How We Can Help

Burlington
Operations & Srategy Advisors

Operating a small business effectively and efficiently is fundamental to it’s success. A great and innovative idea, product or service is only as good as how well the company executes and runs their business.

How we can help your business:

  • Planning and developing strategies
  • Staffing
  • Information systems
  • Digitizing their business
  • Inventory management and cost controls

Business Plan and Strategies

Every business needs a roadmap to define their goals.
Your plan should include:

  1. The purpose of your business
  2. Identify your target market and customers
  3. Define success for your business
    • Establish financial targets for short and medium term
  4. List what you need to start and run your business
    • Staff
    • Facilities
    • Funding
    • Skills

When a company requests a consultation, we will request that they provide their business plan. If one isn’t documented, we will recommend that a simple one or two page plan be completed. Having a roadmap for a business is essential. Make it realistic – review and re-evaluate it periodically.

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Staffing

To achieve the goals of the business whether it is to grow your company, increase revenue, expand your product or service
offerings, will at some point require more labour. We have helped clients with assessing their staffing needs and skills required, understanding the business owners strengths and priorities, leading to recommendations such as:

  • Skills and expertise needed
  • What roles might be required, if they are undefined or missing,
  • To hire full-time or to contract
  • What training might be required
  • Are there functions that should be outsourced to other service providers
    • Accounting, legal, IT, Security, Administration, to name a few

Toronto Psychology Clinic is a client we helped to identify and assess issues related to hiring and managing their staff’s performance. Our advisors recommended useful processes and tools for managing their employees while administrative responsibilities were being realigned amongst staff.

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Information Systems and Digitalizing your Business

With the advent of cloud computing and social media technology over 10 years ago now, it has been easier for small businesses to make use of technology not only for back office functions but to market, sell and create and promote their brand, products and
services.

The flip side is customers are more sophisticated in their use of various smart devices and their expectation of their client experience is high. With the onset of the pandemic most companies had no choice but to pivot and digitize their business in some way to continue to survive.

When our client’s register with us for a consultation, even if their issue is not about IT or digitizing their business, part of our research is to review the company’s online and social media sites. Besides understanding your business, we want to assess how effective you tell your story.

Sean Howard requested our help with how to create a Software as a Service (SaaS) for his company Flightpath Software Inc. The selected BAG advisors leveraged their collective IT experience to provide an approach as to what cost elements to consider. Sean was extremely satisfied with BAG’s recommendations.

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Inventory Management and Cost Controls

Inventory management and cost controls are essential for any business that produces a product from raw materials or provides a service delivered by staff. With the inflationary period we are experiencing, controlling costs are even more challenging. Inventory management and understanding your cost of goods sold is directly linked to having proper tracking processes and good financial reporting practices.

Worldwide supply chain issues are seriously impacting businesses. Managing your inventory of raw materials and finished products including understanding your carrying costs, inventory turns, managing your suppliers and their terms are all vitally important in operating your business. Our experienced team of advisors can help you identify any shortcoming in your inventory management system and help you understand key cost indicators to focus on.

During their first year of operating, Poke Co, a new restaurant in Hamilton that specializes in high quality poke bowls engaged our services to discuss the possibility of expanding to a second location. In reviewing their financial statements, we advised that they needed to first focus on managing their costs for a longer period of time during the pandemic before considering opening another site. The great news is their focus and patience of waiting and achieving cost constancy in their business paid off and provided the opportunity to expand in 2022!

 

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Hear from our clients

"With the help of our three advisors and the motivation and excitement they brought to the table, we were able to significantly increase sales and re-invigorate our business."
David Elliott | Co-Founder & Chief Executive OfficerFlowDecor
“I was very happy to have found a Small Business Advisory. As a healthcare professional with zero training in business management, I was looking for business coaching and mentorship with respect to business strategy, hiring and growth. After trying a few other business consultants, I found Small Business Advisory provided the support I needed."
Dr. Saunia Ahmad, PhD, CPsychToronto Psychology Clinic
"Glen, Eric and Bob, your encouragement and professional advice through the mentoring I received have been priceless."
Val Clarke | Owner/FounderClarke's Tea
"The expertise of The Small Business Advisory group has been very helpful for my small coffee business."
Ed Mortenson | Founder and OwnerMornin' Buzz Coffee
“Glen, Mack, Bob, and Warren have been instrumental to me in my business startup process. They are trusted business advisors and coaches and provide me with supportive, timely advice. They always offer actionable recommendations on how to improve my business and I always look forward to meeting with them. They are great mentors and their expertise has been invaluable.”
Lisa Pender, M. A.Digital Wellness Educator
"Thank you SO MUCH for connecting me with my wonderful group of advisors. I am so grateful for this valuable resource."
Jude CarriereJude’s Desk
"Engaging the Business Advisory Group was the single greatest decision I made in starting my enterprise SAAS startup. Trust me. Book a session. It's the best ROI you will ever see."
Sean Howard | CEOFlightpath Software
"They had a solid understanding of the issues I had presented and we had a very clear and engaging discussion which lead to a positive path forward. I would highly recommend the services of the Business Advisory Group!"
Amelia SherSheridanlife Radio
Robert, Mack and Warren of The Business Advisory Group were not only helpful but also provided my web design business with valuable information. This guidance helped me better understand what was required to take my small business to the next level. I would highly recommend BAG to any business. They meet with you one on one to provide personalized information and expertise geared to your business goals, followed by a detailed report outlining the discussion points and their recommendations for moving forward. I look forward to our continued partnership! Thank you again.
Erik Betz | CEOEB Media
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Client Success Stories
Contact Us today

2-3 hours for only $195

We are here to help, providing invaluable advice for an affordable fee.
Ongoing sessions can be arranged as your business evolves.
Virtual meetings are available, including clients outside the GTA/Golden Horseshoe area.

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Our Burlington Locations

Both in-person and virtual meetings are available to clients. We have two locations in Burlington, affiliated with the Burlington Chamber of Commerce and Halton Industry Education Council.  Virtual meetings are available outside the GTA/Golden Horseshoe area.

Burlington Chamber of Commerce

The Business Advisory Group (BAG) has a close working relationship with the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. One of the Chamber’s key objectives is to provide opportunities for businesses to network and connect with other local businesses.

The Business Advisory Group supports several Chamber member programs, two of which are:

  1. The Chamber’s “Business After 5” events provide opportunities for businesses to network and connect with other local businesses. This helps to build relationships and expand their professional network. BAG hosts a booth at these events to provide businesses a chance to
    meet and chat about their business.
  2. The Chamber’s “Learning Series” focuses on providing access to specialists in their respective fields and enables businesses an opportunity to understand and learn from these professionals.

The Business Advisory Group encourages our clients to participate in Chamber events. We are available to help your business by providing independent advice. Contact us when you are ready.

 

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414 Locust Street, Suite 201,
Burlington, ON L7S 1T7

From the QEW, take Brant Street south to Elgin Street. Turn right on Elgin Street and proceed to Locust Street. Turn left on Locust Street. Just past 414 Locust Street, turn right into the parking lot. The Chamber office is accessed from the parking lot. Telephone 905-639-0174..

Halton Industry Education Council (HIEC) – Career Centre

The Halton Industry Education Council (HIEC), based in Burlington, focuses on partnership, mentorship and workforce development. Their programs include career and lifelong learning, apprenticeship support, mentorship and workforce development. Their goal is to build stronger connections between educators, employers and the students who will make up our future workforce.

The Business Advisory Group actively supports two HIEC programs:

  1. “Women as Career Coaches” – HEIC’s conference supporting female mentors to act as career coaches to empower young women to take control of their futures
  2. “Men as Career Coaches” – HIEC’s conference supporting male mentors to act as career coaches to empower young men to take control of their futures.

The Business Advisory Group continues to support HEIC and their programs. We are available to help your business by providing independent advice for a reasonable fee. Contact us when you are ready, and we will assign volunteer business leaders to meet you about your most pressing challenges.

 

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5230 South Service Road, Burlington
QEW and Appleby Line.

Take Appleby line South to Harvester Rd., Left (East) on Harvester to South Service Road. Left (North) on South Service Road, follow it around, parallel with the Highway, until you reach 5230 on your right. Turn left immediately along the front of the building. Park in front of the building near the entrance. HIEC is just inside the main entrance on the ground floor.