Venture Meetup is a forum focused in helping student entrepreneurs at every stage of their business and from every faculty. We bring you stories of successes, struggles and quirks from real industry professionals. Meet-ups will feature a guest speaker, Q&A, followed by general conversation.

The Meetups are open to all SFU students, recent alumni and students from other post-secondary institutions.  Pre-registration is required, at http://www.sifesimonfraser.com/node/193

Reaching your target market with social media

February 2nd

SFU Surrey – 3290
Time: 5:00pm
RSVP: http://www.sifesimonfraser.com/node/193

Guest Speaker:  Kemp Edmonds
Business Consultant for Kempedmonds.com

Kemp is an ambitious, engaged member of the community who is always looking to lend a hand to others and believes in the power of positivity and networking.
Kemp has worked in consumer sales and service in a wide variety of industries including SOYA Marketing and Make It Business. He is focused on integrated marketing communications, business development and growth through the principle of mutual benefit.
Educated through life and BCIT’s Marketing Management program Kemp has a passion for all businesses and their opportunities for success. Kemp specializes in web brand building through audience engagement, organic seo and a belief in the power of social media. He believes that new strategies should fit a company’s current strategy and go further.
Kemp is an open networker who looks forward to speaking and working with you. Kemp believes in the work of non-profit organizations and offers any organization honest consulting for a reasonable rate.

Building your passion into a business

March 2^nd

SFU Burnaby – MBC 2290 – 2292
Time: 5:00pm – Pizza Provided
RSVP: http://www.sifesimonfraser.com/node/193

Guest Speaker:  Graham Buska

BSc. Electrical Engineering, University of Alberta
President of Rayne Longboards http://www.raynelongboards.com/

Graham Buksa is an Engineer by trade and has been coming to terms with his entrepreneurial bloodlines for the past 8 years. While completing a biomedical engineering degree, Graham was president of an award-winning Intelligent Vehicle project, competed nationally in Entrepreneurial Design competitions and completed specialized coursework in quality control systems, management and business development. Not content to take a regular career path, Graham has built an internationally acclaimed longboard business, Rayne Longboards, for the past 5 years. In this time Graham has been the winner of the 2004 Small Business BC business plan competition, built a high-efficiency factory, completed cutting edge R&D in partnership with the National Research Council and has proven himself a force within the international downhill racing community.

Operating a business as a student

March 16^th

SFU Burnaby: MBC 2290 – 2292
Time: 5:00pm – Pizza provided
RSVP: http://www.sifesimonfraser.com/node/193

Guest Speaker:  Minna Van
Simon Fraser University Alumna
Atomic Media, The Network Hub, Urban Bella
www.thenetworkhub.ca

Minna Van is no stranger to running a business while a student. Often referred to as a serial entrepreneur, she started her first programming company – Atomic Media – at age 17.  She later launched Urban Bella, a marketing firm and The Network Hub, a trendy office space providing startups with the resources required launch and operate a successful business.  Minna is also the host and organizer of the Vancouver Entrepreneur and Small Business Meet up, hugely anticipated monthly events.

Resources and Funding for Students

March 30^th

SFU Surrey – 3290
Time: 5:00pm
RSVP: http://www.sifesimonfraser.com/node/193

With an abundance of resources on the web, it isn’t always easy to know where to start. This meetup will feature a variety of guests from different agencies. Each agency focuses on different aspects of helping small and student-run businesses flourish. Whether it be government contract work to alternative methods of funding this meetup provides a door for students to start moving forward with their business.

Moderator: Joshua Zoshi, Saltworks Technologies Inc.

Joshua Zoshi, B.A.Sc (EE), MBA, is the Co-founder of Saltworks Technologies and the contributing developer of Saltworks’ breakthrough process. Joshua started his career as a semiconductor engineer and more recently managed projects for clients in diverse sectors such as energy, oil and gas, and software. Joshua has a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Applied Science and Electrical Engineering from Simon Fraser University.

Funder Reps

NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program:  Hafeez Shaikh, Industrial Technology Advisor

New Ventures BC:  Bob de Wit

Vancouver Angel Technology Network (Vantec):  Bob de Wit
Public Works: Sarah Allin, Communications Officer; Tess Menges, Supply Officer

Organization Descriptions

Saltworks Technologies Inc. is a Vancouver, British Columbia cleantech company. Saltworks’ objective is to provide a sustainable cost effective desalination solution.  The Saltworks team includes professional engineers, MBAs, and experienced project managers that have delivered over $100 million in industrial projects. Saltworks’ board includes senior executives of major TSX-listed companies in the field of energy and engineering as well as successful technology entrepreneurs.  Saltworks is a past winner of New Ventures BC.

The National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) is expanding the Canadian innovation system. We are the Government of Canada’s premiere innovation and technology assistance program, supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises in communities across Canada by providing financial, technological and networking assistance.

New Ventures BC is an annual business plan competition that connects tech entrepreneurs with the tools and resources needed to successfully take their ideas to the marketplace.  Every year over 150 competitors vie over 4 rounds for $300,000 in prize monies. New Ventures BC also offers opportunities to meet mentors, attend seminars, pitch to venture capitalists, and network with legal, marketing, and business professionals.

Public Works and Government Services Canada’s Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) makes it easier for suppliers to access government business opportunities.  This session provides information on how to market to the federal government, how the government does its buying, and how to keep track of opportunities to bid on Canadian government purchases. An introduction to a variety of government information resources is included.
Student Networking and Wrap Up

April 6

SFU Burnaby: MBC 2290 – 2292
Time: 5:00pm – We’ll feed you
RSVP: http://www.sifesimonfraser.com/node/193

Come out one last time for mingle and mixer with all Venture Meetup participants. Get a chance to network with other students, share your ideas and give us some feedback on the types of speakers and topics you’d like to see for Summer 2010.

ABOUT VENTURE MEETUP

Venture Meet-up is co-presented by SIFE Simon Fraser and SFU Venture Connection.

For more information regarding SIFE Simon Fraser and how to participate in community and entrepreneurship projects, please visit www.sifesimonfraser.com

For information on Venture Connection programs to support SFU student entrepreneurs, and a list of all Fall 2009 Venture Meet-ups, visit www.sfu.ca/vc

De La Salle University
Location: Manila
Open to: All SFU disciplines
Disciplines offered: Majority of disciplines
Language of instruction: English
GPA requirement: A minimum 2.67 GPA in the last two terms (minimum 24 units)
Period of study: September – December and/or January – May and/or May – August (full Summer term available)
Useful links: SFU Exchange Credit History
Exchange reports: 2005, 2007

Exchange questionnaires: Summer 2007

CMA Information Session

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is one of Canada’s most integral professional accounting designation. CMAs are strategic leaders in the field of management accounting who also possess leadership competencies in market development, human resources, international competitiveness, and information technologies to achieve business success.

Come learn about the CMA program and explore the many career opportunities that are available with a CMA designation with our speaker, Dayl Booth, Information Officer from CMA BC.

Date: Monday, February 08, 2010
Time: 2:30 – 4:30 PM
Location: WMC 3220
Dress Code: Business Casual

Refreshments will be provided

For more information and to register, click here.

Date: Thursday, February 4, 2010

Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Registration: Please register through Career Network www.sfubusiness.ca/careers

It’s not enough to just send a resume to an employer, most require a cover letter, and if they don’t, you should still send one. Get an edge on the competi­tion by writing one that complements not duplicates, your resume, and one that is effective and tailored to the employer. Recruiters don’t like to read ‘template’ letters. Writing a cover letter often seems like a par­ticularly daunting task, but we can make it easier for you. We’ll look at the various job search letters (cover letters, approach letters, proposals) and discuss when they are used. Then, we’ll give you tips on formatting

Ted Rogers Memorial Conference
“Take risks. Embrace Innovation. Defy the status quo”

The TRMC Committee recommends you to take part in this amazing opportunity to attend the inaugural year of the Ted Rogers Memorial Conference at Ryerson University. This conference will allow delegates from across the country to explore the business style and work ethic that the late Ted Rogers portrayed while interacting with one another to expand their network and their skills.

There are some great events planned including the Ryerson Business Forum – executive keynote luncheon, the DECA Ryerson Bay Street Simulations Case Competition presented by CMA, Corporate Breakout Sessions, and the conference will be closed with a formal Gala.
The CMA case competition will feature cash prizes for the winning groups of 4 people: 1st: $1,200, 2nd: $800, and 3rd: $400.

When? March 4, 2010 – March 6, 2010
Cost? $250 for accommodation and meals during the three day conference
Speakers include…

Nadir Mohamed, President and CEO of Rogers Communications Inc
Tuan Nguyen, President and Founder of Open Space Marketing
Donna Messer, President of ConnectUs Canada
Dr. James Norrie, Co-founder of Lavalife & President of e-Venture Consulting, Inc
Mira Sirotic, Regional Director – GTA West, Certified Management Accountants of Ontario
Leanne Pepper,General Manager of The Faculty Club – U of T

…and more!

For more information, please visit their website at http://ryersontrmc.ca/

What?
CEEC was founded on the core principle of facing environmental issues with innovative solutions by leveraging the skill-set of Commerce, Engineering, and Arts and Science students. Delegates are offered an intimate environment to interact one-on-one with prominent leaders in the industry. This permits an exchange of ideas and develops meaningful relationships between delegates, speakers and corporate partners.

When?
CEEC 2010 will be taking place from Friday March 5th to Saturday March 6th 2010 at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

Registration for CEEC 2010 begins on Monday February 1st and delegate fees cost $95.  The conference sold out in two days last year so make sure you sign up early to secure your place. There are also limited spots reserved for external delegates. Registration for CEEC 2010 is done entirely through our website at www.ceec.ca.

Where?
Portsmouth Harbour and Queen’s University, Kingston ON

Why should I attend CEEC?
CEEC is among the few conferences in Canada that uses a multidisciplinary approach to address environmental issues. Now in its 19th year CEEC has matured into a two-day conference with highlights including: keynote addresses, speaker sessions, the great debate, round table discussions, evening socials, and the annual CEEC Case Challenge.

CEEC draws prominent speakers from an array of different disciplines. CEEC 2009 speakers included: Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party; Bob Willard, author of The Sustainable Edge; and Corey Diamond, President of The Summerhill Group. CEEC 2010 is proud to present: Mike Gerbis, CEO of The Delphi Group; and James Bracken, Senior VP at AltaGas Income Trust to name few. For a full list of our speakers please visit:

http://ceec.ca/wp-content/themes/wp-coda-orange/docs/Speakers_bio.pdf

For a delegate package, please email amn1@sfu.ca

UVLC will guide emerging leaders on a personal journey to discover their goals, skills, aspirations, and strengths. This unique interactive learning experience will help students to identify their leadership style, while acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary to compete in the current and future Canadian business environment.

We invite you to join us for a weekend of exploration to practice the strategies and methods of effective leadership. This conference will bring together aspiring leaders of tomorrow and is an exceptional opportunity for students to learn from and network with peers and distinguished members of the community. In addition, delegates will have the opportunity to take advantage of exploring one of the most beautiful cities in Canada.

When? March 18, 2010 – March 20, 2010
Cost? $305 includes accommodation and meals

UVLC presents numerous keynote speakers, workshop presenters, workshop sessions, as well as interactive sessions for its delegates!

For more information, please visit www.uvlc.ca

The University of Waterloo Accounting Conference (UWAC) promotes the accounting profession and provides students with invaluable experiences that would provide them with the knowledge and understanding of the accounting profession. Our delegates will also be able to experience real-life case challenges, engaging workshops, stimulating and relevant speakers, as well as opportunities to build connections with industry professionals and other students.

The SAO office will provide up to a $250 subsidy to the successful candidates who are selected. Please fill in the attached application and forward it to Melissa-Sue Read at mar2@sfu.ca by 4:00pm – March 15. If you are selected, you must go in to register and then be reimbursed upon your return.

The word strategy can be defined as a plan, method or series of action for obtaining a specific goal or result. Thus, strategic management is the practice of directing and controlling company strategies. In any business, strategic management is vital to a company’s performance as it encompasses three major processes – planning, implementation, and evaluation. Planning is required to outline the overall goals of a company. Implementation is needed to develop the methods of how goals will be achieved. Lastly, evaluation is necessary to measure the success of the plan and whether company goals have been met.

Each year, UWAC collaborates with companies around the world to engage its delegates in a case competition based on real life scenarios. In 2008, the case competition centered around Virgin Mobile and in 2009, we worked with Better Place. The aim of this competition is to test our delegates on their ability to think critically, work in a team setting, and present their ideas to industry professionals who will be providing insight on their innovative ideas.

When? April 30, 2010 – May 2, 2010
Where? Waterloo, Ontario
Cost? $200 including meals and accommodation

Speakers include:

• Colleen Johnston, Group Head Finance and CFO, TD Bank Financial Group
• Bill Thomas, CEO, KPMG LLP
• Peter William Greenwood Group Executive Director – Strategy – China Light and Power (CLP) Holdings
• Rozanne Reszel, President and CEO, Canadian Investor Protection Fund
• Andy Thibodeau, Nationally Renowned Motivational Speaker

For more information, please visit www.uwac.ca

In the body of your cover letter, you should focus on explaining how you are qualified for the position and why you are right for the job. You want to highlight your qualifications, which are related to the job, by using SPECIFIC examples that can demonstrate your key skills. Use action verbs to qualify and quantify, be concise, and don’t draw attention to what you don’t have. For example, don’t say ‘While I don’t have many years of experience, I have strong communication skills.’ Avoid focusing on what YOU want or will gain. Focus on how the COMPANY/ORGANIZATION will benefit from your skills. Here is an example to demonstrate creativity and marketing skills: ‘As an intern for Blue Clothing Ltd., I helped create and edit online marketing materials that led to an increase in sales of 22%. I also provided recommendations to senior managers for advertising material.’