A combination of technology, expertise and the personal touch has led to an innovative business-training program that enables UBC Library and the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre to reach communities throughout British Columbia.
The Small Business Accelerator (SBA), which launched in November 2010 at www.sba-bc.ca, is a gateway to business information for small firms and entrepreneurs throughout the province. It’s also a valuable tool for public and college libraries, community development organizations and other agencies to support their clients, and share resources and expertise.
The result is a free, comprehensive resource to boost business-planning efforts and foster an online community for this crucial segment of the economy. A highlight of the SBA is its range of research guides that provide tailored information for specific industries. The site features more than 50 in-depth guides, developed with the expertise of UBC business librarians and library students, which cover sectors ranging from alternative energy to Web development, landscaping to restaurant retailing, and much more.
Visits to B.C. communities provided the Learning Centre with valuable feedback that was used to help shape the SBA during its development. More visits to organizations throughout the province to provide site training and outreach services are planned for this spring, led by Aleha McCauley, the Community Business Services Librarian.
“I’m really impressed with the SBA so far. What it means to rural would-be entrepreneurs is that they’ll have access to information that everybody takes for granted in large metropolitan areas,” says Larry Jones, a business analyst with Community Futures Terrace, which supports small- and medium-sized companies and community economic development. “This is going to level the playing field quite a bit.”
For more information, please visit www.sba-bc.ca.
Read UBC’s news release on the launch of the Small Business Accelerator program on the UBC Public Affairs website.