Talking Trends to Manitoba’s SMEs

Manitoba’s economy relies on the success of SMEs. Last week, Canada celebrated SMEs during the Bank of Development of Canada’s Small Business WeekTM. Hundreds of events, workshops, seminars and networking opportunities took place across the country. 

This year, the World Trade Centre Winnipeg invited Manitoba’s small business community to take part in an engaging event with keynote speaker Duncan Stewart, Director of Technology, Media and Telecommunications Research for Deloitte Canada.

Stewart addressed a sold-out crowd during the event which officially kicked off Small Business WeekTM in Manitoba. “I’m always pleased to have the opportunity to address the Manitoba business community,” explained Stewart. “I think a key trend covered related to future wireless networks, especially in the gap between city and rural users. New developments in machine learning and AI are also important, and demographic trends around device usage surprised many: millennials are sometimes mobile first, but they are not yet mobile only, with computer use for online activities being bigger than smartphones for many 18-36 year olds,” he adds.

Mariette Mulaire, President and CEO of the WTC Winnipeg adds, “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They are the leaders who lay the ground work for growth which leads to expansion and trade. Being a World Trade Centre, we are connected globally and can offer those opportunities for growth to our local business community.”

Canadian SME Statistics
• 98% of Canadian businesses are SMEs
• 70% of total private labour force are employed by small businesses
• 30% of the gross domestic product (GDP) was contributed by small businesses
• 25% of Canadian export goods were exported by SMEs
• 15% of SMEs are owned by women entrepreneurs

Source: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/061.nsf/vwapj/KSBS-PSRPE_June-Juin_2016_eng-V2.pdf/$file/KSBS-PSRPE_June-Juin_2016_eng-V2.pdf