Business Plan Template to help you grow your business

At HazloLaw - Business Lawyers we always like to help our clients to grow their business.

Our friends at BDC – (Business Development Bank of Canada) offers a great tool that allows you to set out a roadmap of your business and plan accordingly. The main purpose of this business plan template is to allow you to prepare a professional plan, and take your business to the next level toward growth and success.

As an entrepreneur, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the BDC website simply because they have over 65 years of experience working with entrepreneurs and great resources that put you on the right path for success. It’s free!

Please consult http://www.bdc.ca/EN/advice_centre/tools/business_plan/Pages/default.aspx?ref=hp-by-txt

For more information on the above, call and/or email our Founder & CEO and Business Lawyer, Hugues Boisvert at hboisvert@hazlolaw.com or +1.613.747.2459 x 304

Interesting Read with Respect to Canada's Immigration Policy

There has been quite a bit of controversy with respect to a number of recent changes to Canada’s immigration policy. An interesting and most likely unanticipated consequence of these changes has taken the form of a lawsuit by affluent foreigners, mostly from China, against the Federal Government after the cancellation of the Immigrant Investor Program (IIP). 

The IIP offered “would-be” immigrants permanent residency to those with a net worth exceeding $1.6 million as long as they invested $800,000 into the Canadian government. Seems like a good trade? Well, it did to the 66,000 applicants whose applications were backlogged prior to the Program’s cancellation. 1,500 of them are now asking to either have their applications processed or they will seek compensation in the amount of $5 million per applicant – resulting in over $18 billion in claims. Without disputing the benefits of immigration for Canada, a lawsuit like this one has, at first blush, little merit. From a private law perspective, the obvious argument is that the former availability of the IPP can hardly be considered an “offer” that, if accepted by a foreign applicant, forms a contract between the applicant and the Canadian government. 

From a public law perspective, Canadian courts have been traditionally loathe to find the existence of a duty of care between a government and a private party that could form the basis of a claim in tort. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the conferral of citizenship, which is what permanent residency usually leads to, is an act of sovereign power. The acceptance of the plaintiffs’ claim by the Canadian judiciary would be tantamount to the imposition upon the other branches of government of a legal obligation not to change immigration policies where such change would be detrimental to a potential immigrant. 

This would be not only be taking the government’s duty to provide procedural fairness too far, it also ignores the sovereign nature of citizenship attribution under public international law. 

 For further details on this matter, please refer to the link below:

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/06/06/immigrant-investor-program-lawsuit-canada_n_5455932.html?utm_hp_ref=email_share

15 Things Successful Entrepreneurs Do Every Day:

The most effective entrepreneurs view themselves as assets. They continually invest in themselves and in their future through continuing education and self-improvement. If you want to become a better entrepreneur and successfully grow your business, dedicate time and energy to improve your daily habits. Here are 15 things many business influencers make time for in their busy schedules. 

1. Eat breakfast. To work at your peak performance, your body needs fuel. Rather than just grab a cup of coffee on your way to the office, take a few minutes to eat a meal or drink a protein smoothie — even if it’s on the go. 

  2. Plan your day. First thing in the morning, look at your calendar and prioritize your schedule. If you work best during a specific time of the day, block out those hours for quiet work time. I do my best work in the mornings, so I try to schedule at least 90 minutes to work on my writing before daily distractions begin. While you’re at it, schedule short breaks throughout the day to eat a healthy snack and keep your energy up.    

3. Don’t check email right away. It’s tough not to hop on your smart phone first thing in the morning and see who’s emailed you. Often checking email is a distraction from what you want to focus on early in the day. Try to wait until 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. to check email, after you’ve completed at least one of your critical to-do items. If you’re working on an important project, try not to check your email more than three times a day. 

4. Remember your purpose. Take a few moments at the start of each workday to remind yourself of your company’s goals. Think about your core customer and which areas of your business are most profitable. We oftentimes get caught up in the minutia of daily tasks we lose sight of what brings us happiness and profitability. 

5. Single-task. We live in a world that praises multi-tasking. Unfortunately, when you have too much going on at once you may become distracted by interruptions and unimportant glitches. To be productive and effective, prioritize, delegate whenever possible and focus. 

6. Visualize. It may feel silly, but close your eyes and envision your success. Imagine what you will feel like when you reach your goals. Visualization is a powerful tool and can help you keep your aspirations at the front of your mind. It might also help to post a picture of what you’d like to accomplish. For example, if you’re interested in taking a trip to Paris, post of photo of the Eiffel Tower on your desk. 

7. Say no. Entrepreneurs especially feel pressure to accept every opportunity that comes their way. However, not every opportunity will benefit you or your business. Time is our most valuable commodity. Be selective about what you agree to do. 

8. Value your time. Unlike money, time is a non-renewable resource. There’s simply no way to make more of it. Guard your time and spend it doing the most important things for yourself and your company. Avoid distractions whenever possible. Whether you facilitate or attend a meeting, online or in person, get clear about the start and end time. Whenever someone requests a meeting or consultation with you, try asking for the questions in advance so you can do your research ahead of time. This will keep you on time and on task.

9. Delegate. In the early days of my business, I thought I could save money and do everything myself. Then I realized the small, mundane tasks were taking me away from those things that generated the most income for my business. I was on the fast track to burnout. When you become overwhelmed with work or can’t figure out a solution, hire someone to help. 

10. Listen. Be present when you speak with a colleague or employee. Take the time to fully understand what the other person is saying. Leaders who listen effectively avoid miscommunications and are less likely to have to ask for clarification later. 

11. Show gratitude. Make it a daily habit to sit down and be thankful for all the opportunities you have been given and all the things you’ve accomplished so far. Simply reminding yourself of your past successes will keep you focused, present and productive. 

12. Stand up and move around. Did you know sitting is the new smoking? This car-commuting, desk-bound lifestyle can be harmful to your health. Studies show it raises the risk of disability, diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer and obesity. No matter when you can make time for it during the day, take a few minutes to stand up and take activity breaks every hour or so. It’s good for your body and mind. 

13. Breathe deeply. Many people take shallow breaths. Every hour or so, stand up from your desk, stretch and take 10 deep breaths. The quick break and boost of oxygen will reinvigorate you for your next task. 

 14. Take a lunch break. Get up from your desk and eat lunch elsewhere. If you can’t spare even a moment away from work during the day, make lunch your networking hour. Schedule lunch meetings throughout the week with key clients, professional acquaintances or friends. 

15. Clear your desk. At the end of each day, clear the clutter from your desk. Put away your pens, stack loose paper and straighten other items. A clear desk will give you a clean slate for the next day and prevent you from feeling bogged down by yesterday’s work. 

For more information on the above, please contact HazloLaw Founder & Business Lawyer, Hugues Boisvert at +1.613-747-2459 x 304 or at hboisvert@hazlolaw.com

New Penalties for Businesses that Use Illegal Electronic Sales Suppression Software

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is aware that electronic sales suppression (ESS) software is being marketed and sold to Canadian businesses. As part of its efforts to combat the underground economy, the Government of Canada has introduced new measures to address this problem. ESS software (commonly known as zapper software) is illegal. Designed to work with point of sale systems and electronic cash registers, businesses use this software to knowingly delete part of their sales from their computer records to reduce their GST/HST and income tax obligations. 

Using ESS software offers an unfair advantage to those who use it to circumvent Canada’s tax laws, which in turn undermines the competitiveness of businesses that follow the rules. The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the integrity of Canada’s tax system.

 New measures took effect on January 1, 2014 that allow the CRA to impose civil penalties for designing, using, possessing, acquiring, manufacturing, developing, selling, possessing for sale, offering for sale, or otherwise making available ESS software. These measures also include new criminal offences. 

The new penalties and offences are as follows: Administrative monetary penalties Under the new legislation, businesses that use, possess, or acquire ESS software will face the following administrative monetary penalties:

• $5,000 on the first infraction; and 

• $50,000 on any subsequent infraction. Anyone who manufactures, develops, sells, possesses for sale, offers for sale or otherwise makes available ESS software will face $10,000 on the first infraction, and $100,000 on any subsequent infraction. Criminal offences Under the new legislation, businesses or others that use, possess, acquire, manufacture, develop, sell, offer for sale, or otherwise make available ESS software will now face: 

• on summary conviction, a fine of not less than $10,000 and not more than $500,000, or imprisonment for a term of not more than two years, or both; or 

• on conviction by indictment, a fine of not less than $50,000 and not more than $1 million or imprisonment for a term of not more than five years, or both. 

The CRA is working hard to detect and deter those who choose not to comply with tax laws, so that all income is reported, the proper amount of taxes is paid, and the tax system is fair for everyone. This includes working to identify those who design, use, possess, acquire, manufacture, develop, sell, possess for sale, offer for sale, or otherwise make available ESS software. By discouraging the use of ESS software and penalizing those who continue to use it, the CRA is helping to ensure a level playing field for all businesses and taxpayers. Although customers may not notice if a business is using ESS software, they can still do their part by always asking for a copy of their receipt. If you know of any taxpayer who is not complying with the tax laws, let us know. We will review the information and, when warranted, take appropriate action. For further information and a contact number, go to Informant Leads Program. If you have been using ESS software and want a second chance to correct your tax affairs, you can make things right through the CRA’s Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP). 

The VDP allows taxpayers to correct inaccurate or incomplete information or disclose information they have not previously reported to the CRA. If they make a valid disclosure before they become aware that the CRA is taking action against them, they may only have to pay the taxes owing plus interest. Go to Voluntary Disclosures Program for more information on the program. If your business has been contacted about ESS software or if you have information that could help the CRA identify someone who develops, sells, or uses the software, you are encouraged to contact the CRA Informant Leads Program where you will find information on how to report suspected tax evasion. Get it right from the start—don’t zap! Visit About the underground economy to learn more about what the CRA is doing to address the underground economy. For more information on the new measures to combat the use of ESS software, read the questions and answers or visit Electronic suppression of sales. 

 Please consult the Canada Revenue Agency website should you have any questions or concerns. http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca For more information on the above, please contact HazloLaw Founder & Business Lawyer, Hugues Boisvert at 613-747-2459 x 304 or at hboisvert@hazlolaw.com