By Adelle Lamour
A new type of business advisory service is now available for small- and medium-sized enterprises in Northern Ontario.
In June of this year, the Quantum Management Group in Timmins accepted a contract through the Innovation Synergy Centre in Markham (ISCM) to deliver its expert business advisory and mentoring services in the North.
“It’s a good merger to get the private sector to help deliver the service in Northern Ontario,” says Ken Petersen, partner and management consultant in the Quantum Management Group.
The ISCM is a not-for-profit business advisory hub based in Markham that helps companies increase their sales and employment base at no cost. Fast approaching its fourth year, it has assisted more than 385 companies in a wide spectrum of fields, from technology, biotech, automotive, agriculture, manufacturing, export and general business industries, says Rod Graham, ISCM director of client services. It receives support from the Town of Markham, The National Research Council and the Ontario Ministry of Innovation.
The Timmins centre evolved out of interactions with a mutual colleague, Randy Harris, partner and managing director of Quantum Management Group. As an expansion of services for both firms, it is unique from other business advisory centres because of the detailed level of service offered, as well as the ability to access the long-time expertise of the Quantum group partners, and its southern counterpart advisors at the ISCM.
The focus is on small- to medium-sized companies with sales around $1 million and 10 or more employees, not start-up businesses. It is also available for clients who are looking to develop new technology, expand their business or export.
“We provide people with business direction and advice in more detail than probably they would get through the business self-help programs at current provincial government offices,” Petersen says. “There is also a special research function we can provide to companies.”
Should further questions or problems arise, ISCM and their resources are available to help the business. The northern and southern mix of functional experts on each staff provides a wider pool of mentors from whom to draw. The northern component is valuable for those businesses in the North that face issues specific to the area, such as high energy rates, remoteness, telecommunication services and higher transportation costs.
Besides the ability to access the varied resources of each company, Petersen says the service is different because it allows them to do “triage-assess business problems for clients where they might not normally go to use a consulting service.
“There are a lot of things I see that happen in many communities that if people would just take the time to talk to somebody who has been there before, they may not make these mistakes.”
The process of obtaining assistance requires online registration at
www.iscm.ca
, free of charge.
Since the opening of the Timmins branch, Petersen says there is a whole spectrum of business issues coming to the table, not just people looking to access capital. Consequently, the amount of time spent with each client varies depending on their needs.
“It’s a good mutual partnership,” says Petersen, and a valuable opportunity for businesses seeking professional advice.
