As a business owner it can be difficult to decide whether to hire an employee or to bring on an independent contractor. What are the pros and cons of both? And what’s the difference anyway?

Success takes time. Time to achieve, time to maintain. But for those who own and operate small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMEs), time is often in short supply.

Most business owners go into business because they have a great idea or a skill that they can build something with and sell. Most business owners are not experts in hiring, training, managing, coaching or firing. Human resources skills are not all that exciting to the average business owner.

OTTAWA – Baseball Canada today announced that former Major League Baseball player and Olympian, Jason Dickson, will be the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Protecting the health and safety of your employees and contractors is one of the basic responsibilities of every business owner. Not only do you have an ethical responsibility to keep your staff safe and healthy, it’s also the law.

The weather has finally turned in our favour and the air lingers with the scent of cut grass, the sound of birds chirping and finally leaves back on our trees. Sigh. If you’re anything like me, this change in seasons gets you thinking about a summer getaway to the lake or a road trip with the kids. Some planned time away from your business to enjoy the summer weather is in order.

Most business owners start out with a solid strategic plan.  Where things often fall apart is in translating the plan into objectives for employees and managing their performance.

Running a small-medium sized business can be challenging at the best of times and there are so many things to remember to do, especially when it comes to managing your human resources.

A strong business plan is the foundation for the growth and success of any company. While bankers will always request to see your strategy before financing—checking off the needs of your financial institution’s requirement list shouldn’t be the only reason you develop a business plan.

As the owner of a consulting firm, often supporting numerous clients at any one time, it is imperative I’m always on the ball and organized, “crossing my t’s and dotting my i’s.”