Back to School for Students and Businesses

No matter that my own children are grown and starting families of their own these days, I am still struck, every fall, with a familiar sense of excitement, anticipation, and purpose that is part of the busy “back-to-school” and “back-to-business” season. Like a breath of fresh air, fall sweeps in with boundless energy and opportunities for growth.  October is Small Business Month in Ontario, and in a year that has been designated the Year of the Entrepreneur, tradeshows, networking, conferences and business events abound. The prospects for change have never been more available or more exciting.  

Whatever else lies ahead in this busy month, I know that for me, this is a time to learn something new, or re-learn something I may have forgotten.  Learning itself is a passion, a labour of love for me. It empowers me, giving me wisdom that I can put to work for myself, and share with others. It gives me confidence, offering me a competitive edge in the workplace and my life. Knowledge makes me humble. The more I learn, the more I understand how little I really know and how very much there is still to discover.

There has never been a time in history when learning has been so fashionable and so available. We are truly blessed to live in a time when the information highway literally comes through our own living-rooms, when mentors, speakers, and facilitators are abundant, and workshops, both in-class and on-line, are relatively inexpensive, accessible and of a high quality. Educational events and conferences are plentiful, with talented presenters and experts willingly sharing what they know so that we can be better, have better businesses.

I am excited about the opportunity that I get for professional development. And I am excited for my clients because, ultimately, that’s who really gains.  The better I do my job, the better they will be able to do theirs.  And that is true for all of us! Learning is not just for the youth among us, not just for those students who are seeking to find or create a basic education, or build a career path for the first time. It is also for those among us who revel in being more, better, smarter, outstanding, and building a business that reflects those qualities.

Learning is a life-long pursuit. When we stop learning, we stop growing. What could you learn in the coming months and years that would benefit you and maybe your customers?  Business management? Marketing? E-Commerce? Customer service? How to network effectively? Merchandising techniques? Selling skills? Whatever it is, the time is right. By making continuing education a part of your business plan this year not only will you grow, but so will your business!  So, read a book, take a course, attend a conference or webinar – the choice is yours. Choose to empower yourself!

 Terri Plaxton Smith is the business consultant for the Greater Barrie Business Enterprise Centre, 24 Maple Ave., downtown Barrie.  For information and assistance, call (705)720-2445 or check out our website at www.barriebusinesscentre.ca.

Look for Terri Plaxton Smith's columns in the pages of Huronia Business Times.