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COVID-19 has left a lasting impact on the business community throughout Atlantic Canada. To help businesses on the ground in St. John’s, NL, the St. John’s Board of Trade has partnered with several local organizations to develop and launch an economic recovery program, entitled Main Street. (MainStreetRecovery.ca)
Funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Main Street is a toolkit for businesses to avail of as they rebound from COVID-19 and plan for long-term sustainability. The online toolkit includes access to useful information and subject-matter experts in the areas of employee safety (related to COVID-19), mental health and wellness, marketing, supply chain development, recruitment, and online business solutions.
“COVID-19 has thrown so many challenges at our members. We wanted to do something to provide real, tangible solutions so that business owners were able to access the information they needed to get their business up and running as effectively and safely as possible. We also recognized that COVID-19 accelerated digital adoption, so a significant part of the recovery program had to focus on digital tools and access.”
AnnMarie Boudreau, CEO, St. John’s Board of Trade
AnnMarie Boudreau, CEO, St. John’s Board of Trade
COVID-19 proved that businesses are more resilient and agile when they can reach and serve customers digitally. But there are many challenges associated with building an online presence. That’s why the St. John’s Board of Trade partnered with IGNITE, Startup Zone PEI, and Nova Scotia Business Inc. to launch e-port, a platform to help Atlantic Canadian businesses get online.
Open to any business in any industry, anywhere in Atlantic Canada, e-port is a free service that provides tools and support to build an online presence. From starting a website to implementing e-commerce solutions, e-port makes it easy to understand what your business needs and how to make it happen.
When a user signs up at e-port.ca they complete a short assessment, which forms the basis of a customized task list created by the e-port team. With the task list in hand, users then log into their account and access how-to guides, articles, videos, etc. to develop or enhance their online solutions.
“I signed up for e-port because I wanted to be sure that we were using social media effectively. I also hoped that going through the process would enhance our marketing efforts after a hiatus due to COVID-19. The e-port tools, like the social media challenges, have given us the push we needed to get out there and tell people about the great work we do.”
Dr. Willow Anderson, Principal Consultant and Founder, Mind the Gap Consulting™, St. John’s, NL
(e-port pilot project participant)
Dr. Willow Anderson, Principal Consultant and Founder, Mind the Gap Consulting™, St. John’s, NL
(e-port pilot project participant)
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