Research Summary
Women Entrepreneurs In Canada Focused on Growth
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA-Women entrepreneurs are focused on profitability and building strong and growing businesses, according to a new study released by IBM Canada Ltd. and the Women Business Owners of Canada (WBOC). The study, titled “Women Business Owners of Canada: Entering the New Millennium,” focuses on key business issues facing Canadian women entrepreneurs, including technology, recruitment and international trade.
A new study by IBM Canada and Women Business Owners of Canada
According to the study, Canadian women entrepreneurs’ top five business issues and concerns are:
Maintaining business profitability (97%); Managing cash flow (89%); The state of the economy (70%); Gaining access to technology (65%); and Finding and keeping quality employees (62%).
Other important issues include obtaining training/education in business, government business laws and policies, access to capital for business growth, inflation and individual provincial laws.
“This study shows the integral value that technology plays in building and growing a small business,” said Margret Kennedy, Market Relationship Manager, Small Business Division, IBM Canada Ltd. “Nearly 95 per cent of the respondents use computers, and the majority are using the Internet, either for research or business transactions, and have web sites.”
The study also revealed that women business owners view international trade as an important avenue for business growth and opportunity. Almost one-third of respondents are currently engaged in international trade. Forty-three per cent of members with firms of 10 or more employees, and 41 per cent of those with annual sales of $500,000 or more, are engaged in international trade.
“Women business owners understand the potential of global markets to remain competitive and to help grow the business,” said Deborah Schmidt, President, Women Business Owners of Canada. “As these organizations grow, they are more likely to engage in international trade to improve profitability.”
Women entrepreneurs are a growing force in the Canadian economy, leading 31 per cent of firms and one-third of self-employed businesses. The survey was distributed to nearly 3,000 members of Women Business Owners of Canada; 1,166 questionnaires were received and analyzed. The research was designed and analyzed by the National Foundation for Women Business Owners, the premier source on women business owners and their enterprises worldwide.
To view or download the full “Women Business Owners of Canada” report, see www.can.ibm.com/news/latest/023/index.html.
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Fact sheet.
Citation
Center for Women’s Business Research. “Women Entrepreneurs In Canada Focused on Growth.” Research Summary. April 29, 1999. Washington, DC.