C.E.S. - Entrepreneurship

(~*~)
Hello,
As many know, I believe in helping others if I can. With this in mind...
The big reveal...
The request:
I was emailed tonight and asked to do a survey that would take 5 minutes.
(~*~)

Questionnaire Entrepreneurship in Canada

Dear Sir, Dear Madam

My name is Pieter-Jan Dierick and I am a student MBA International Relations at KU Leuven Campus Brussel. This year I need to write a Master Thesis. The subject of my paper is Entrepreneurship Policies with a special focus on Canada. For us, Belgians, Canada is an interesting country as it has a provincial structure and there is more than one official language, just like in Belgium. For me, this subject is especially very interesting because I was raised with an entrepreneurial background and I believe this can help me in my future job career later.

The questionnaire contains two parts. The first part contains some general questions helping me to sketch your profile. These questions are not compulsory. If you rather like to stay anonymous it is possible.

The second part contains questions concerning entrepreneurship and the governmental policies affecting them. After of each question I have put between brackets information about the answer I expect. At the end of the questionnaire there is space for some additional information about entrepreneurship in Canada you wish to add. It would be very helpful if you could answer the questions as broadly as possible. The more information I gather the better analysis I can make afterwards.

Thank you in advance for your response.

Pieter-Jan Dierick 

The outcome:

This was a bit of a "Le Challenge" for me. It took a lot of research (see my post on this topic - "Sharing Research... (^&~) Are you thinking of being an entrepreneur?" on Facebook - Collaborative Endeavors Studio page), and a lot longer than 5 minutes. Why? Because I am not familiar with the answers for the questions that were asked. If you want the links I shared, feel free to ask me in a message. Thanks
P.S. This was shared from a word document, so please excuse the fact that the numbers are outside the blog area for some reason... Thanks. 

General Questions

1.       Name:

2.       Gender:  F

3.       Function: Assistance of positive thinking and self-improvements

4.       Company: Chris S.’ Projects/ C.E.S. (more a home for my many ideas)

5.       Main sector of activity of the company: Inspiring Positive Growth, Creativity, Collaborations, and Community Building – Globally.

6.       Province of Origin:  Ontario

7.       Province where job is located: Ontario

Questions about entrepreneurship

1.   Is the general mind-set in Canada in favour of entrepreneurship? (Yes/No/No opinion)

Yes there are many that do this naturally, and there are many that discover it through different activities/ ways. I seem to fit in both categories here.

2.   Are there enough/ too many / too little entrepreneurs in Canada? Why is this good/bad?

There are ……………….. and this is …………. because ……………………………………….

There seems to be a good amount, as it contributes to a large portion of our economy.

Yet just as there is always “room for improvements”, I think there is always more room for Entrepreneurs too.

3.   What is your opinion on the importance of entrepreneurship for a country? (2 or 3 sentences)

I feel it is a vital contributor to any economy, and to the growth of our species/ planet in general. It helps to grow ideas that may already be started but not complete, just as much as it grows new ideas, innovations and technology to contribute to our global society. I say this because any “world-changing” idea can be introduced to the rest of us now with the use of the internet, and with the right tools and knowledge can be grown/ adapted to suit anyone.

4.   Which role does a government need to take in entrepreneurship? (Your opinion in two or three sentences)

I feel they need to take on a more supportive role in the areas of advocacy, leadership, resource assistance, and finances (to say the least). A couple of areas in particular that could really use a “make over”, are the taxes, and the cost and “red tape” that one must go through to get something patented – it’s overwhelming and too expensive for most (like probably 90% or more of the population can’t afford it). It is well known that many small to medium sized start-ups don’t necessarily last more than 5 years, and it’s a shame for the many with brilliant ideas.

5.   Do the entrepreneurship policies differ in the provinces? Which differences?(Yes/no and just 1 or two examples)

(Examples of policies in favour of entrepreneurship: incentives for start-ups, adapt education to create entrepreneurial skills, lower start-up cost for a company, public procurement focussing on young enterprises, investment funds, ….)

Yes, they seem to with provincial leadership - the cost of taxes, bureaucracy, “red tape”, and amounts of support (in general).

6.   Are the national, regional and provincial policies (for entrepreneurship) complementary? (yes/no) 
Not sure I would say complementary for small businesses as much as I would think (from all the research for this survey) for the government. As nationally, regionally, and provincially all seem to all have similarities – too costly, not enough actions taken after promises are made, too much “red tape”, and more negatives.

7.   Do you think different regions/provinces need a different approach? (Yes/No + one or two reasons)

No. They all need the same approach – more action and help, and less greed from the government.

8.   In which areas the national and provincial governments should invest more to improve entrepreneurship? (1 or 2 examples)

The national and provincial governments should invest more time in researching what it’s like to be a small or medium-sized start-up, so they can have a better perspective to SEE what is needed in all areas for improvements ACROSS CANADA.

9.   What are the best entrepreneurship policies in Canada? (2 or 3 answers)

I have read a lot on policies, and I am still not sure.

10.   Are companies / sectors involved in the decision-making process for policies? Should this be done more/less? (Yes/No & Yes/No)  

They are in the sense that they can have a say, but it’s whether or not the government does something to improve on suggestions or not that matters most here. Yes this should be done more.

11.   Are there major differences in how big (<more than 100 employees) and small and middle companies are treated by the government? Which differences? (Which companies get best treatment? & 2-3 examples)

Not sure, it’s hard to find a comparison of these online. So far I have found that the smaller companies seem to pay higher/ more taxes.

12.   Did the government install a good educational framework in favour of entrepreneurship? Is this necessary? Why (not)? (Yes/No & Yes/No & 2-3 examples of good/bad educational framework & 2-3 examples of why this is or isn’t necessary)  

Yes. & Yes, it is vital to our economy to gain more knowledge so we can better find our way through the “forest” of the entrepreneurial path.
Based on my research for your questions, what I have gathered/ my opinion…
Educational Framework:

Good: it is throughout the many school systems, and there are incentives throughout/ across the country. 

Bad: Too much “red tape”, high cost of taxes, and not enough communications of information in general. Ex. Funding is available, but it’s not so easy to access it. This needs to be improved on.

Why this is necessary:
~ To encourage and grow our entrepreneurs for now, and in the future of our economic community.

~ For the continual positive growth of people (in general), and the progression of mankind.

13.   Is it easy to start a Business in Canada? And are there enough incentives to make it succeed? (Yes/No & Yes/ No)

Yes. & Yes if you know enough information, can research it/ know the right people to ask.

14.   Are there Canadian governmental policies in favour of entrepreneurship that also should be used in other countries? (2 or 3 examples)

Not sure, as I have not done the research to see what other countries have in place for their policies compared to Canada.
My opinion/ best guess:
~ Both the government and start-up businesses/ companies to stay friendly, unbiased/ fair, and willing to brainstorm on a regular basis (per month/ quarter/ year).

~ Be willing to alter/ change any agreed upon ideas if needed, to enable fair treatment to all parties involved.
~ Be willing to act on the agreed ideas in a fair and timely manner.

15.   Extra information about entrepreneurship ( If you wish to add some additional things about entrepreneurship in Canada you can write it here)

My opinion from my experience/ findings through research:

There is a LOT to research on this topic, and the thought of getting “out there” in the business world on your own/ as your own business/ company can be very intimidating – especially when thinking globally. If you know what you want to do, it’s only the first step. There is much to think about, research (research your heart out), learn, and do/ organize to get started. Once this is written/ typed out, it makes things a lot easier. The time to seek resources within the local community is at hand (if not already looking), and a business plan can be developed. More steps will follow after this.
(~*~)
If you can help Pieter-Jan Dierick out, and answer these questions...
Please do and email it to me at chriss.projects@gmail.com, so I can forward it.
Thanks so much!
(~*~)
Until next time...
Take care & Safe travels!
Chris S. (*@^@*)
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