KRIC workshop to help small businesses tackle tech

Workshops to be held in Golden on March 30 and in Cranbrook on March 31.

No matter how large or small your business, technology can give you an edge and help you succeed. The Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council and Community Futures East Kootenay are pleased to offer a cutting-edge technology integration workshop in Golden on March 30 and in Cranbrook on March 31.

“Kevin Erickson from GO Productivity will deliver an eye-opening workshop to help small business people feel more comfortable integrating technology into their businesses,” said Kevin Shepit, KRIC Project Manager. “It’s important people know that tech integration isn’t scary—it’s something you can learn to do and it pays big dividends.”

Rene Ziorio, manager of Content Development & Delivery at GO Productivity, is passionate about how small businesses can use technology.

“When we talk technology, it’s not just the big fancy expensive systems,” Ziorio said. “In a small-business setting, integrating technology can be as simple as implementing an out-of-the-box customer relationship management software to transition away from using spreadsheets or address books. It can also be implementing hardware in the form of cell phones or iPads.”

Productivity is the goal when it comes to integrating different technology into your business. The workshop will cover some ‘productivity basics.’

“Productivity is about doing more with what you already have, and that applies to technology as well,” Ziorio said. “You’ll learn to break down the steps so you can succeed in your implementation with investing your time and dollars wisely.”

Ziorio and the GO Productivity team developed the workshop content with small businesses in mind. “When we started this project, we heard a lot of barriers from small business when it comes to implementing technology,” Ziorio said. “Our approach is to educate companies on the best practices and tools available for them when it comes to technology implementation.

“Technologies will constantly change, so we like to focus on the process of adoption that they can use over and over again. This session provides a high-level overview of this process and will give participants a sense of where to begin, what they are doing right and what areas they have for improvement in their technology implementations.”

These half-day workshops will run from 1-4pm at The Wolf's Den in Golden Monday, March 30, and at the Prestige Resort in Cranbrook on Tuesday, March 31. The $40 registration fee includes snacks and refreshments as well as all workshop materials.

“Golden participants can also attend the free KRIC Business and Beer mixer at the Wolf’s Den from five to seven pm on March 30,” Shepit said. “We encourage you to stick around after the workshop and mingle over appies and drinks.”

For more information or to register, visit kric.ca or contact KRIC at 1-877-505-KRIC (5742).

This workshop is made possible thanks to KRIC’s Premier Sponsor, Community Futures East Kootenay, along with partners Fortis BC, Teck, the City of Kimberley, the Columbia Basin Trust and the Elk Valley Economic Initiative.