BASEAtlantic Business Business Advisory Services and Entrepreneurship
I founded BASE Atlantic in 2005 following an eight year stint as the founding Executive director of the StFX Enterprise Development Centre. During that time Antigonish became my home base from which I operate BASE Atlantic. The advent of technology has enabled small business to operate from almost any locale. I specialize in working with small business owners and start-ups.
The following is a list of services provided by BASE Atlantic:
BUSINESS PLANNING
In today’s business climate a business without a plan is like a car without an engine. A business plan essential for acquiring necessary funding but more important, it creates a roadmap for the business or organization, whether it’s a start-up or an expansion. Since 1994 I have been teaching the art of business planning and have written and coached hundreds of business plans for a variety of clients in a variety of sectors. My main business today is creating business plans and often assisting my client with the acquisition of funding for their business plans.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Like a business plan, a strategic plan lays out a roadmap for companies and organizations and communicates a common set of goals to principals, investors and employees. Over the last twenty years, I have become a specialist in strategic planning for many organizations including my own.
BRANDING AND VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
I achieved my start as a graphic design student followed by a career in corporate marketing and branding. While I no longer do the actual work I interface with some of the best designers in the region, providing them with the necessary criteria for my clients to ensure an effective and beautiful presentation for their companies. This includes logo design, letterhead and business cards, website, packaging, signage and merchandising displays.
MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGNS
I will develop your concepts based on an understanding of your target markets which is often achieved through market research and analysis of best practices. My clients have the benefit of my 30 years plus of experience. I am also skilled at writing good copy and content based on extracting the most compelling stories from my clients.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
In the course of my career I have designed and implemented hundreds of new products and lines of products. These products have been sold to some of the main retailers in Canada and some in the USA. I help my clients consolidate extensive lines releasing them of inventory burdens that are costly. I also know how to perfect those lines to maximize on their shelf and consumer appeal.
SALES AND MARKETING
Small producers are often challenged in selling to major retailer because their product offerings are limited. It may become essential to seek out sales agencies and showrooms especially for retail markets. Such contractual agreements can be limiting and costly when not properly negotiated. I help my customers navigate the sales and distribution arena to ensure the best possible arrangements for maximum sales and profitability.
PRODUCTIVITY AND PRICING
Pricing and production are inextricably connected. If productivity is not up to standard then pricing is compromised to the point of losing money. I help my clients analyze their present situations and design their products in a way that maximizes productivity.
EXPORT PROSPECTING, PLANNING AND PREPARATION
Atlantic Canada is a limited market with a plethora of small producers. In order to achieve decent revenues, exporting is the major option. I became familiar with exporting to markets in New York and eastern seaboard when I had my own manufacturing company. Today, I work with clients in determining their export planning and strategies taking into account government assistance programs the help reduce the risk.
TRADE MISSIONS AND SHOWS
I have helped dozens of companies get ready for trade missions and trade shows in an effort to maximize sales potential and to benefit fully from the experience and investment. This includes matchmaking with potential clients, assistance with sales presentation materials and pitches and in the case of trade shows, assistance with booth display and design of handouts.
PRODUCT PRICING
Profitability and success is directly related to smart pricing strategies. I shoe my clients how to price their products and how to cross check their pricing strategies with cash flow, break-even and income statement projections.
PUBLIC AND MEDIA RELATIONS
Conventional advertising is prohibitively expensive for small business owners. But cultivating the media can be done at no direct cost and can often yield better results. I help my clients develop media campaigns including the preparation of media kits, press releases and media interviews.
PROJECT FUNDING PROPOSALS
Numerous funding programs are available to support regional economic development that is known to flow from small businesses. It can be overwhelming to navigate the plethora of programs and to ascertain their suitability for the client. Over the years I have acquired the experience and contacts and am able to either coach or write funding proposals for my clients.
BUSINESS BUILDING AND MARKETING COURSES & WORKSHOPS
Since 1994 I have been teaching entrepreneurship and small business practices. I stay up to date on new technologies and opportunities and continue to deliver courses and workshops throughout Atlantic Canada.
ONLINE MARKETING STRATEGIES
After a lengthy engagement with a consortium of Canadian universities I built an online collaborative community for entrepreneurship research and education. Through that experience became well versed on internet based marketing and I continue to build on those skills which I have been conveying to clients and workshops delegates for many years.
SECTORS WHERE I HAVE SPECIALIZED
• Agriculture
• Cosmetics and Toiletries
• Cultural Sector
• Education
• Medical
• Not for Profits
• Quarries and Mining
• Restaurants and Food Services
• Retail
• Tourism
• Value Add Products
MY CURRICULUM VITAE
TESTIMONIALS FROM CRAFTS PRODUCERS
“Tiiu does an exceptional job presenting this course. A very fun, challenging, positive, personable learning experience. She carries a wealth of information and has given me a whole new perspective and focus. A wonderful new start to my new business.” Sharon Montague, Bridgewater
“Solid information, sharing of experiences. Knowing there is a greater potential that is yet unrealized. Passion for product and matching a story, will make a profound difference.” Ruth Rogers, Halifax
“During the fifteen years I have operated my small business I have received promotional materials outlining business development programs. This program is the only highly appropriate program I have encountered. Tiiu Poder delivers relevant material with conviction and sensitivity.” Christie Chaplin Saunders, Chester
“I learned an abundance of business information and gained quite a degree of understanding on how to turn a work of art into a profit. I intend to use the information I obtained and put it into use toward a business idea. From start to finish I can sum up by saying this was a very valuable class and others could certainly benefit from the many aspects and topics covered.” Myrtle Wilnoff, Bridgewater
“The workshop was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative experience. Tiiu is an excellent workshop leader. She is very knowledgeable and experienced in selling her crafts and is able to relate to all the participant’s crafts and has a wealth of practical ideas of how they could be sold and how a product line could be developed. She also had many other real life examples of how many businesses have developed and grown. Tiiu is full of enthusiasm and it becomes contagious and has even the most skeptical participant believing he/she has a niche and can be successful in business as well as in his/her craft. In summary –Tiiu is an excellent teacher.” Marilyn Riley, Bridgewater
“This was an excellent, stimulating workshop that will prove to have profound effects on how I promote myself and my business.” Katherine Sorenson, Bridgewater
“Thank you for a very stimulating, exciting, full-of up to the minute information on marketing strategy for the arts and crafts”. Vera Burns, Cornwallis
“A well organized, thorough presentation. Well researched and sequentially delivered in an interesting and knowledgeable fashion. Great group dynamics that was encouraged and respected by Tiiu. Targeted well to the artist/craftsperson professionals.” Jane Geurts, Instructor, N.B. College of Craft and Design, Fredericton
“Whether you are a beginning craftsperson or an established producer, the information presented is extremely useful. This workshop session is targeted specially for craftspersons and it is so great to be able to discuss with other craftspeople some problems and solutions that are unique to this genre of business. Tiiu is a wealth of information and disseminates freely and invites conservation comfortably. Fabulous!” Shona, Miranda Fish Millinery, Fredericton
“I came into the workshop with what seemed a dream of making a living as an artist; Excited and euphoric, I’m leaving with the ultimate “12 Step” tool”. Andrea Crabbe, Fredericton
“I have a renewed enthusiasm for my business, and now I need to start to practice all that I have learned. It is hard to express how glad I am that I took this workshop series, and how well each one was done. These courses have all been so informative and fun!” Anne Clarke, Fredericton
“I have learned to value my work and profit margins equally. Seeing the success of other artisans encourages me to reach my goals.” Lorraine Buchanan, Instructor, N.B. College of Craft and Design,Fredericton
“I thought I had a handle on the whole “running my own business” thing until I began this course, I then realized I didn’t have a clue. The things I have learned will be very useful if not essential to the running of my business.” Scott Jones, Halifax, NS
“Very inspiring, my brain really began to see my business through a totally new frame. Aspects I had taken for granted now seem like very important messages to send out to our customers.” Rose Murphy, Antigonish, NS
“Tiiu Poder is an exceptional teacher. She creates a positive environment for learning and challenges us into new ways of thinking.” Teresa Dunnigan, Antigonish, NS
“Time well spent for those entering into a new business, or for those in an existing business.” Valerie MacLeod-Beaton, Inverness, NS
“Many times I’ve attended seminars on business planning but the unique presentation of this course has simplified the process and given me a different and more interesting perspective on how to go about it. Things seem much more doable now.” Denise Ubele, Halifax
“Excellent course, that focuses and re-defines what I’m too busy to think about in my business.” Peter Parachnowitsch, Halifax
“ It is a very funny and wonderful, learning adventure.” Pat Bakke, Shubenacadie First Nations, Hants Co.
“Selling yourself is a lifestyle and the artist’s lifestyle is sellable”. Dion Microys, Cornwallis
“Tiiu’s course was informative, fun, and I learned more about the areas that I need to focus my learning and develop skills to greater degree” Elisha Abraham, Cornwallis
Tiiu is a well informed and passionate presenter who makes a difficult topic interesting. She will change how you look at your business. Al Rutherford, Riverworks Studio, New Germany
This workshop was a motivator that provided a path to follow. Pam Frail, Pamelapidary, Halifax
Tiiu has amazing energy and a very positive outlook on creating a successful “craft/art/design” based business. This paired with a lot of solid information has been very helpful. Laura MacLean, Halifax
“I now have the information and tools to be both artistically and financially successful. Thank you!” France Arruda
Tiiu, Thank you so much. You have great energy and you are a fabulous motivator. Today I will decide whether to take myself and my ideas seriously. You have brought me to the place where I must make my own reality check.” Judy MacLean
“This workshop has/will help me get out of my production rut, it gets me moving along and forces me to make clever and make choices.” Pia Skaarer Nielsen
“Tiiu presented marketing in a way that went beyond the business card/press release cookbook approach. The material on innovation and design was particularly inspiring” Stacey Cornelius
