Insight Newsletter: October 2020 Edition

Stay up to date on relevant and timely business and economic news and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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Township of Langley Digital Business Walk 2020

October is Small Business Month, and our annual Business Walk is going digital! Mayor Froese, members of Council, and staff will be reaching out to small businesses in Fort Langley and Murrayville by phone from October 26 – 30 to learn how they have managed through COVID-19, and more generally about what’s working, what could be working better, and what opportunities are on the horizon. Learn more and take part from any Township community at invest.tol.ca/businesswalk. 

Fraser Valley Tech Forum 2020 (Virtual)

The Fraser Valley Tech Forum, is going virtual this year. The virtual event will be held October 21 – 22, and provides the opportunity to e-connect and network with entrepreneurs, business service providers, peers from the tech industry, and speakers. This event is being held by Xlrator, a coalition of local government, industry partners, and education institutions interested in attracting tech-based investments into the region. To learn more about the Tech Forum and get your free tickets visit xlrator.ca/fvtechforum. 

Toolbox spotlight: Reach your customers

Gaining a better understanding of who your customers are and where they are located is paramount to growing your business. We’ve put something in your business toolbox that allows you to do just that.

Simply input your industry or the products you specialize in, and we’ll combine powerful datasets to provide you with valuable information. You’ll get a detailed breakdown of your customer profile based on industry statistics, along with background details and additional considerations for your business. This is demonstrated in an interactive map that can help you visualize ideal locations and regions that are likely to provide the best return for your marketing efforts.

As you move through this tool, you will also find a number of additional resources that can help you make the most of your customer research, how to conduct customer research online, run effective surveys, and learn about market research best practices. All of this (and more, we promise!) is available in our Investment Data Toolbox. 

Claim your free .ca website

Looking to create a website for your business? Webnames.ca is offering Canadian small businesses an opportunity to build a one-page website for free. You will receive the basics that you need to get your business online, including: 

1. A free .CA domain
2. Branded email account
3. Powerful DIY one-page website builder
4. Mobile-ready web templates tailored for small business
5. FREE for 1 full year to Canadian small businesses and freelancers

This is a limited time offer. Learn more and start building your website. 

BDC Small Business Week

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) provides support to small and medium sized businesses in all industries and stages of growth with money and advice.

In response to COVID-19, BDC is hosting its first-ever virtual Small Business Week from October 19 – 23, which includes events and webinars. Find details and join BDC for this year's themed event, ‘Forging the Way Forward’ at bdc.ca/sbwevents.

BDC has a variety of resources and tools to help businesses bounce back. Check out all of their resource and tools including BDC’s six steps on how to get your business online, and grow your business, customer base, and revenue. 

Climate Action Survey for business

The Township is developing a Climate Action Strategy to reduce emissions and limit future climate change impacts in our community. Community partners and businesses represent a key part of a sustainable future and the Strategy’s success. We invite you to take the Climate Action Survey to provide your feedback on transportation, building and land use, agriculture, and more. Have your say at tol.ca/climateaction.