Overview
The Entrepreneurship and Technology Advisor will drive the success of
clients of the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre (WRSBC) and
incubator spaces, through coaching and guidance on business concept development, technology solutions, and professional development.
Design, develop and deliver training programs to support entrepreneurs, taking their businesses to the next level. The Entrepreneurship and Technology Advisor will also support the successful adoption and use of appropriate technological solutions for the WRSBC to improve client satisfaction and staff efficiency and increase reach and impact.
Knowledge of municipal, regional, provincial and federal agencies and regulatory agencies and guidelines relevant to industry sectors and small business. Knowledge of government funding initiatives, venture capital and grants for small businesses.
Responsibilities
Advisory
- Provide advice and recommendations regarding eCommerce, social media and digital marketing.
- Provide advice and recommendations for leveraging open-source learning platforms to develop key Technical Skills for employees and owners/operators.
- Utilizes tools such as the Business Model Canvas, design thinking, customer discovery and lean startup principles to iterate small business startup and expansion ideas.
- Review business plans and provide targeted advice/edits prior to funding applications.
- Provide feedback on digital marketing plans and generate an innovative campaign adapting to the digital economy.
- Help entrepreneurs develop, practice, and master professional elevator pitch or demos.
- One-on-one coaching for: professional presentations and communication, projecting ‘Executive’ confidence and demeanor.
- Professional Skills Development Coaching for small business Owners/Startup Executives.
- Provide recommendations for online and local/community resources.
- Provide guidance on localization and go-to-market strategy.
- Facilitate and curate mentors-mentee relationships.
Programming
- Design, develop and facilitate multi-module training programs, across various industries, delivered in conjunction with municipal entrepreneurial incubators and centres across Waterloo Region
- Identifies and recruits subject matter experts for small business startups, growth companies, workshops.
- Plan, organize, and run online educational business and marketing webinars to increase participation and reach community members who cannot attend in-person events.
- Develop an Entrepreneurship Library with recommended resources and readings for entrepreneurs and business owners in different industry sectors, at different stages of business maturity, cultures, gender and age demographics.
Technology
- Learn, become certified, and utilize 3rd party proprietary learning management systems, online/in-person entrepreneur coaching framework.
- Review SaaS pricing models and/or solution proposals from third-party vendors for business owners as requested.
- Understand and evaluate Social Development Goals, Social Finance and Impact Measurement as it relates to Social Enterprise as well as health innovation.
- Develop, source, and execute end-to-end deployment of online learning solution for entrepreneurship educational components.
- Recommend internal technology workflow improvements to WRSBC Manager to drive operational efficiency for staff and improve client satisfaction.
- Maintains CRM records for project outcomes, each client intake, consultation, workshops, events and outreach activity.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education
- Minimum 3-year Degree or Diploma in business or technology related fields.
Experience
- Minimum 2 years’ work experience with demonstrated progressive responsibility.
- Experience working with a Small Business Centre or Regional Innovation Centre as a client, employee, partner, or mentor.
- Experience working with entrepreneurs in different industry sectors, at different stages of business maturity, including social enterprise and diverse populations.
- Experience in corporate, non-profit, or municipal environments.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Knowledge of Waterloo Region business start-up ecosystem and resources.
- Demonstrated experience working with and administering Learning Management Systems, Online Webinar tools, Website development and collaboration software
- Strong Program and Project Management skills with strong demonstrated experience planning and developing high impact programs.
- Exceptional communication skills and proven ability to present to small (5-35) and large (100-1000+) size groups both in-person and virtually.
- Strong knowledge of Learning and Development and Digital Marketing best practices for online and blended learning.
- Experience in global work, or business ownership.
- Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.
