the year.

Set realistic and attainable goals for the year.
Giving yourself goals that you know that, deep down, cannot simply be achieved within your given time frame will only set you up for failure and disappointment. Start the year off with small goals, and make the challenges slightly greater as you complete each one.

Allow yourself to adjust your goals as needed.
Life happens. There will be times when things get in the way of your goals. Whether those things be family issues, financial problems, or simply just bumps in the road... so you must to allow yourself a little bit of wiggle room. Let your goals be adjusted if and when you need them. Perhaps a time extension, or maybe a lightening the load a little bit can make all the difference between letting a goal fizzle out, and taking a step closer to achieving it.

Set yourself measurable goals.

Although not all goals need to be tracked with numbers and statistics, they sure do help. Make yourself goals that can be analyzed, and allow you to see on a clear scale how your business strategies have been measuring up. This way, adjusting your plan for success becomes a lot more organized and straightforward.

Make your goals descriptive and detailed.

If you are setting goals that are vague and lack direction or specificity, you’re really just setting yourself up for failure. Without detailed guidelines on where you’re planning on going or what you’re planning on doing, you allow yourself far too much room for things to fall between the cracks and lay either forgotten or only halfway achieved. Or, even worse, these things end up being completed with poor quality and a poor work ethic. Keep yourself on track by making sure things are mapped out specific and accordingly!

There is nothing quite like a fresh start to a brand new year. Follow these tips on setting business goals for the year, and you will be sure to wrap up 2017 with outstanding success and achievements.

Holiday Lull - Use The Time Wisely!

It's that time of year when the focus changes from the structured day to day to the Holiday Season and the New Year! Unless your in a Retail Business that is directly affected by the holiday retail rush your probably seeing a bit of slow down as we wind up the year.

It is nice to be able to come up for air after a really economically interesting 2016. But during this lull, while the focus is on the festivities and even booked holidays, it is a great time to re focus yourself and take a good look at things within your own business that need adjusting. It's a great time of year to look at whats working or not working, where perhaps there is more potential for growth and of course its a great time to freshen up your brand.

So while the office slows a bit, make a plan to:

Look at your numbers for the year.
Spend some time looking at work flow and how you could improve on it.
Check out some new automation and project management programs you can implement into your infrastructure to better serve your clients and your bottom line.
Tidy up your communication or perhaps find better ways to reach potential clients
Take a look a your online presence, including web and social platforms. Creep your competitions pages and see what they are up to.
Swing by - your clients are probably finding themselves with a bit of available time on their hands. Stop by for a social call, let them know you appreciate their business and perhaps even drop off a token of your appreciation.

Lastly...

take some time for yourself. It has been a crazy hectic year and a little time spent enjoying the season and relaxing is time well spent. It will allow you to feel refreshed and come back to 2017 refocused and ready to reach your 2017 goals!

Happy Holidays!

Downtown Core Host To Fall Community Events

Downtown Chilliwack is not only home to the DBC, but is home to some of the best events in the Fraser Valley. Here is our list of “must-see, must-be-there” events for the upcoming month of September!

Goods for the Soul: August 3 – September 10
What? Goods for the Soul is an art & sculpture exhibit put on by local talents Diane Mackenzie (artist) and Michael Ray (sculptor).
Where? O’Connor Group Art Gallery, Chilliwack Centre
Web? Check it out on-line here for more information.

Bicycle Trek for Life & Breath 2016: September 10-11
What?   The Bicycle Trek is a fundraiser where participants will ride from South Surrey to Cultus Lake and back in support of the BC Lung Association's fight against lung disease. There are 2 ride options for participants, a 1-day, 50km ride and a 2-day, 200km option. Proceeds from this event will be used to fund lung health research, various clean air campaigns, and provides patient education and support.
Where?    South Surrey – Cultus Lake
Web?    Catch all the details here on their web page

Fall Creations: September 15
What?    A three-day series in which visitors may use a variety of media to create art pieces inspired by the arrival of fall.
Where?   Chilliwack Community Arts Council – Arts Room
Web?   Check out this event and more on their event page.

Teen Wii Trivia Showdown: September 15
What? 6 pm – 7:30 pm - Why not come to the Chilliwack Library for a rousing game of trivia to test your wits, have fun and get to know someone new? Bring your friends for a most excellent and semi-competitive time! And we’ll eat some pizza while we’re at it!
Where? 45860 First Avenue
Web? All the details are found here

Parkinson Super Walk: September 17
What?   Over 20 communities across the province will be participate in organized walks to raise money and pledges to support research for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
Where?    Evergreen Hall
Web?    Be sure to Register!

Terry Fox Run: September 18
What?    The annual Terry Fox run in order to raise money to discover a cure for cancer. This year’s run will be dedicated to Terry’s father, Rolly Fox.
Where?    Landing Sports Centre on Spadina Avenue
Web?    For more information or to register click here.

Fire & Ice Science Show: September 24
What?    Bring your children out to be enchanted by the works of the Mad Scientists. Children will be entertained by various experiments such as dry ice storms, floating beach balls, and will learn about chemical reactions, air pressure, and the states of matter.
Where?   Sardis Library
Web?    Get all the information here.

To view the entire list of community events happening here in Chilliwack in September as well as the remainder of the year, be sure to visit the City of Chilliwack Events Page.

3 Tips For Creating A Productive Office Space

It is so important to productivity to design a space that is functional and sets the tone of your work environment. No matter how big or small your space we have 3 tips for creating the most productive space possible to help you get through the day.

Keep things light.

First off, one of the best things that you can do for yourself, your employees, your clients, and your business is to ensure that your office has as much light as possible. Natural light, in particular, can be the most important decorative feature of your space. Natural light has proven to allow for increased productivity and levels of focus as it enables us to see details more clearly. Furthermore, natural light keeps us awake and focused as it is known to have a decrease in headaches and eye strain, as artificial light or dimness often provides. However, if no natural light is available in your space, try opting for lamps and lighting that emits a warmer glow. This way, the sharpness of typical, florescent lights doesn’t give off that harsh vibe in the environment that you’re trying to make appear welcoming. Avoid dark and dim offices unless you are attempting to create such an atmosphere, as a counselor may. Other than that, light it up!

natural light for the office — CCR Events Green Initiatives shows off their natural light solutions in this office.

Invest in updated furniture.

We know you love that old, creaky, spindly office chair that you’ve had since you started your business ten years ago; however, that rickety piece of furniture behind that outdated desk may give off the wrong impression to your clients. Invest in some new furniture! Not only will some modern updates give off a fresh feel to your office, your employees will thank you for the positive change. Keep it comfy, stylish, and presentable.

modern office space — We found this modern office on Houzz.com

Tidy up!

Nothing gives off a bad vibe to a client like walking into an office for a meeting that is an absolute mess. Papers strewn all over desks, coats hanging haphazardly off the backs of chairs, and dying plants over in the corner – doesn’t make the best impression, does it? Keep things clean and tidy! Make it a habit to vacuum your space once of twice a week, and wipe your desk down at the end of every day. Furthermore, invest in a filing cabinet or two. A disorganized office can lead to the impression of a disorganized business, which does not reflect well on the potential client! Straighten things up, and you’ll see a much more productive and successful working space.

The DBC Offers 3 Boardroom Choices For Your Next Conference Or Workshop

Looking for an alternative to hosting your meeting or conference at home, the library, or a stuffy coffee shop? Well, you’re in luck! The Downtown Business Centre has got you covered with a variety of different options that will keep your meeting organized, professional, and presentable!

The Lobby
Located in the front of our lobby, this meeting area comfortably seats up to 8 people in an open space that allows for just the right amount of seclusion. This space is ideal for more informal or casual gatherings as the bright, spacious location makes everyone feel comfortable and at ease!

The Secluded Boardroom
This professional boardroom seats up to 7 people comfortably, and provides interactive amenities such as a phone, television and computer for presentations. As our most popular booking space, this boardroom is located just off of the reception desk in the lobby, and is sure to wow your clients.

The Conference Space
Searching for the perfect place to host that conference or convention? Look no further. Our amazing upstairs boardroom adequately seats well over 25 people in this bright, stylish and presentable space. Conveniently located just down the hall from a set of washrooms, there is also a kitchenette space included in the area with a mini fridge and sink. This boardroom is equipped with everything you’ll need to nail that meeting.

Our Rates
The Downtown Business Centre has everything you need for a successful meeting. From laidback meeting spaces to extravagant boardrooms, we’ve got you covered. We have a friendly, very accommodating administrative staff that will do whatever they can to assist you in finding achievement in your business.
Our boardroom rates for each of these spaces start at $25/hour up to $100 for the entire day.
Call us now to book for your next meeting!

Copy That!

The Downtown Business Centre is a hub for small business. More than office space, the DBC provides many services to help small business thrive every day.

Boardroom Rentals, Photo Copying, Scanning, Faxing, P.O. Boxes and more. Need a few copies of your presentation? No need to head to that big box store that provides a big red button that is really not that easy. Our Admin Staff can give you a hand and have you on your way. Trying to scan something? At the DBC we are here to help you make sure your documents reach their destination.

Come check out the DBC and learn about everything we offer here. More than office space, the DBC is where small business comes together in our community.

DBC - Services Price List:

Anchor Your Business

Drop that anchor and show the market place you mean business.

Lets be clear, "working from home" and "running a business from home" are two very different things. Working from home is a option that some employers offer their employees. Running a business from your home is a completely different idea and must be handled with care.

Running a business from your home sounds great in theory; you can write the space off at tax time along with a portion of your utilities, you don't have to pay rent - or at least formally. With that comes an endless supply of distractions: dogs, kids, door bell, home phone, along with a few other temptations; I think Ill just go make a sandwich, or I should flip that laundry. For the very disciplined the later can be tamed for the most part. For those easily distracted, those little moments that you cut out of your day can become a big productivity sucker which can spiral as you become frustrated with the workload and lack of concentration.

One of the biggest concerns about running your business out of your home is the perception of not being 100% committed. People seeking your services or products may instantly have a preconceived notion that your not 100% committed to your business and that you can pull up anchor at any moment and just sail away. It's a genuine prejudice, as many businesses start out in basements or back bedroom offices just to test the waters. Those testing the waters often find that their business model doesn't float and no harm no fowl, they just stop operating out of their home. Businesses that are not going to make it fail within the first two years. With many reasons for a failed business; like a poor business model, unable to create systems, lack of preparation, etc. you can see why some opt to start their business at home, but often that is part of the problem and not the solution.

Be an individual, just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean you should. A tangible commitment to proper office / business space can give you much needed incentive to succeed along with a competitive edge. It also shows your potential customer that you have committed to your business by having a space designated to do business. Nothing says "I'm not doing well enough to make a financial commitment to my company" like a home office. Or at least that is how it is often perceived by potential clients.

If you have done your market research, know you strengths and have defined your weaknesses (so that you can fill them), have a niche place in the market that makes sense to consumers and you believe in your business, don't make the mistake of not investing in space. If your confident, know your business model is sound, then don't cut the one corner that could help solidify your success.

Lastly, the work from home office trend has since begun to fizzle. Business has not moved into the residential suburbs of small town anywhere. If your running your business from the basement, who are you engaging with? Who are you running into at random (other than the cat) that could be a potential lead to your biggest client? It is a chain reaction that happens everyday in the business word. Engaging with other like minded people can grow your business in ways that may be missed if your not there to engage. Alan Gregerman, a business consultant and author of the book, The Necessity of Strangers, says "we can be most successful when we connect with more people.” There’s “a lot that’s cool about collaboration”

So if you have a strong business model, have done your homework and are confident in your success, show the market place you are committed to your business. Its time to drop anchor, find a space that shows your potential clients, customers and network referrals that you mean to do business and be in business for the long haul.

3 Tips To Turn Potential Client Into Confident Customer

Tips for a Successful First Meeting with a New Client

You spent the money, you put in the hours, and finally, all of your marketing efforts paying off. The list of new potential clients is growing! So, how do you seal the deal? Here are 3 tips on how to turn that potential client into a faithful customer.

The early bird gets the worm. Don’t be late!
This first one seems pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised at how often it happens. From time to time, emergencies come up or kids need to be picked up from school and, out of nowhere, you’re late for your own meeting. Nothing speaks louder about your company than the way that you present yourself, and if you can’t manage to be on time, then what can you do? The best way to sidestep the unpredictable setbacks is to make sure that you are overly prepared for your meeting as early as possible.

Don't forget to plan your meetings earlier in the day. Meeting before mid day means you are meeting with someone who is fresh and free of the days trials and tribulations. Meeting with someone who is not weighed down with the days work is much more open minded than that of someone who is at the end of a long business day.

Do your research
You’ve spoken with this client a time or two on the phone, and you have a general idea about what kind of service that they’re looking for. Instead of giving them the same old routine sales pitch, it’s always beneficial to do as much as you can to cater to exactly what they’re looking for. Do your research. See if there are any ways that you can adjust your services to fit their needs perfectly! The client will appreciate you going out of your way for them, and they will trust that you have their best interests in mind.

Never promise more than you can give.
The meeting is going well! Closing statements are coming up quick and you’re hoping to get that deal-sealing handshake. The most tempting thing to do at this point is to sell them by any means possible. Resist the temptation! Although it is extremely enticing to close the agreement by tacking on an inviting offer, the backlash of that decision can be harmful. By promising something to a client that you either can’t give, or won’t be able to provide them further in the future, you are compromising the relationship with them. It’s best to stick with the plan and maintain the reliable reputation you’ve worked so hard to build.